Prestonpans: Final repair works completed at Preston Lodge High School

Inspections last spring confirmed that RAAC – a lightweight form of precast concrete, frequently used in public sector buildings in the UK from the mid-1960s to at least the mid-1980s – was present in some of the roof space at the school.

READ MORE: Delight at Preston Lodge as classrooms back open after repair work

The Prestonpans school was forced to close 23 of its classrooms at the time, meaning that the school had to erect six temporary classrooms and S1 pupils had to have some lessons in their old primary schools.

A phased return of pupils then took place, with all S1 pupils returning to the school in November last year and the final classrooms being opened again last month.

The final classrooms at Preston Lodge High School reopened last month. Image: Gordon Bell (Image: Gordon Bell)

Now, the final pieces of work within the PE facilities have been completed, meaning that the building will come back into full use this week, after pupils had to use Meadowmill Sports Centre during the work.

Gavin Clark, headteacher at the school, expressed his delight at the news.

Mr Clark said: “The completion of the remedial work at Preston Lodge is an important milestone for the school.

"Throughout a very challenging time for our community, we’ve received terrific support. This has been really important to us in maintaining high-quality learning and teaching throughout and in supporting student wellbeing.

“As progress has been made, more parts of our building have become operational again.

"Although the temporary arrangements have worked well in difficult circumstances, we are obviously delighted to see the PE facilities reopening.

"I’d like to extend our thanks to all colleagues, students, parents and carers for their patience.”

Councillor Fiona Dugdale, East Lothian Council's cabinet spokesperson for education and children’s and family services, said: “I’m really pleased to see the completion of this vital work at Preston Lodge High School.

"I would like to pay tribute to the many people who have worked together to resolve this issue as quickly and effectively as possible.

“I would also like to thank Preston Lodge students and their families for their understanding during what has clearly been an incredibly difficult period.”

At the February meeting of Prestonpans Community Council, ward councillor Colin Yorkston praised officers for their work at the school.

He said: "Officers played a blinder with this work.

"The closure has had a big impact on the school, in particular for the S1 pupils.

"I know officers did the best they could in the circumstances and it is a big relief that work has been carried out so fast."