East Lothian Council has allocated £3 million to maintaining “continuity of education” at Preston Lodge High School, Prestonpans, after classrooms were forced to close.

The school shut 23 classrooms after survey work at the end of the last academic year discovered faults with the reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) used in the school’s construction.

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This has resulted in the new S1 pupils being partially taught in their previous primary schools or at community buildings, in what have been dubbed ‘home rooms’.

Additionally, six temporary classrooms were installed on school grounds just before the new term started last Thursday, a day later than other schools, to allow staff to get to grips with the changes.

Council officials say that discussions on long-term solutions for Preston Lodge are ongoing.

The Brunton theatre, Musselburgh, has been closed since March after inspections found “structural issues” with the roof caused by the use of RAAC.

READ MORE: Prestonpans: Temporary classrooms arrive at Preston Lodge HS

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “A sum of £3 million has been identified within the council’s capital to cover current immediate costs to support the continuity of education at Preston Lodge High School.

“Details of required works and associated costs for longer-term solutions are still very much under discussion and too early to confirm at this stage.

“Discussions continue regarding required repairs at Preston Lodge High School and no final option has as yet been concluded.

“A report will be completed to provide a range of options for consideration in relation to the Brunton.

“At present, our resources are focused on looking at options for Preston Lodge.

“These projects have their unique challenges; options, including financial costs, when complete will be submitted in a report for councillor discussion and approval.”

Councillor Norman Hampshire, the council leader, told the Courier: “We will do what we can to have the closed areas at Preston Lodge open as soon as possible.

“We don’t want pupils’ years to be interrupted by this and are working hard to get things repaired. I cannot put a timescale on it at the moment. Preston Lodge is our priority.”

DJ Johnston-Smith, chair of Prestonpans Community Council, said decisions must be made “as soon as possible” for the good of the pupils.

He said: “Our community council will be discussing the ongoing situation at Preston Lodge High School with our ward councillors at our next public meeting, but we are pleased to learn that some progress has been made in plotting a way forward in the short term.

“However, we still need to hear very soon about some concrete, long-term solutions that are being put in place for the benefit of the youngsters of Preston, Seton and Gosford and for the dedicated staff who want to be teaching them.

“With Covid-19, industrial action and now this unfortunate building calamity, our current generation of young people have experienced some of the most difficult and interrupted school careers of any students of recent decades.

“We know that public money is tight right now but if this 54-year-old building is simply no longer fit for purpose, a decision to erect a new school must nevertheless be made as soon as possible, as any new structure will take several years to tender, plan and build.”