Fifth anniversary of school blaze at Park Primary in Invergordon sparks fresh challenge
THE fifth anniversary of a devastating Easter Ross blaze which left over 200 pupils without a primary school building has attracted comment this week.
Park Primary School in Invergordon was hit by two fires in the space of a year - the first on February 24, 2020.
Barely had the dust settled on the first fire than plans were made to school pupils in temporary accommodation within Invergordon Academy.
• FLASHBACK: Appeal for immediate Scottish Government assistance as fire rips through Park Primary
• ‘Shocked and deeply disappointed’ parents react to funding setback
At that time, Park Primary had 176 primary and 32 nursery children while Invergordon Academy had a capacity of 550 - but only 343 pupils at that time.
Highland Council came under immediate pressure to commit to a rebuild of the school, which was hit by a second fire on February 27, 2021 and had to be levelled.
In the aftermath of the second blaze, Highland Council compiled a report which stated: “The council is committed to working together with the local community to find a solution to ensure that high quality learning and teaching can take place with the objective of the Primary and Nursery being back together again.
“The council have committed additional staffing to the school, and have appointed an engagement officer to support families and the way forward regarding options to replace the school buildings.”
The locally based Loose in the Highlands Facebook page posted to coincide with the fifth anniversary event, stating: “There we go…five years and still no rebuild for the kids of Park Primary School in Invergordon.
“It's all very well saying new houses will be built and then improvements can be made to various services in the town but what about the kids without a proper school building right now!? I still say there will be no rebuild, they want that land for something else. Maybe there will be some progress for the kids when I repost next year…”
In September 2023, a petition set up on behalf of Park Primary in Invergordon followed shock over proposed cuts to a raft of school projects on Highland Council's wish list.
Highland Council has been contacted for comment.
