The City of Edinburgh Council has confirmed new arrangements for some pupils affected by the recent school closures which the council says will improve the contingency arrangements for some pupils.

The P6 and P7 pupils from Oxgangs Primary School who are currently relocated on a short term basis to temporary classrooms at Wester Hailes Education Centre will move to alternative classrooms in Niddrie Mill Primary School from Wednesday 27 April onward.

The Council says it is responding to concerns raised by some parents regarding the temporary classrooms at Wester Hailes. As a return date to Oxgangs Primary is still to be confirmed, officers have identified a more sustainable solution at Niddrie Mill Primary School, which provides a more appropriate teaching environment for primary age children.

A review of bus timetabling for S1-S3 Craigmount and Gracemount High School pupils is also being carried out to address concerns about the length of the school day and parents will be updated when this is complete.

Alistair Gaw, Acting Executive Director of Communities and Families, said: “We have responded to concerns raised by some parents and new arrangements for Oxgangs P6 and P7 pupils have been put in place within a primary school environment at Niddrie Mill Primary.

“In addition we are also reviewing bus timetables with the aim of extending the school day for secondary school pupils.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments to arrangements as required. These arrangements are temporary, and we continue to press Edinburgh Schools Partnership for further information about the PPP1 schools.

“We recognise this has been a challenging time for parents and pupils and I’d like to thank them for their patience and support. I’d also like to pay tribute to teachers across the city for their dedication and professionalism in responding to the situation, and helping make the alternative arrangements work in practise.”

Phyllis Stephen
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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.