Harlaw Academy to reopen to pupils following fire

13 December 2015

Harlaw Academy in Aberdeen will reopen to pupils tomorrow (Tuesday 15 December).

The school was closed to pupils today (Monday 16 December) following an incident, at the academy, on Saturday 12 December, which is being treated by police as wilful fire-raising.

Fire investigation officers completed their work at the school on Saturday and released the building back to the City Council.

A classroom in the school's B block will require significant work to repair it while damage to the other classrooms in the block is minimal.

The parts of the building worst affected by the fire have been sealed off from pupils and staff including the library. Specialist cleaning and repair work will continue in these areas throughout this week and into the school Christmas holidays.

The school working day will begin at 8.30am so pupils should not arrive at school before 8am for the remainder of this week. School lunchtime will end at 1.15pm, as per winter arrangements, and as a result the school day will end at 3pm for the remainder of this week.

Unfortunately, the school's annual concert and Talent Show will not go ahead this week.

Aberdeen City Council's Convener of Education and Children's Services Committee Councillor Angela Taylor said: "Since hearing the dreadful news that the school had been damaged as a result of a fire, council staff, specialist cleaners and others have worked extremely hard to ensure the school meets Health & Safety requirements so it can open to pupils tomorrow (Tue 15 Dec). I would like to thank everyone who has helped to make this possible."