Worried parents have hit out saying they were left in the dark after their kids’ school was suddenly closed over concerns about its roof.
Children at Knightsridge Primary have been decanted to other schools over concerns about Siporex - the faulty material that led to houses at Deans South being condemned.
The building was closed on Friday evening last week and pupils were sent to various schools on Tuesday as the building remains shut for the foreseeable future
A message was sent to parents on Saturday advising that “structural issues” had been discovered and the school was closed with immediate effect.
A text was later sent on Monday with more details about the situation.
However one parent got in touch with the Courier to say many people were upset that there was “no communication about the seriousness of this situation until 4.30pm on Monday”.
The parent, who did not want to be named, continued: “I feel for all the teachers, staff and children of Knightsridge, so I wouldn’t want to have a dig at them but communication should have been better.“
"There are also concerns around there being no breakfast club for working parents, siblings being separated, children in P7 potentially not returning to the school.
“Parents were unaware of the siporex issue or the annual monitoring of it, there has been no parent session with council/head teacher until Thursday night and no timeline or optimism in the email.
“Our children have just came out of covid and as much as the parents will make this feel like an ‘adventure’ it’s daunting and the lack of stability may affect learning.”
Headteacher Joanne Kerr sought to reassure parents, adding: “We fully understand the disruption that this will result in for pupils and parents and I can assure you that we have put in place robust arrangements to ensure continuity for pupils, and to minimise the disruption to their education. “Following the contingency arrangements that we have put in place I’d like to reassure everyone that
all pupils will remain within their existing classes and will continue to have their current class teacher.
“The safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff is our priority. We will keep parents/carers up- to-date with information as quickly as we can and information sessions will be held this week.”
A spokesperson for West Lothian Council stressed parents were kept informed and given information as soon as possible.
He continued: “Council officers were advised on Friday evening by our independent Structural Engineer Contractors that, following an inspection, there are issues identified within the roof structure at Knightsridge Primary School.
“As a result, the council’s structural engineering contractor who carried out the inspection advised that the school should be closed with immediate effect.
“This means the school is closed to all primary pupils and staff until further notice. Alternative arrangements for all pupils have been put in place. We have informed all parents and carers of the situation and the alternative arrangements.
The safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff is our priority and we will continue to keep parents/carers up-to-date with information as quickly as we can.
“Further detailed assessments need to be carried out to determine the extent of the issues, any potential action that may be required, and what the potential timescales are for any future actions.”
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