Oxgangs Primary still closed due to Storm Gertrude damage

OXGANGS Primary School is set to remain closed tomorrow after hundreds of bricks were blown from one of its walls during Storm Gertrude.
Damage to Oxgangs Primary School. Picture: Toby WilliamsDamage to Oxgangs Primary School. Picture: Toby Williams
Damage to Oxgangs Primary School. Picture: Toby Williams

Dramatic photos taken on Friday showed the outer cladding stripped bare across a large section – with a huge crack zig-zagging down another wall.

In a letter to parents, Andy Gray, the council’s head of schools, said today’s high winds had hampered repairs, but insisted he was “very hopeful” the primary would reopen on Wednesday.

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He said: “As you will appreciate, the safety of pupils and staff is paramount.

“At the weekend structural engineers visited the school and inspected the building. Following their visit, remedial works continue to ensure that the entire building is safe.

“This work has been hampered by the strong winds today which means the school needs to remain closed on Tuesday.

“The weather forecast indicates the winds will abate to allow for high level works to take place on Tuesday.

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“I am very hopeful the school will open on Wednesday, however there will be a site meeting on Tuesday afternoon to confirm the situation.

“I will ensure you are informed about the outcome of that meeting as soon as it is concluded.

“The City of Edinburgh Council is very sorry for the inconvenience this matter is causing for pupils and their families and we are grateful for your patience.”

The primary, which was destroyed by a fire in 2001, was rebuilt just a decade ago under a public-private partnership agreement between the council and service provider Amey.

Last week, council bosses confirmed all 17 of Edinburgh’s Amey-run schools, known as “PPP1 schools”, would be checked over by contractors for safety issues in the wake of the damage.

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