Union demands teachers at 'toxic' school be offered medical testing

Scotland's largest teaching union, the EIS, is demanding pupils and teachers at Buchanan and St Ambrose High school's in Coatbridge be offered medical screening.

It follows a report yesterday which says the investigation into the 'toxic schools' was flawed.

The EIS has repeatedly said that medical screening is required in order to start rebuilding trust between the school community and the local authority, and to examine all remaining health concerns associated with the site of the two schools.

The EIS call comes as a new analysis of the Independent Review of the school campus, published yesterday, has highlighted concerns over the methodology adopted by the review group.

Commenting, EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said, “It is essential that North Lanarkshire Council and NHS Lanarkshire work to rebuild trust with the school community, including the pupils and staff at Buchanan and St Ambrose high schools. The EIS calls upon the Site Recovery Group, established following the Independent Review, to move forward and facilitate medical screening for all pupils and staff who wish it in these two schools.”

Mr Flanagan added, “The EIS has noted the concerns expressed in the analysis published yesterday by Professor Andrew Watterson of the University of Stirling, over the methodology adopted by the Independent Review group. It is, therefore, even more important that these screening tests should be undertaken to allay fears.

"The more obfuscation and delay from the authorities in North Lanarkshire, the more suspicious and anxious the community becomes. Medical screening can be undertaken fairly cheaply and could provide long-overdue reassurance to pupils and staff within these two schools, as well as identifying any possible issues which may require further medical investigation."

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