Pupils and staff from Liberton Primary School will be returning to lessons tomorrow (Wednesday 19 February) following the fire at their school two weeks ago.
Alternative arrangements have been put in place for over 500 pupils at nearby schools with the P7s remaining on the school site in their own classrooms.
Coaches are being provided for the pupils and staff to take them to Castleview Primary, Prestonfield Primary and Castlebrae High School.
The City of Edinburgh Council is planning for everyone to be back on the Liberton Primary School site after the Easter holidays.
It has been an enormous logistical exercise for the Council to decant the pupils with accommodation identified within 48 hours of the fire. Some of the statistics include:
- 100 coach journeys every week of the decant
- 100 boxes filled with 2,700 stationery items/educational material for pupils
- Over 550 tables and chairs
- 12 interactive white boards, 34 new laptops and 40 i-pads
Even the school’s tropical fish tanks have been on the move as they are being looked after by staff and residents at the neighbouring Inch View Care Home until the school reopens after the Easter holidays.
Paul Ewing, Head Teacher at Liberton Primary School, said: “The past two weeks has been a very difficult period for our school community but everyone has rallied round so pupils only missed four days of teaching.
“We have a really dedicated team at our school and staff have been working flat out to get their classrooms ready for tomorrow. We appreciate all the support we have been getting at the three receiving schools who have been really welcoming.”
Education Convener Councillor Ian Perry said: “Finding alternative accommodation for over 500 pupils and staff has been a very complex operation but everyone has risen to the challenge of getting the pupils back into education as soon as possible. We will make sure we monitor closely how the new arrangements are working and adapt our plans if necessary.”
Education Vice Convener Councillor Alison Dickie said: “I’m sure pupils, staff and families will be pleased that their children are back at lessons tomorrow. Thanks must go to the Council teams who worked hard to pull these plans together, neighbours of the school such as Inch View Care Home and Inch House for their support, all the teachers and schools involved in new arrangements and not least the parents themselves.”
The Liberton Primary School Association has been kept regularly updated on arrangements. Parents have been sent regular messages and directed to the Council website for the latest information.
Structural engineers are continuing their assessment of the fire-damaged building. The cause is being investigated by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
Further updates will be issued to parents and posted on the school’s website.
ENDS.