THE First Minister has visited a Scottish primary school after it was hit by “an unprecedented series of sectarian attacks”.
Scottish Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw, who represents Eastwood at Holyrood, had raised the attacks on St Joseph’s Primary School, in Busby, with John Swinney last week.
The Catholic school had been hit by sectarian graffiti and children’s play areas were set on fire in two separate arson attacks.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions last Thursday, Carlaw said: “I've been appalled in the last few weeks at an unprecedented series of attacks, sectarian attacks targeted on St Joseph's Primary School in Busby in my Eastwood constituency.
“The buildings have been sprayed with offensive, sectarian, discriminatory graffiti. The outdoor play area was set on fire and there was a further arson attack on a children's area just this last weekend.
“The school community have been left stupefied and naturally distressed.”
The First Minister said it was wrong for the school to have been “targeted with completely and utterly unacceptable behaviour, which never had any place in Scottish society, and it certainly doesn't have any place in Scottish society in 2025”.
Swinney offered to visit the primary alongside Carlaw, saying it would be an “indication of my warm appreciation of the strength of the school and what it does for the children of that community”.
Carlaw, the former Scottish Conservative leader, said on social media that it had been “great to welcome John Swinney to St Joseph’s Primary School”.
He added: “After such a difficult time for pupils, parents and staff it’s encouraging to see such a unified response.”
First Minister John Swinney said: “I was grateful to Jackson Carlaw, other local politicians and representatives from nearby schools for joining me in a show of support for St Joseph’s Primary School after it was subjected to mindless acts of bigotry and vandalism. Despite the circumstances, it was lovely to meet pupils and teachers from what is clearly a thriving educational community.
“There is absolutely no place in our society for bigotry – that was the clear message I wanted to send by visiting St Joseph’s. The Scottish Government will continue to build a society where people feel and are safe in their communities.”
The primary gave a “huge St Joseph's thank you to the First Minister for visiting our school today to show his support”.
A huge St Joseph's thank you to the First Minister @ScotGovFM for visiting our school today to show his support. pic.twitter.com/son2gUJkps
— St Joseph's Primary (@StJosephsERC) March 31, 2025
It added: “Well done to our community schools for standing united against vandalism and anti social behaviour in our community.”
Previously, Police Scotland Chief Inspector Gillian Faulds said of the case: "We are investigating a number of recent incidents concerning damage at school premises in the Busby area.
"I'd like to reassure the public we’re doing everything we can to trace those responsible and have increased patrols as a deterrent and for community reassurance. We are also working closely with our partner agencies to explore all lines of investigation.
"If you have witnessed suspicious activity in the area I would urge you to contact police on 101, attend at your local police station, or call 999 in an emergency. I would encourage anyone with any information to contact 101 or alternatively Crimestoppers."
