When opening the newest secondary school in the capital, the Minister for Higher and Further Education and Science, Shirley-Anne Somerville was one of three government ministers doing the same thing across the country.

Education Minister John Swinney was in Dundee and the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was in Largs, all three opening new school buildings.

Minister for Higher and Further Education and Science Shirley-Anne Somerville with headteacher David Dempster

Boroughmuir is a very special building. We already had a look at it in 2016 and knew it would have a fabulous atrium. Today it housed all pupils and staff as well as invited guests for the official opening ceremony.

Shirley-Anne Somerville said : “This is one of three high schools all opening on the same day in Scotland.

“But it is what happens within the building which is important. I have had a tour of your amazing facilities, and have seen your amazing rooftop football pitch and some of the other facilities here.
“I have no doubt that this will provide all of you with such great learning opportunities regardless of where your passions lie within school.”

Earlier the Minister spoke to us about the new school building. She said : “It is fantastic to see the facilities here, and having spoken to the staff and pupils today there is a real sense of excitement for their new school. There is a real pride for what they have here.

“This is of course part of the Schools for the Future programme that the Scottish Government has had since coming into administration with £1.8 billion invested in the schools estate. It is great to see the facilities that they have here at Boroughmuir now.”

She admitted that the new building is very different to what she experienced when she was at school herself. She added : “The facilities that we have here, particularly in terms of sports, science and the assembly halls where people can come together there’s a great sense of community that can be built up.”

Minister for Higher and Further Education and Science Shirley-Anne Somerville
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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.