Cancelled: Tuesday re-opening of faulty concrete-hit Moray school Forres Academy for staff and parent safety meetings
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THE reopening of Forres Academy has been pushed back until Wednesday (September 20), so staff and parents can be given "reassurances" that the building is safe.
Announced through a letter to parents and a Moray Council statement, the change means pupils with additional support needs (ASN) and S4-S6 pupils will return to school a day later (Wednesday, September 20) than planned.
The letter said the delay came "following queries from parents/carers and staff" so that "reassurances that the ground floor is safe for use" can be given at last-minute meetings.
As a result of the setback, Thursday will see ASN and S1-S3 pupils returning with Friday set for a full turnout.
Parents have also been invited to a Forres Town Hall meeting, on Wednesday, September 20 at 7.30pm.
The meeting, a council spokesperson said, will have "council teams from Education, Property and the Learning Estate will be on hand to answer any questions".
It is understood that the Town Hall meeting was organised after council leader Councillor Kathleen Robertson asked Moray Council chief executive Roddy Burns to host the event.
Cllr Robertson's actions came on the back of concerns raised with her by Forres Academy parents. Last week she said she was personally "reassured" by the reopening plans and that "I'm also a parent at the school".
The past week has seen a flurry of activity and disruption for those involved with the school.
Work to remove faulty concrete (RAAC) from the school began last Monday (September 11), but two days later (September 13) parents were told that the building posed a "higher risk" than thought – and the school was closed.
With Thursday (September 14) came news that disruption, during the "phased" return to school, could extend past the October holidays and the now-postponed plan to reopen tomorrow was released on Friday (September 15).
Full letter to parents
As an update to our previous communication, and following queries from Parents/Carers and staff, we have taken the decision to close the school on Tuesday 19 September to pupils.
This will allow us to meet with staff and the Parent Council to provide reassurances that the ground floor is safe for use.
We also extend an invitation to any Parent/Carers to attend an information session at Forres Town Hall on Wednesday 20 September at 7.30pm where
The new phase one plan is for:
Wednesday - ASN Pupils and S4-S6
Thursday - ASN Pupils and S1-S3
Friday - All pupils
Kind regards
Jan Sinclair
On behalf of Vivienne Cross, Head of Education (Chief Education Officer)
