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A veil of silence has been thrown around the latest delay to the opening of the new Arran High School building.
The school was originally due to open for the new term in August. Then staff, pupils and parents were told it would be October 22.
Now this week, the handover has been put off until January 7.
The latest delay has angered and disappointed a lot of people, but The Banner can reveal that all members of the school council have been instructed not to talk to the press.
After a review of building work by North Ayrshire Council and the private sector partner PPP Services North Ayrshire Ltd, it has been decided to defer the handover of the new school until January 7, 2008.
As reported in the High School News this week (page 10) head teacher Douglas Auld described the delay in a school newsletter as ‘a major disappointment’ but emphasised that the handover must be ‘safe, secure and properly planned’.
The delay was announced on Monday when much of the contents of the existing building were already packed, which led to much frustration among the staff.
One teacher said: ‘Having spent the last week packing up my department, it would have been nice to hear the news earlier. It hardly came as much of a surprise to anyone though.’
Councillor Margie Currie said: ‘I think that this is not surprising. It’s really just a pity that they weren’t able to make this announcement back in July.
‘There has been such a lot of disruption to the pupils, the head master and the staff and now two holidays will be interrupted.’
Initially the school was to open at the beginning of the autumn term after the summer holidays but this date was then pushed back to the end of October because of two big setbacks.
Dr Jim Tulips, the council’s project leader, said: ‘This was a joint decision. We need an orderly, safe and secure transfer to the new building and we can’t guarantee this given the present progress of building work.’
The October holidays begin this Monday and the teachers have been preparing to start moving in equipment during the three weeks’ holiday.
Dr Tulips said: ‘This is a disappointing delay but could not be avoided. The move needs to be done during a holiday period and the Christmas holidays offer the next opportunity.
‘Staff have been fully briefed and the head teacher has informed parents. Our private partners will carry all financial consequences of this delay. The council will not begin paying for the school until it is properly handed over in January.’
