Dozens of potentially dangerous defects have been discovered in a sweep of Perth and Kinross schools undertaken in the wake of the tragic death of an Edinburgh girl.
A review of all schools has been carried out by Perth and Kinross Council following 12-year-old Keane Wallis-Bennett’s death in April at Liberton High School when she was killed by a falling wall.
Two walls and a downpipe at three different buildings have been classed as being in “poor condition” by the local authority.
The council has flagged up construction faults that need immediate attention, including boundary walls being in a poor condition, loose blocks at “high level,” severe cracking found in brickwork and a playground wall being in poor condition at Alyth Primary School.
There were also signs of failure in block walls at Perth Grammar School. In addition, the council inspectors found severe erosion on the face of stone at the main entrance door at Balbeggie Primary School, problems with a corridor wall at Tulloch Primary School and bitumen facia coming loose at Pitcairn Primary School.
As a result, the council have decided on a raft of measures which will see two temporary units at Alyth and Balhousie primary schools demolished, with 34 schools having “minor issues” found.
Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, told The Courier the matter is an issue which has “strong resonance” with pupils, teachers, and parents and “must be addressed”.
A report drawn up by Keith Colville, senior premises management officer with Perth and Kinross Council, explained the reasoning behind the safety probe.
“The report will update the council’s strategic policy and resources committee on the review of school structures at schools after the tragic incident at Liberton High School in Edinburgh,” he said in the report.
“Property services have identified no serious risks similar to Liberton but the review identified some minor maintenance required and a need for the rephrasing of the replacement/demolition of the life-expired buildings programme.
“The survey identified no properties where there was any issue regarding collapse. In a number of primary schools, previous decisions to demolish life-expired buildings had been delayed due to these buildings being used as storage.”
Due to the defects found, the council will take action in dozens of schools, including providing protective barrier fencing and seeking advice from a structural engineer regarding severe cracking found at Alyth Primary School.
The local authority has also insisted on a periodic inspection of cracks and shrinkage movement identified at Perth Grammar School and boarding over glass at the top of a partition at Tulloch Primary School in Perth.
Ms Smith said she has written to the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Mike Russell, to ask the Scottish Government to consider a change to include the quality and fabric of schools.
“The school estate across Perthshire and Kinross-shire which is reviewed on an annual basis currently shows four local primary schools rated as poor, 58 as satisfactory, and eleven as good,” she commented.
“It is clear that in a number of cases such as Tulloch and Kinross primary schools the buildings are rapidly reaching the end of their lives and that the schools will need replacing in the near future.”
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said there was no cost for the repairs as these will be carried out as part of the standard maintenance programme for school buildings.
The report will be discussed at Perth and Kinross Council’s meeting of their strategic policy and resources committee on Wednesday.