Pupils ‘could have been killed by school defects’

● Poor building standards blamed ● Report warns of further problems

Children could have been killed as a result of “fundamental” construction faults which saw a nine-tonne wall collapse and other widespread school closures in Edinburgh, an official report into the scandal has found.

It warns that similar building problems are likely to be widespread across Scotland after the closure of 17 schools in the capital last year.

New national guidance is now to be issued to all public sector bodies after the findings of the report by building expert Professor John Cole, with the Scottish Government warning that non-compliance will be “totally unacceptable.”

Checks found construction defects at 17 schools across Edinburgh following the collapse of a wall at Oxgangs Primary in the capital following storm force winds last January.

Profcolesaid:“thatwasnine tonnes of masonry which fell had it fallen a few hours later it potentially could have led to fatalities among children or teachers at the school.”

Around 7,500 pupils, many preparing for exams, and more than 600 staff had to be relocated while the schools were closed for inspections and repairs.

Prof Cole published the damning findings of his independent inquiry yesterday which found steel rods which were intended to strengthen the wall at Oxgangs against high winds were not fitted properly. Later checks revealed more than 400 similar failures, with poor construction standards behind the problems, according to the report.

There was also a lack of supervision to pick up on bad practice. The fact that the same problems were emerging despite different contractors and sub-contractors being involved suggests these defects are likely to be widespread across Scotland, Prof Cole added.

“That says it’s something not just here in Edinburgh in schools,” he warned.

The report found problems with buildings in Dundee, Angus, Stirling, Glasgow and South Lanarkshire.

Local government minister Kevin Stewart has written to all councils in Scotland about the findings of the report.

“I have underlined the importance of adhering to building regulations, technical standards and the inspec-

0 A collapsed wall at Oxgangs Primary School in Edinburgh tion processes which are in place to protect the public,” the minister said.

“Robust guidance will also be provided to public sector bodies in Scotland on the findings of the report to ensure these are immediately reflected within their asset inspection and management strategies. I have been clear with local authorities that any instance of non-compliance is completely unacceptable.”