ActionForBoroughmuir

Public meeting

Ask your Questions, Have your Say !

We're holding a public meeting for parents from Buckstone, South Morningside and Bruntsfield primary schools next Thursday 6th November 2008 at South Morningside Primary School at 7.00pm.  The purpose of the meeting is to give parents as much information as possible regarding the options for Boroughmuir.

Malcolm Fraser will present plans for a possible major refurbishment at the Viewforth site and we have asked the Council to present the plans for the proposed new school at Fairmilehead.  Councillor Aitken, one of our local councillors, will chair the meeting.

Last week you should have received, via pupil post, a copy of the Boroughmuir Options for Replacement questionnaire, and supporting information sent out by Edinburgh Council. This is a vital issue that will impact your children’s education, particularly if they are currently at one of the feeder primary schools, Buckstone, Bruntsfield or South Morningside. Parents are asked to choose between two options : a major refurbishment on the school’s current site at Viewforth, or a new build at Fairmilehead, but with no guaranteed site.

The matter is now critical as, whichever option is chosen, Boroughmuir needs a building fit for purpose in the 21st century, so your views are very important ! Please do respond to the questionnaire.

Update October '08
A lot has happened over the last few months.  The Council have undertaken their feasibility study and the plans drawn up by Malcolm Fraser, parent and leading architect have been incorporated in the plans. The Parent Council held a public meeting in March to present these plans to the Boroughmuir Parent Body. There was comprehensive support for this vision for a substantial make over for the current buildings and site.  Malcolm's plans can be seen here

Funding a new School

The Council is considering two options for Boroughmuir : a brand new school at the Scottish Water site at Fairmilehead, or a major refurbishment at Viewforth with new buildings including a new  classroom suite on the gable end at the north side of the site, a full size sports hall and new dining and kitchen facilities.

The first, a brand new school will cost around £35 - 40 million for the buildings and an estimated £30 million for the site.  The refurbishment option is likely to cost around £30 million. 

Boroughmuir is part of the Wave 3 group of 5 schools currently awaiting funding for new/refurbished premises

But - and this is a big but ! - the Council currently has very little money to fund the Wave 3 schools. Until recently, for capital projects of this nature the Council would find 20% of the money and the Scottish Government would provide the balance.  Under the previous Scottish administration this was done under Public Private Partnership finance arrangements - more commonly known as PPP.  The new Government is working on  plans for the Scottish Futures Trust to replace PPP, but in the meantime have said there is no additional money to help the Council with the Wave 3 Schools.