Girls' private school music director sacked over alleged concerning behaviour in Aberdeen

A leading Aberdeen school has sacked their director of music after a probe into allegations of “concerning behaviour”.

St. Margaret’s School for Girls carried out a “substantial internal investigation” into director of music Peter Parfitt.

The school kept police informed of the investigation, and their findings have been shared with authorities.

A spokesperson for St. Margaret’s School for Girls said: “At St Margaret’s we are committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for our pupils, and the school takes any concerns brought to them very seriously.

“After a substantial internal investigation, the director of music Mr Parfitt has been dismissed and the relevant regulatory bodies have been informed.

“At St Margaret’s we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of care and teaching and our absolute priority is the well-being of our pupils.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware by a school in Aberdeen about the concerning behaviour of a member of staff.

“The school conducted an internal investigation and officers were kept informed.

“Any information police receive in relation to this will be investigated thoroughly.”

Mr Parfitt was appointed by St Margaret’s in 2007, and was made musical director of the Aberdeen Bach Choir (ABC) in 2010. Prior to these, he held teaching posts in Winchester, Hampshire, London, and East Sussex.

St Margaret’s is the oldest all-through girls’ school in Scotland after being founded in 1846.

Their website states that the school provides a “supportive and welcoming environment, where we strive to support each girl to achieve her potential in both the curricular and extra-curricular life of the school.”