Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife has renewed her call for the school estate inspection to form part of HMIe school inspection reports.
The call comes following the closure of the sports hall at the Community School of Auchterarder due to safety concerns.
Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative Spokesman for Young People said:
“Nothing is more important than the safety of children whilst they are at school.
“We must make sure that all concerns are investigated following the tragic death of Keane Wallis-Bennett at Liberton High School in Edinburgh.
“If the priority of school inspections is to ensure there are the highest standards when it comes to learning and teaching, the Scottish Government needs to recognise that school accommodation is part of that process and that every possible step should be taken to identify sub-standard buildings.
“Some months back I called on the then Education Secretary, Mike Russell MSP to consider introducing a section of the school inspection process which would allow staff to raise any concerns about their school estate. While clearly the maintenance of school buildings is the responsibility of the local authority, I think everything possible has to be done to help them identify problems early on and this is one way that could happen.”
“The earliest possible detection is required and there is a strong case to ensure that Education Scotland is given the additional powers to raise concerns should they deem this necessary. This is something that happens elsewhere in the UK and I think we owe it to Scottish schools to do the same. That is why I am renewing my call to the new Cabinet Secretary for Education, Angela Constance for school estate inspections to form part of HMIe school inspection reports.”
Liz Smith MSP continued:
“I have written to Bernadette Malone, Chief Executive of Perth & Kinross Council to ask for an urgent update regarding the closure of the sports hall at the Community School of Auchterarder due to safety concerns and for a timetable for when works will start to address the safety concerns.”