New school for Boroughmuir 'could still be a decade away'

A BUILDING to replace one of the most dilapidated high schools in the country could be another decade away despite a funding promise from the Scottish Government, it was claimed today.

Education Secretary Michael Russell announced last week Boroughmuir High is to benefit from support through the Schools for the Future programme.

However, a lack of financial detail and the complexities of the project have thrown the timescale into question. Councillor Cameron Rose, education spokesman for the city's Tory group, said parents, pupils and staff face a "lengthy, drawn-out process".

Campaigners have long been calling for a new Boroughmuir High to replace what is classed by the Scottish Government as one of the worst two secondary school buildings in the country.

It was scheduled to be replaced under the city council's "wave three" project along with four other city schools, but hopes were dashed in 2007 when the Scottish Government announced its opposition to private finance initiatives, a model which has led to a number of schools being rebuilt in the Capital over the years.

Education chiefs then said they could only afford to rebuild one of the wave three schools, opting for Portobello High as it was deemed to be in the worst condition.

When James Gillespie's High - another of the wave three schools - was pledged government cash for a new school earlier this year, city education leader Marilyne MacLaren told the Evening News that there would be "no hope" of Boroughmuir getting the money it needed to be refurbished.

Despite this week's pledge of funding for the Viewforth school, Cllr Rose believes a new Boroughmuir High is still a distant prospect. The extensive work carried out into future options for the school is now outdated and will have to be restarted.

The Southside and Newington councillor said there is still "considerable uncertainty".

"Effectively, we have a declaration of intent from a government that may only have six months left to run and a timescale that could go on for another decade," he said.

However, the government commitment has been welcomed by education bosses in the city who will be preparing a report on the options for the high school.

Cllr MacLaren said: "We've been trying for so many years to secure the development of the school. I've asked officers to explore all possible options for the school and I look forward to being able to make an announcement about the next steps soon."

Boroughmuir High headteacher Jack Hamilton, said he was "delighted" to hear news of the funding pledge.

He added: "To date, details are limited but we hope that this will lead to a new Boroughmuir in the near future."