School closure offers unexpected opportunities
Last month’s closure of 17 PPP1 schools caused much anxiety – for council officers, for school staff and particularly for families and for children. And while the saga rumbles on, many local parents and carers still don’t know when their child will return to his or her own school. Continue reading A time to make new friends
Interested in making films? Screen Education Edinburgh – formerly Pilton Video – wants your views on film making classes for adults.
SEE’s Alex Callaghan is checking out the level of local interest through an online survey.
To take part in the survey click here.
Council confirms local schools will be closed for months
Parents and carers worst fears were realised with the announcement this afternoon that local primary schools Craigroyston, Forthview, Pirniehall and St Davids are to remain closed until after the summer holidays. Rowanfield, too, will stay shut until August. Continue reading Local schools to stay closed until after summer holidays
Ferryhill Primary School is closed following a safety check this morning. Continue reading Ferryhill closed following fire alarm
Stay of execution for Ratho haven
Pilton Retreat has been spared – for now. The community resource at Ratho has received one year’s support – but must use that time to explore other sources of funding. Continue reading Pilton Retreat safe … for now
An Edinburgh College Graphic Design student is in the running to be crowned Scotland’s top creative marketing student at the Scottish Marketing Society Star Awards. Continue reading Charlie’s chasing top creative student award
The city council has confirmed alternative arrangements for pupils sitting exams next month who are affected by the current school closures.
The contingency plans have been put together as exams start in the first week of May, and all pupils will be sitting their exams in the schools they are currently attending.
The arrangements are:
Individual schools will update pupils and parents regarding their specific arrangements.
Over the past week the Council has had very positive discussions with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) about exams and the contingency arrangements.
Education Convener Councillor Paul Godzik said: “With the first exams only a few weeks away it is absolutely vital that we have these plans in place and pupils are given notice as to where they will be sitting their exams.
“Pupils have enough to do with their studying preparations without additional worry over where they may be sitting them. Despite the hugely challenging situation the Council have tried to ensure our pupils are given every chance to prepare properly and that as far as possible they are not impacted by the school closures.
“We will be outlining in detail to the SQA the arrangements we have put in place and how this has affected pupils, as well as providing additional study support to pupils where we feel this is necessary.”
Jean Blair, SQA Director of Operations, said: “Clearly our primary concern is for all the young people involved. We continue to work closely with City of Edinburgh Council and the individual schools to support them in the practical arrangements for the exams, which begin on Wednesday 4 May.
“The national timetable of exams will continue as planned and pupils should continue with their studies in preparation to sit their exams on the dates in the published exam timetable.”
The programme of structural surveys arranged by the Edinburgh Schools Partnership is continuing. Parents will be provided with further information on individual school surveys once the full reports are received and assessed.
Edinburgh’s children are being given the chance to learn new languages – thanks to globetrotting mum Giselle Dominguez. Continue reading Canonmills mum brings Spanish classes to toddlers
The Total Craigroyston initiative came to a close at the end of March, as the localities model of the City of Edinburgh Council begins to be implemented. A ‘checking-out’ session was held on 23 March at Pilton Children’s and Youth Project to share with local people and workers the progress that had been made and to identify key messages for the locality management team (writes Tim Packer). Continue reading Total Craigroyston – the final report
Current plans for next week are:
ROYAL HIGH SCHOOL
S1 and S2 students should return to school at 9:40am on Tuesday 19 April. Students should report to the old front door beside the assembly hall. Please do not enter through any other school entrances.
S1 and S2 classes will be accommodated in temporary units that are being installed in the school grounds this weekend (16 and 17 April, above).
The arrangements currently in place for S3 to S6 students will continue.
Positive discussions have been taking place with the Scottish Qualifications Authority who have agreed that verification and examining visits for all subjects that were due to take place this week have been postponed and will be rescheduled with individual schools.
We will update students when we have more information.
