There’s no break for the Easter holidays in our schools as planned repairs and maintenance work continues in dozens of education settings across Edinburgh.
All the upgrade work taking place is part of a major £193 million maintenance programme to improve the condition of the buildings.
Improvements taking place during the Easter holidays include:
- Classroom upgrades and new windows at Craigentinny Primary School
- Replacement ceilings in the kitchen and changing areas of St Mark’s RC Primary School and new lighting
- Ceiling replacement in classrooms and re-roofing works as part of the £3.3 million investment at Balerno High School
The programme of works and upgrades being carried out is significantly larger than in previous years. This is as a direct result of decisions in previous budgets for additional investment in the Council estate with the majority of the work taking place in schools.
For some schools the Easter works form part of a major programme to address a backlog in maintenance requirements identified through condition surveys carried out across the estate.
Major projects in our Capital Investment Programme will also continue during the Easter break. These include several new build and early years projects including the new Frogston Primary School, replacement Castlebrae High School and new nurseries at Granton and Nether Currie Primary Schools.
All the work being carried out is in line with the latest Scottish Government and health guidance regarding Covid-19.
Councillor Rob Munn, Finance and Resources Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said:
The Council is investing £193m over five years on this major maintenance, repair and upgrade programme across the city. We’re making positive progress in bringing our whole school estate up to a good condition through this project. Our financial commitment is a clear sign of our determination to ensure the quality, safety and future sustainability of all our buildings.
It’s not just in schools where we’re focussing our energies as Mortonhall Crematorium has seen a £430,000 refurbishment completed. This included re-roofing the Pentland Chapel, upgrades to sanitary facilities, heating and lighting and the important re-glazing of the Main Chapel and Pentland Chapel. Much-needed investment like this project will continue as we bring our buildings up to a good condition.
Councillor Ian Perry, Education Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said:
Education is a key priority for the Coalition and upgrading and improving our schools is an important strand of work to deliver the best learning environment for our young people especially when they have been out of school for so long during the pandemic.
In addition to the repairs and maintenance we’re also driving ahead with our Capital investment programme. Work will be continuing over Easter on our new nurseries, primary and high schools as part of the £500m planned investment over the next 10 years for our ambitious new school building programme.