Pupils draw on talents to create a new school

Published on Monday 12 May 2008 10:44

THEY may not be everyone's idea of what school should look like but these designs are among the hundreds drawn up by pupils tasked with designing a new Portobello High School.

More than 300 youngsters have put pen to paper to create their perfect community high school, with entries featuring vast amounts of green space, modern buildings and swimming pools.

The competition has been designed to promote the community benefits of a new Portobello High School, which campaign groups hope to see by 2012.

The eight-storey 1960s building – which was closed all last week following a serious flood – is in need of replacement.

It is one of five schools in the council's "wave three" refurbishment or replacement programme that have been left in limbo due to funding issues.

The art contest entries, from feeder primaries Towerbank, Brunstane, Royal High, Duddingston and Parsons Green and the secondary school itself, will go on display at an all-day exhibition in Portobello Town Hall.

Four winners and six runners-up will be picked by tycoon Sir Tom Farmer, Justice Secretary and MSP Kenny MacAskill, chief executive of Architecture & Design Scotland Sebastian Tombs, local artist Lynn Handley and Fiona Crosbie of online art school, the Interactive Design Institute.

Kwik-Fit founder Sir Tom recently visited Portobello to see for himself why the school desperately needs to be replaced.

He said: "It's a great school with a fantastic ethos and teaching staff, who encounter difficulties because of a building not fit for to-day's educational requirements.

"I am pleased to be involved in this initiative which sees pupils of all ages engage with the community to really think about the benefits a community high school could bring to the area.

"Hopefully the pupils' enthusiasm will inspire the council to find a way of making their vision reality as soon as possible."

Contest entries range from paintings and drawings to poems and music, and feature everything from colourful and imaginative designs to technical drawings.

Ken Aitken, chairman of the school's parent council, said: "We don't want to deny another generation of local children the chance to realise their potential.

"The council has already identified a site for a replacement high school. We now want the council to come up with creative funding solutions so that a new school can be built by 2012."

The exhibition is on May 23 between 1pm and 7pm, with music from Portobello High School pupils. Prizegiving is at 6.15pm.