Councillors to discuss plan to address rising pupil numbers

Recommendations to ensure the city’s schools tackle the demands of increased pupil numbers and meet future provision have been drawn up by the City of Edinburgh Council.A new report, Schools and Lifelong Learning Estate Strategic Review, lays out the challenges that lie ahead as the capital’s population continues to grow.

The report, which will be discussed by the Education, Children and Families Committee on Tuesday (15 August), proposes:

• Engaging with the local community on the design of a replacement Castlebrae High School and preparing for a statutory consultation later in the year
• Starting informal consultation on future school provision in the west and south west of Edinburgh
• Progressing informal consultation on the future provision of secondary Gaelic Medium Education in the city
• Progressing a feasibility study for additional capacity for Boroughmuir High School on a site at India Quay
• Agreeing to extend the Wave 4 feasibility study for Trinity Academy (above) to consider detailed design of sports facilities on playing fields near the school

Councillor Ian Perry, Education, Children and Families Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Schools in Edinburgh face a unique challenge in coping with an ever-increasing population that goes hand in hand with the Capital being such a thriving and successful city.

“Planning for the future of our school estate is vital and a key element of our ongoing strategic review. In recent years, we have successfully delivered an additional 74 modern, high quality classrooms in our primary school estate to deal with rising roll pressures and last year opened state of the art new high schools at James Gillespie’s and Portobello.

“Work has already started on the construction of a new St John’s RC Primary School and the design of a new primary school to the south of the city centre. Approval has also been given for a new primary school in south east Edinburgh and the relocation of Victoria Primary School.

“However, we cannot be complacent and have to ensure this positive work continues into future years. This report identifies emerging issues for our schools and lifelong learning estate which we need to deal with now and come up with deliverable solutions including funding considerations. We will of course consult fully with our school communities as we progress any plans.

“The successful exam results this week demonstrate the high level of teaching being delivered in our schools and we need to take all the steps we can to ensure this first class education continues for the children of Edinburgh.”