Fire-hit school could be closed for year as demolition begins
A fire-ravaged Fife secondary school could be closed for a year, it emerged yesterday. as efforts continue to find spaces fore nearly 1,400 displaced pupils.
Work will begin today to demolish parts of Dunfermline’s Woodmill High that were worst affected by Sunday evening’s blaze, after its headteacher admitted areas of the building were “not salvageable.”
Amid ongoing debate about where the school’s pupils will be taught, local councillors have been told the site may not be able to welcome children until the start of the next school year next August.
It is anticipated that in the short term, pupils are likely to be distributed among other secondary schools in Fife.
S5 and S6 pupils at Woodmill High were told earlier this week that they will recommence their studies off site from Monday, while younger pupils across S1 to S4 will be updated later today as to when and where they will be able to go back to lessons.
Headteacher Sandy Mcintosh said: “There are parts of the building that we won’t be able to salvage and demolition contractors are taking control of the site. The community should therefore be prepared for demolition starting on the DAS wing imminently as we start to make the site safe.”
Mr Mcintosh said he hoped that year groups will be able to be accommodated together, within facilities in west Fife by the end of next week.
He added: “Things are still moving forward with arrangements for our school community.
“There are parts of the building that we won’t be able to salvage and demolition contractors are taking control of the site from tomorrow.”
A 14-year-old boy has been charged with wilful fireraising to danger of life following the fire.
The teenager, who cannot be named due to his age, made no plea and was bailed at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Tuesday.