By Jonathan Watson

TWO FIFE primary schools are to close after investigations revealed structural concerns just days before pupils will be returning for classes.

Fife Council yesterday said it was taking the precautionary measures to close both Cardenden and Denend primary schools after survey work at the former revealed cracks in the building that have given engineers cause for concern.

The closure, announced just three days before staff and pupils are meant to return, has had a knock-on effect, with neighbouring Denend Primary also closing for a week as staff and pupils will have to share once lessons resume.

Engineers intend to carry out further work at Cardenden in the coming weeks and it is hoped next week will allow staff at both schools enough time to prepare classrooms and resources at Den-end for classes to resume on November 3.

Fife Council was quick to apologise to parents for the short notice in announcing the schools’ closure, but insisted that at no point had any children at Cardenden Primary been in any danger.

James McKinstry, education resources manager, said, “We appreciate this is short notice for parents, but during the preliminary investigation engineers discovered cracks that caused concern.

“At no point has the health and safety of children at Cardenden Primary been under threat. However, we are unwilling to allow children to return to the school until a full investigation has been carried out.

“The safety of our children is paramount and we need to be 100% sure that the building is sound before we reopen it.”

The council also stated that it intended to contact parents of both schools before the start of term by phone and letter. A public meeting has also been organised for next week at which parents will be given more information and the opportunity to ask further questions of their own.

Meantime, Fife Council moved to allay any fears that parents may have over the short-term sharing of both sets of pupils at Denend Primary.

Mr McKinstry said, “We are confident that, with adjustments, Denend Primary has got enough space to accommodate the additional pupils. In this regard we are working with services across the council.”

The public meeting to discuss the school closures will take place on Tuesday at 7pm at the Auchterderran Centre.