3.6.2 It is the view of the Inquiry that, despite the unavoidable disruption and inconvenience caused to pupils, parents and teachers, the response to the initial collapse of the wall on 29th January 2016 by the Council in relation to their decision to immediately close Oxgangs School was prompt, effective and appropriate in the known circumstances at the time. The reopening of the School on 2nd February 2016 was also appropriate based on the actions that had been taken and the information then available to the Council.
3.6.3 The decision on 8th April 2016 to close all 17 PPP1 schools had much more significant implications for the Council, in terms of dealing with the sudden requirement to relocate within the shortest possible time 3,198 primary school children, 4,327 secondary school pupils, 107 children with additional support needs and 738 nursery children; a total of 8,371 pupils.
3.6.4 The Inquiry was advised that alternative teaching accommodation, alternative transport and alternative catering arrangements had been put in place for most pupils by Thursday 14th April 2016 and for all pupils by Wednesday 20th April 2016.
3.6.5 It is the view of the Inquiry that this was quite a remarkable feat to have achieved within an extremely short time, especially without the benefit of any lead-in period and within only a few days of the unexpected announcement that the schools would have to close.
3.6.6 The evidence suggests that it was an excellent example of collaboration by many diverse organisations, groups and individuals working towards an immensely difficult but shared goal. To succeed, as it did, required clear leadership, rapid but effective decision-making and a total commitment on the part of all involved. Many staff, from throughout the wide range of organisations and schools involved, remained working late into many evenings and over weekends to help put all the necessary and complex arrangements in place. For this they should be strongly complimented.