Published on 11 April 2016

We anticipate that parents, carers and local residents will be aware that some Edinburgh schools are currently closed while structural investigations are carried out.

We confirm that none of our school buildings were built by the same contractor responsible for the Edinburgh PPI schools in question and we would like to take the opportunity to stress our continued commitment to ensuring the safety of everyone using school buildings in Midlothian.

Maintenance building inspections of all our schools are carried out on an ongoing basis.  A full survey of our school estate was completed after the tragic incident at Liberton High School in Edinburgh.  No structural issues were identified.  We have had two independent condition surveys carried out at our PPP1 schools (Dalkeith Schools Community Campus) in the last three years and annual independent condition surveys are carried out at our PPP2 schools (8 primary schools).  In addition to this, Midlothian Council and PPP Facilities Management staff have an ongoing monitoring regime in place to ensure that any defects are identified and addressed. This includes inspections and monthly meetings with senior school staff and our PPP contractors.

Further inspections of our own estate also started in March 2016, in response to the situation in Edinburgh, and are due to finish on Tuesday 12 April.  A formal process is in place which allows immediate repairs to a school building, including isolating the area if there are health and safety concerns.

The safety of our pupils, staff and building users are our highest priority and if anyone has any concerns please don’t hesitate to contact:

• communications@midlothian.gov.uk
• or call 0131 271 3294.

http://www.midlothian.gov.uk/news/article/1986/statement_regarding_our_school_buildings