Dalintober ceiling collapse could have been a ‘tragedy’
A collapsed ceiling at Dalintober Primary School could have resulted in a ‘tragedy’ according to a source at the school – and it comes less than a year after an Argyll and Bute councillor’s concerns about the condition of the building were dismissed by officials.
The school’s senior students have had to be relocated to Campbeltown Grammar School, and the younger pupils moved to the senior pupils’ classrooms, after suspended ceiling tiles were knocked into a classroom by a piece of fallen plaster from the actual ceiling above.
More than 10 classrooms in the oldest part of the school, which was built in the 19th century, have had to be evacuated as a ‘precautionary measure’ while ‘further checks are carried out’ to ensure the ceiling is secure in other areas.
The situation was discovered on Monday January 27, having occurred over the weekend while no children were in the building.
The school source said: ‘The ceiling came down where children could have been standing if it happened during the week rather than at the weekend. It could have been a real tragedy.’
The school’s head teacher, Caroline Armour, posted a statement on social media in which she said: ‘I apologise for any inconvenience caused but, as I am sure you will understand, the safety of our children and young people is our priority. By making these short-term arrangements we are also ensuring that our children continue to access their education.’
Councillor Donald Kelly raised the issue of the school’s ‘crumbling’ condition at a council meeting in June last year, where he said: ‘I want to inform the council that the school is in a terrible condition. The fabric of that building is still in the 20th century. My colleagues and I have been invited to visit and
found the condition to be disgraceful.
‘Our children are coming up to the 21st century in terms of education standards but the building is living in the 20th century.’
But Douglas Hendry, the council’s executive director of customer services, said at the time: ‘I don’t accept any comments about parts of the building being disgraceful.
‘It is fit for purpose and is delivering education to a high standard.’
This week Argyll and Bute Council’s policy lead for education Councillor Yvonne McNeilly said: ‘The allegations made by Councillor Kelly that Dalintober Primary School is ‘crumbling’ are ludicrous. This is simple scaremongering of the worst possible kind.
‘The Kintyre councillors, including Councillor Kelly, were briefed on the situation at Dalintober Primary School last week by myself and the chief education officer. I advised them that if they had any concerns they were more than welcome to get in touch with me, as my door is always open. To date I’ve not heard anything from any of them.
‘I would like to thank our education and property services teams for working extremely quickly to make alternative arrangements for the children, in order to ensure they continue to receive their education.’
Speaking to the Courier, Councillor Kelly said: ‘Thankfully no one was injured as a result of this incident.
‘If the council had taken my concerns seriously more than seven months ago when I first raised this issue we might not be in this position.
‘The fact that the ceiling collapsed at the weekend was a blessing in disguise otherwise this could have resulted in a child or a member of staff being seriously injured.
‘Dalintober is an old school which requires considerable work to be carried out on it both externally and internally. The recent incident, in my opinion, coupled with other capital work which is required, makes a strong case for a new school to be considered.
‘I have written to the director of education, Douglas Hendry, requesting that a full structural survey is carried out on the school and is reported to the council as a matter of urgency.’
It is hoped that all pupils will be able to return to Dalintober on Monday, February 17, after the February break.