Vandalism fears as Gillespie's waits for gates to be repaired

THE headteacher of James Gillespie's High School fears vandals could strike again after a year-long wait for its gates to be repaired.

The historic 15ft-high gates on Whitehouse Loan were removed in February last year after the wood around the hinges rotted, leaving them in danger of falling and injuring someone.

However, they have not been repaired, and with no way of keeping vandals out, windows at the school have already been smashed and playground equipment damaged.

The city council says the gate repairs will be completed by late summer or autumn, but staff and parents fear vandalism could continue for the next six months.

The school's business manager David Anderson wrote to Nigel Griffiths, MP, asking for his support, and said: "The loss of the gate has encouraged members of the public to use the school as a very substantial shortcut between Bruntsfield and Marchmont.

"During the school day this raises concerns about strangers walking through the school. However the main problem caused by the loss of the gate is the number of intruders and vandals who can gain access easily to the property at night. In recent weeks we have had serious vandalism of campus furniture, the large windows of our Assembly Hall cracked and lights broken."

Headteacher Alex Wallace said the missing gates were becoming an urgent issue for the school: "It makes us much less secure. I don't know whether it's a cost issue but we've certainly made lots of enquiries and they've not told us when they'll be repaired.

"It's a very long wait and I just don't think that the school should not have gates. We're delighted that they're putting plans forward for improvements but this is such a major security issue."

The gates are part of the school's A-listed 16th Century Bruntsfield House. The gate repairs are expected to cost around £15,000.

Mr Wallace said that a temporary barrier of bollards and wire had been put in place, but people simply moved it aside.

The vandalism to date had cost the school around £1,000, but Chairman of the School Council Nigel Goddard said he feared that figure would rise: "It would certainly be better to have it repaired in the autumn than it being left, but that's six months from now and a lot of damage can occur, especially over the summer when there's no one in the school."

Mr Griffiths, who has lobbied the City Council for the gate to be repaired, said: "It is shocking that janitors, teachers and students have had to put up with this for a year and that still no money is available."

A city council spokesman said: "A new gate is a priority for the school so as part of our ongoing investment to improve our school estate we will replace it in the near future. In the mean time, we will work closely with police to help tackle any vandalism problems at the school."