Parents have received assurances over the quality of the temporary classrooms being installed at Dundee schools.
The units are gradually being deployed across the city to help alleviate overcrowding and provide much needed new teaching and storage space.
In April it emerged that two portable classrooms were to be sent to Claypotts Castle Primary to cater for an increasing school roll, though it was built just seven years ago.
Now another is to be installed – this time at St John’s RC High School – where it will provide additional teaching space.
Once again the classroom unit will be repurposed from the former Rockwell School, where they are currently being used by the decamped Harris Academy.
Their use has led to accusations that pupils are being forced to make use of second class accommodation, but that has been categorically denied by Dundee City Council.
A meeting of the children and families services committee heard assurances from the city’s director of education, Michael Wood, that the classrooms were of “very good quality”.
Councillor Fraser Macpherson, who has visited Rockwell to view them, said: “This is simply a sensible approach to managing the school estate.
“There are not 1950s-style huts, which many people win the city will remember, perhaps unfavourably.
“They are perhaps providing some of the best accommodation currently available at the Rockwell site.
“This is good accommodation that will enhance St John’s.”
Labour Councillor Helen Wright was among the councillors to express concern about the use of temporary classrooms, raising questions about their quality, lifespan and soundproofing.
She said parents would “prefer real classrooms to be built”.
A key virtue for the council is that the portable unit can easily be transferred to St John’s in time for the start of the new term in August.
There, it will be used to improve services for youngsters with complex needs who currently attend the school’s enhanced provision hub.
The number of users is expected to rise in the coming months and years and the portable unit is seen as the best solution.
It will also provide additional space of music tuition.
