PLANS for face-to-face teaching to continue for Peebles High School students after the Christmas break have been finalised.

Arrangements for the upcoming prelim exams have also made.

Since the fire which broke out in the school on Thursday, November 28, students from S1-S3 have received face-to-face teaching from Peebles High staff in locations around Peebles, and S4-S6 students have been taught by Peebles staff in Galashiels.

Students will return to their classes on Monday, January 6 with current teaching and transportation still in effect.

S1-S3 students will remain in Peebles and S4-S6 students will stay in Galashiels until January 9 before their prelim exam leave begins on January 10.

Scottish Borders Council has confirmed that all prelim exams for Peebles High students will be held in the High School's new games hall complex, which wasn't damaged by the fire. These exams will run from Monday, January 13 until Friday, January 31.

Prelim exams which had been postponed due to the fire will also be scheduled for this period.

For the duration of the exam leave period curricular and pastoral drop-in support will be made available to students from the High School.

Study spaces will be open at West Linton Primary School and St Ronan's Primary School, Innerleithen, for any S4-S6 students for the exam leave.

Keen to have students back learning in Peebles High School as soon as possible, works in the school will continue over the Christmas break.

Scottish Borders Council’s Chief Executive, Tracey Logan, said: “Although work has started on the Peebles High School site, there remains a significant amount of progress required before we can safely accommodate pupils back within the high school for full time education.

“This includes repairing and reinstating essential services and putting in place temporary toilets and additional teaching space.

“As a result, we have decided to keep the current temporary arrangements in place after the Christmas break as we work to finalise plans for getting all pupils back in to Peebles High School.

“This an absolute priority for us and a significant number of staff from right across the Council are working towards that aim. Teams will be working throughout the holidays and we will continue to keep pupils, parents and staff updated and confirm post-January arrangements as soon as possible.”

Contingency plans have been put in place for winter weather should this occur when the temporary arrangements are in place, and should these need to be activated the Council will communicate with parents through normal channels, including the Council website, social media channels, Radio Borders and Groupcall.

Updates on Peebles High School can be found at www.scotborders.gov.uk/phsfire