'Best outcome for children' the goal as long-term future of fire-ravaged Park Primary considered
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UNCERTAINTY hangs over the future of Park Primary School after it suffered another devastating blaze.
The Invergordon site was hit by its second major fire in just 12 months on Saturday morning.
This latest fire was centred on the old Victorian school building, which was extensively damaged.
Plans had recently been lodged to install several modular classrooms in the grounds that would have enabled youngsters to return following the first fire in February 2020.
But the latest blaze has thrown those plans into question, and local ward councillor Carolyn Wilson has warned that it is too early to say what the long-term plans for the site might be.
A joint police and fire investigation is under way into the cause of Saturday’s blaze, and further explorations of the site will take place once the building has been made safe. The council added that an update was expected to take four to six weeks.
A number of portable buildings will be located at Invergordon Academy to provide accommodation for nursery children who are currently attending South Lodge Primary.
Education psychology support and additional staffing will also be made available to the school to provide any support as necessary, including the secondment of a child care manager, an additional support needs officer, management and engagement support.
Cllr Wilson, who chaired a digital meeting between parents, councillors and council staff on Monday evening, said: “We are not in a position to decide on long term plans just yet, as we need to understand all the issues and consider all the options, based on a clearer picture.
“What is agreed is that we all want the very best outcome for the children and for the community. We need to take the views and feelings of the school and local community into account, as well as await the outcome of the investigations under way.”
She also praised the swift response of the emergency services, who managed to douse the flames before even more damage was done.
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