STUDENTS from Peebles High School have been given the final confirmation that they will be returning to the fire-hit school next week.

After the blaze that caused significant damage to the school on Thursday, November 28, S4-S6 students will start their classes in the High School on Monday, February 3, whereas students from S1-S3 will begin on Tuesday, February 4.

S1-S3 students are asked, however, to spend Monday completing work provided through the Show My Homework app and Glow.

But students with complex needs, who joined the specialist facility at Galashiels Academy on December 3, will remain there whilst plans to accommodate their needs are developed at the Peebles site.

Chief Executive of Scottish Borders Council, Tracey Logan, said: “Phasing the return of pupils enables us to manage the preparations effectively.

"One of the most challenging elements is moving from the seven temporary S1-S3 teaching sites in Peebles from the end of the school day on Friday 31 January, hence the additional day to complete this.

“An enormous amount of work has been needed to get us to the position of having all year groups back together in one location – something parents have consistently told us was very important to them.

"To be in a position to do this so quickly is testament to the efforts of all concerned, and the support provided to us by a wide range of partners.

“We do still have work to complete on site, and additional classroom and changing room space will also be opened up in modular buildings later in February, but we are now confident that the return of pupils can take place.”

As students return to the school, Scottish Borders Council has also announced its Inspire Learning programme will be rolled out.

Ms Logan added: “In preparing for the reoccupation of the school we have been able to install the infrastructure to facilitate the Inspire Learning rollout and I am delighted that we can start this the first week back at the school.”

An options appraisal is ongoing to evaluate all options for the future of the school, which will impact discussions with Scottish Government and the Peebles community.

This appraisal is estimated to be complete by Easter 2020.