James Gillespie's High School open morning (10:00-13:00) on Sa 5 November (with Callum Skinner)

Closure of Warrender Park Road/ Marchmont Street Junction (from 3 to 30 March)

A Temporary road restriction and traffic regulation has been circulated informing us that Warrender Park Road and Marchmont Street will be closed at their junction with one another (and diversions will be in place) from 3 to 30 March 2014. 

This is to allow a new sewer connection.

A Plan is available showing the affected area and the diversion routes.

Vision for Schools Consultation

City of Edinburgh Council Children and Families Department is seeking views (by Friday 22 March 2013) from partner organisations and community groups on a new vision for schools.  

Schools face a number of challenges in the coming years, with changes in the curriculum, the impact of new technology and a range of other issues.  The vision is an attempt to take a longer term view on where we want to be and how to get there.  It includes ideas for rotating head teachers in schools, an increase in co-operative learning and a commitment for all children to have access to early learning, childcare and family support from the age of three (and from birth for vulnerable children).

The task now is to make sure that everyone with an interest in learning gets a chance to contribute to the vision.  That means pupils, parents and carers, communities, organisations we work with, employers, further and higher education providers and others.  They want to know what people think of what’s in the draft vision already and what needs to be added or changed.

The consultation will use a range of methods: an electronic survey for partner agencies and community groups, classroom based discussions and a roadshow (see below).  Schools will be heavily involved in the process, consulting with their pupils, parents/carers and staff.

A consultation will also be held for parents/carers, school staff and partner organisations to discuss the vision and contribute ideas for its development.  One local-ish event will be at The City Chambers from 1.30 to 3.30pm on Wednesday 6 March 2013.  Places (limited so book early) can be secured by contacting Angie Arthur.

Agenda for meeting of MSCC on Wed 28 Nov at 7:30pm

The Marchmont and Sciennes Community Council will next meet on 28th November 2012 7.30 pm at St Catharine’s Argyle Church Hall, Beaufort Road

PLEASE NOTE THIS MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE LARGE HALL TO ACCOMMODATE EXTRA PARTICIPANTS, and we are advised it will be available from 7.20 pm

All who live or work locally are welcome to attend!

A G E N D A

1 Sederunt and apologies

2 Minutes of the previous meeting on 26th October.

3 Any matters arising from the minutes not listed below.

4 Treasurer’s Report

5 Police Report

6 James Gillespie’s Schools: Joyce Nisbet (City of Edinburgh Council) will give
information about the progress to date of the rebuilding programme and respond to
questions and discussion.

7 The present status and future plans for the temporary classrooms to be erected for
James Gillespie’s Primary School.

8 Items from South Central Neighbourship Parnership Report (Meeting on 26th November).
 -- Recycling
 -- Condition of the Meadows and Bruntsfield links
 -- Bicycle Parking

9 Proposals for Capital Roads Programme, 2013-14

10 HMO report

11 Christmas Tree Lighting - report on progress

12 Brief reports and notices
 -- Students in the Community
 -- Transport Forum
 -- LDP Training 23rd January 2013
 -- Scottish Health Campaigns Network

14 AOCB

15 Date of next meeting: 23 January

Public meeting on 28 November: Progress and plans for construction: James Gillespie’s High & Primary Schools

edited 1 Nov to include correct date!

Notice of Public Meeting

Progress and plans for construction:

James Gillespie’s High & Primary Schools

2013 - 2015

Members of the project team will give a presentation

and answer your questions

Wed 28 Nov 2012 at 7.30pm

St Catherine’s Church Halls, Beaufort Road.

All welcome

[The regular MSCC meeting will include this business]

New JGHS and JGPS Nursery and Gym

Work is planned to start on the new James Gillespie's Primary School nursery and gym hall after the Christmas Holidays. Work will carry on through to the summer with the new P6 classrooms being constructed during the summer holidays next year. All work should be completed by the start of session 2013-14.

There may need to be changes to entry and exit points but parents will be informed in
advance of any changes if they are needed.

[via newsletter from JGPS]

Progress with building a new James Gillespie's High School

A newsletter has been distributed to local residents in the vicinity of James Gillespie's High School.  


It summarises the preparation, demolition and tree felling work to take place on the James Gillespie's campus over this summer.

New James Gillespie's High School Head Teacher writing a blog

The new Head Teacher at James Gillespie's High School (Donald Macdonald) is writing a blog.

Planning application submitted for new James Gillespie's High School and Primary extension

As an update to the James Gillespie's Schools Campus website relates:

"The Planning applications for the new High School and Primary extensions have been submitted.

You can view the documents, drawings and other papers online by visiting the Council's planning portal  with the following reference numbers:

• 11/02586/FUL for the new James Gillespie's High School
• 11/02585/FUL for  the James Gillespie's Primary School extension

You can submit comments online through the planning portal or in writing to  the Head of Planning, the City of Edinburgh Council, Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh EH8 8BG, quoting the reference number.

Please remember that although you may have commented through the pre-Planning consultation, if you want  your comments to be considered formally by Planning, you need to lodge them during this Planning process."

The website also has a section entitled "What difference did the consultation make?" that lists some of the changes that were made to the original plans before the planning application went in.  


Although the planning decision is not expected till December preparation work continues, including for the decant, and design work on playground and outdoor learning spaces is expected soon.

The slides shown at the public meeting held in the high school on 21 June are also now available.