A 16-year-old boy was taken to hospital after his behaviour concerned staff at Fettes College in Edinburgh
A pupil at a prestigious private school has been expelled after he turned up for Sunday chapel on ecstasy.
The 16-year-old was taken to hospital after his behaviour concerned teachers at Fettes College in Edinburgh.
It was later revealed that he had got the pills while spending an afternoon away from £33,000-a-year independent school, in the city centre.
He recovered before being released and reported to police after more of the class A drug was understood to have been found in his room.
In a statement, headmaster Geoffrey Stanford said: ‘The use of a class A substance has shocked both pupils and staff.
‘We are, however, in no way complacent and know this is a national issue. It is one which we treat very seriously.’
The school, which counts former Prime Minister Tony Blair among its past pupils, was revealed as the most expensive independent school in Scotland last month.
The boarding pupil involved in last Sunday’s incident had only been at the school just over a week – joining at the beginning of the autumn term on August 30.
His parents, thought to be in Russia, were contacted in connection with the incident.
It was later revealed the boy had got the pills while spending an afternoon away from £33,000-a-term independent school, in the city centre (file photo)
The school sought to reassure parents this week that it operated a zero tolerance policy towards drugs.
Mr Stanford added: ‘We do a great deal of robust pro-active education with children through PSE lessons, in houses and through tutorial sessions.
‘We emphasise and highlight the dangers associated with drugs as well as the consequences of their use.
‘Anyone who buys, uses or distributes an illegal substance should expect to leave the school, irrespective of whether this takes place on campus or off.’
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair is among the notable students to have attended Fettes
Parents of children at the school are said to be shocked that class A drugs were involved – and have backed the school’s handling of the incident.
Fettes was rocked by a drug scandal in 2009 when four pupils were expelled and a further 15 suspended for smoking cannabis.
In 2002, three sixth-form pupils were expelled for also smoking cannabis.
And last May, four boys were kicked out after an off-campus drink and drugs binge believed to have included cannabis and a legal high called Snooze.
A police spokeswoman said officers are aware of the alleged incident and are investigating.