FIFE COUNCIL has insisted that regular safety checks are carried out on all schools after concerns were raised by Dunfermline MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville.

The MSP had called for assurances after it emerged that work on a wall at the Oakley campus – which houses Inzievar Primary and Holy Name Primary – had to be carried out last year. 

The shared campus school was one of eight in Fife funded through Public Private Partnerships and built by the same firm responsible for constructing Oxgangs Primary in Edinburgh which suffered a wall collapse in January 2016 and triggered urgent safety checks across the country.

Ms Somerville has this week written to Fife Council asking for an assurance that all PPP schools in Fife are safe for teachers, pupils and parents and that school buildings continue to be monitored by qualified professionals.

“Construction defects have been found at 71 schools across Scotland including two in Fife and one in my constituency,” she explained.

“I think that my constituents, as well as teachers, pupils and parents in Fife, deserve to know that Fife Council is taking appropriate measures to correct any defects timeously.

“But it is also vital that Fife Council ensures the ongoing safety of our children and teaching staff. I have written to the council, therefore, to seek the assurance that measures will continue to be taken to ensure that school structures are safe.

“It’s troubling that, through Freedom of Information requests, a school building in my own constituency has had structural issues similar to that of Oxgangs Primary School in Edinburgh which had a wall collapse last year with potentially fatal consequences.

“It’s therefore vital that safety assurances are given by the council. I also want to know what information was given to parents about the defects and repairs at Oakley Campus”.

Ken Gourlay, head of assets, transportation and environment, said intrusive surveys of all PPP schools were carried out after the safety issues were identified in Edinburgh.

He added: “Some remedial works to wall ties were identified in three small panels at two schools and these minor works were completed at the time without disruption to the operation of the schools.

“Fife Council carries out regular repair and maintenance and structural inspections on all its buildings.”