Holy Family pupils head back to class after 18-month school closure

East Dunbartonshire Council has confirmed the 350 Holy Family Primary School children will return to their Boghead Road base after an extended mid-term break in February to pack up and relocate.

The pupils were decanted in August 2015 after routine checks revealed a serious crack in a wall on the upper floor.

Since then, they have been taught in the former Lairdsland Primary School which closed earlier last year as part of wider improvements to the school estate.

A council spokesperson confirmed that the final phase of structural repair works to Holy Family had started.

Council Leader Rhondda Geekie said she was pleased at the news and added: “A date for returning to their original school building is welcome news for the pupils and teachers at Holy Family Primary School.

“There have been challenges in securing a contractor who could commit to completing these works within our required timescales.

“I’m delighted that these have now been resolved with the final works due to start in the coming weeks and be completed in the new year. We will then be working closely with the school based staff and our Facilities Management team to support the transition back to their original building from their temporary Kerr Street base.

“I’d like to thank the whole school community for their continued understanding and support during this period of necessary works.”

The nursery was not affected as it is located in a separate wing of the Holy Family building.”

The council spokesperson added: “Additional closure days will be added to the February mid-term holidays will be required to pack up the Kerr Street site and set up the classrooms and learning spaces at the Boghead Road building.

“This is standard practice in opening new and refurbished schools and parents will be advised of the details as soon as they are finalised.”

East Dunbartonshire Council had originally expected the school to be reopened within four months.