Pupils ‘enjoying’ life at their temporary home

Our Lady’s youngsters forced out of their classrooms over safety concerns

Morale remains high among Our Lady’s RC Primary School pupils despite facing weeks out of their classrooms after they were declared unsafe.

Local councillor John Rebbeck said senior pupils had adapted swiftly to life in their temporary home on the North Inch Community Campus.

Far from feeling all at sea, he said they were enjoying the novelty of their modern new surroundings at St John’s RC Academy.

Mr Rebbeck, until recently himself a member of the school’s parent council, said pupils and their families appreciated the need for health and safety to be paramount.

And he praised the council’s education department for its swift response to the issues discovered at the ageing Letham building.

Our Lady’s entire classroom block was closed after defects were discovered within the ceilings of at least one room.

Older pupils have been found a new home at St John’s RC Academy, while nursery and P1-3 youngsters have been temporarily accommodated within other parts of their school.

Perth and Kinross Council has stressed that the steps are “precautionary” and that there was no risk to the safety of pupils.

“When structural defects were initially found, the education department moved very swiftly and I think they are due credit for that,” Councillor Rebbeck said.

“Pupils were immediately moved to temporary classrooms elsewhere within the school building, such as the gym hall and dining hall.

“Investigations soon saw some of the classrooms deemed unsafe and more long-term arrangements were put in place.

“Obviously the overall situation is not ideal but parents understand that health and safety takes precedence.

“The official position is that pupils will be absent from their classrooms for two to three weeks, but I feel that they are unlikely to return before the summer.

“I think the kids are quite enjoying the change of scenery and the new building and facilities on the North Inch Community Campus.”

A full review of the school estate in Perth and Kinross is scheduled to begin in 2018.

In addition to the creation of a new secondary school at Bertha Park, works are under way to create replacement buildings at Kinross and Tulloch.

A fresh strategy is also being drawn up for deteriorating schools such as primaries at Aberuthven, Forteviot, Methven, North Muirton and Ruthvenfield as well as Perth High and Pitlochry High.

The repair bill is thought to run into tens of millions of pounds.

The review will, however, also look at wider issues such as the capacity of schools and whether they are in the right place.

The official position is that pupils will be absent from their classrooms for two to three weeks, but I feel that they are unlikely to return before the summer. COUNCILLOR JOHN REBBECK

Picture: Kris Miller. Defects have been found in the ceilings of Our Lady’s Primary School in Perth.