Three Edinburgh schools to re-open on Tuesday

THREE city primary schools are set to reopen next week as planned after the council announced remedial works have now come to an end.

Work is carried out on Oxgangs Primary School. Picture; Toby Williams

Pupils at Oxgangs Primary, St Peter’s Primary and Braidburn School will return to their classrooms as normal on Tuesday, after travelling to alternative premises for lessons over the past month.

According to the city council, all work carried out by the Edinburgh Schools Partnership (ESP) and their contractors has now been completed, and documentation has been checked by independent structural engineers, appointed by the council.

The schools were among 17 that were suddenly closed at the beginning of April due to safety fears - sparked by a wall that was blown down at Oxgangs Primary during Storm Gertrude.

Construction issues were discovered in the schools which were built or refurbished under the public private partnership (PPP) 1 agreement and then managed by the Edinburgh Schools Partnership (ESP).

Andrew Burns, city council leader, said the re-opening was welcome as work continues on other schools.

“I am sure the parents at these three schools will be relieved to see their children back at their own schools next week.

“It has been a very difficult time for everyone and I want to thank parents for their patience and understanding.

“Staff at the schools and across the Council have pulled out all the stops to ensure our young people’s education could continue and they deserve praise for their commitment and flexibility.

“Our priority has always been the safety of our pupils and staff and we have insisted that Edinburgh Schools Partnership and their contractors take a belt and braces approach to these works and associated paperwork.

“This approach has also been reviewed by an independent expert on behalf of the council.

“I hope parents will take comfort from the level of rigour we have applied and insisted upon throughout.

“The remedial work at the remaining schools is on track with five due to reopen in June and the remaining nine by the middle of August for the start of the new term.

“If we can bring forward any of these dates, we will.”

Firrhill High, Royal High, Drummond Community High, Broomhouse Primary and St Joseph’s Primary are all expected to reopen in June.

The remainder are on course to reopen after the summer holidays in August.

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