Arrangements are underway to welcome children and staff back to St Gabriel’s Primary School and Nursery following the conclusion of SGN works in and around the school campus.
The school and two neighbouring houses were evacuated on Tuesday 26 November due to reports of a gas escape in the area. SGN has since been undertaking emergency repairs in and around the school campus which meant the building has been closed. After a short period of online learning, alternative arrangements were put in place to allow children to return to in-person teaching within other buildings within the local area. Nursery reopened within Wallyford with a shuttle bus between there and Prestonpans for families who needed it for morning drop-off.
Due to the nature of the investigation works undertaken by SGN, the company will now arrange reinstatement of the school campus’ external and interior areas to make them safe and suitable for children’s return. Council teams will also recommission services, including the boiler and heating systems, and carry out a deep clean of the school and nursery. Alternative venue arrangements will remain in place for the time being and a further update will be provided to you as soon as possible. This work is being progressed urgently to provide a safe and smooth transition back to St Gabriel’s for children.
Head of Education Nicola McDowell said: “We are pleased to be able to confirm to families that children will shortly return to St Gabriel’s primary school and nursery. It’s hard to underestimate how challenging this situation has been for the school community. We’ve dedicated a huge amount of work to putting in place arrangements that would minimise disruption and allow learning to continue. While these have been working very well, the best place for St Gabriel’s children is within St Gabriel’s school. We’ve been grateful to Mr Buchanan and his staff team for all of their efforts, and to colleagues across the council for coming together to relocate an entire school at such short notice. From education and facilities to transport and emergency planning, everyone has worked together with the best interests and the safety of children forefront in their minds.
“These efforts will continue in the coming days to make sure that the school is safe and in working order for children and we look forward to confirming the date for their return ahead of the Christmas break very soon.
“Throughout this whole process we have worked closely with SGN. It has been a complex undertaking and the firm has taken every action to make sure that the issue was dealt with thoroughly.
“Our staff team is looking forward to welcoming the children back to St Gabriel’s.”