The Scottish Government has confirmed it will make a financial contribution towards replacement PE facilities at Liberton High School. Details of the agreement are included in the Liberton High School report which will be discussed by the local authority later this week.

However, it is understood the Government will fund two-thirds of the gross cost of the new facility. The cost of the replacement facilities will be around £2.5m and the work would involve extending the current school building where some of the school's PE classes are already held.


Once ongoing investigations are completed, work to demolish the existing gym hall will commence. In April, Keane Wallis-Bennett, a 12-year-old pupil at Liberton High School, was killed when a free-standing wall collapsed on her at the school.

Councillor Paul Godzik, Education Convener for Edinburgh Council, said: "We are very grateful to the Scottish Government for agreeing to provide a financial contribution towards the cost of providing replacement PE facilities at Liberton High School.

"The overwhelming view from everyone connected to the school was that the existing gym should be demolished as soon as possible. We intend to move forward with this as soon as the ongoing investigations are completed."

Minister for Learning, Alasdair Allan, added: "I am pleased that the Scottish Government is able to make a financial contribution to the City of Edinburgh Council to replace the gym facilities at Liberton High School following the tragic events earlier this year. We remain ready to offer support to the council and families affected by the tragedy."

(JP/IT)