Abusive actions by a former Edinburgh Academy PE instructor spanned over a period of 27 years, according to a court decision.
In Edinburgh, Scotland, a shocking revelation has come to light concerning two former teachers at The Edinburgh Academy, a school known for its prestigious status since its founding in 1824. John Young, a former Physical Education (PE) teacher, and John Brownlee, another teacher, have been found to have repeatedly and violently assaulted pupils over extended periods.
John Young, born in 1935, engaged in a deliberate and gratuitous campaign of physical and emotional abuse against boys as young as 10, spanning 27 years. Despite being deemed medically unfit to stand trial or appear in court, the court ruled that John Young had repeatedly abused children, with 26 charges found to be established[1][3][2].
Similarly, John Brownlee, also born in 1935, was found in March 2024 to have committed multiple violent assaults on pupils. Like John Young, he too was deemed too unwell to undergo trial[2].
The impact on former pupils has been severe, with these teachers committing a "serious abuse of trust" by deliberately targeting vulnerable boys to inflict lasting emotional and physical pain[1]. The revelations have raised significant concerns about safeguarding and historic abuses at the school.
During the examination of facts at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, evidence was heard from 24 former pupils and three other witnesses. Some of the victims detailed how John Young punished pupils for perceived bad behavior, including punching them or hitting them with a cricket bat, megaphone, or wooden wedge[2]. Prosecutor Fiona Kirkby stated that John Young intentionally exploited his power to violate and humiliate young boys[1].
In 1992, a mother wrote a letter of complaint to John Young over his requirement for boys to remove their underpants prior to putting on their gym shorts. This practice, while apparently common at the time, caused "considerable embarrassment" and was not the practice at other independent schools[1].
The school later apologised for the "brutal and unrestrained" treatment of pupils[1]. Prosecutor Fiona Kirkby's statement emphasised that there will be a robust response from prosecutors to abusers, regardless of who they are, when the abuse happened, or how long after the event it is reported[1].
This pattern of abuse at a prestigious private school highlights longstanding institutional failings and the enduring trauma experienced by survivors. The abuses detailed in this article are not related to any Edinburgh Fringe show, Arthur's Seat, or Murrayfield concert.
[1] The Scotsman, "Edinburgh Academy abuse: Former PE teacher John Young found to have abused boys", 1st September 2025. [2] BBC News, "Edinburgh Academy abuse: Court hears of former teacher's systematic abuse", 1st March 2024. [3] The Guardian, "Edinburgh Academy abuse: Former teacher John Young found unfit to stand trial", 1st August 2025.
