Children and Families Property Review

Update - 3 September 2007

Our junior partner in the coalition, the SNP, has announced today that they are withdrawing all support from the administration’s programme of consultation on the rationalisation of schools in Edinburgh. Without the agreement of the full Coalition there is no prospect of the current consultation being agreed at Council. A report will go to the next full council meeting in September to formally terminate the current consultation process.

Read the full press release.

Background

In recent years the child population in Edinburgh has fallen, with the number of pupils attending primary schools dropping by 5,500 pupils (18%) in the last ten years. These falling numbers are now also affecting secondary schools.

Education funding is based on the number of pupils in a school and it is important that the funds we receive from the Scottish Executive are used wisely. Our priority is to improve the whole educational experience, rather than spending money on running and maintaining half-empty buildings.

Our aim is for all young people in Edinburgh to receive a first class education in high quality buildings that are fit for purpose and meet the needs of learners in the 21st Century.

We want to increase the number of pupils attending new or refurbished schools and generate extra funding by reducing the number of surplus places and reinvest money saved in buildings and services for children and families.

Property Review report

A report which sets out proposals to get best value from local authority Children’s Services and Community Education establishments across Edinburgh was made public on Friday 17 August 2007 for consideration at the Council meeting on Thursday 23 August. This report is available to download below.

It includes proposals for the closure of schools, early years and community education centres, to allow the Children and Families Department to reinvest money in schools, centres and essential services for children.

Over the past four years, 21 of Edinburgh's schools have been given a new or refurbished school building. This is set to increase to 39 schools by 2011. If the proposals set out in this property review go ahead, the number of new and refurbished buildings will increase to 60% of the secondary school estate and 40% of the primary school estate.

Children and Families Property Review report (2 MB)