Edinburgh Council has confirmed the gym hall at Liberton High School could be demolished.

On 1 April, a pupil at the school, 12-year-old Keane Wallis-Bennett, was killed when a wall fell on her. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive is still continuing.

It is understood that the plans, to be discussed by Councillors today, would involve £2.5m being invested in new facilities at the school. It would see the demolition of the current gym hall and the extension of the current building to where a majority of the PE facilities take place. An existing classroom would also be changed to provide temporary dance studio facilities.


Councillor Paul Godzik, Education Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: "The overwhelming view from staff at the school, parents and the local community is that the gym should be demolished as soon as possible.

"The proposal is that this will happen at the earliest opportunity, and assuming that the necessary consents are in place, we hope this will be able to take place over the summer break to minimise disruption to the school.

"The tragic incident two months ago has obviously had a devastating effect on the local community and we are determined to work with them and other partners to ensure nothing similar can ever happen again.

"Discussions about a suitable memorial at the school for Keane are continuing and we hope to make an announcement in the near future."

(JP/MH)