Royal High summer programme – change of location.

13 June 2016

ONGOING ROYAL HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING REPAIRS – UPDATE

Since well-publicised building issues became public at a number of schools around Edinburgh we have been in constant communication with senior management at The Royal High School. On a regular basis they have stated to OSCARS that all remedial works will be completed by 20 June, giving us full access to the facilities booked to operate the summer camp with no interruption.

However, we have been informed via a short e mail which required clarification that all works will now be continuing until 6 August. The school is unable to confirm which areas and facilities might be available over the summer holiday period.  We are extremely disappointed. Immediately though our attention turned to providing our clients with a solution so that there is no disruption to the service we offer, the children are able to participate in the programme advertised, and their safety is absolutely assured.

Safety is OSCARS number one priority.  With ongoing works taking place throughout the Royal High site with no clear timetable in place as to which area of the school is undergoing works at any one time, plus the onsite manoeuvring of heavy building machinery, it will be impossible to operate the venue to the standards that we set ourselves and clients rightfully expect. We will therefore NOT be operating the OSCARS holiday programme at The Royal High this summer and have acted immediately to put in place alternative camp options.

We are determined that our clients are disrupted as little as possible and children are in an environment where all activities are on offer, most importantly they are safe, and that our service to you is undiminished. To this end we can now offer you the following two alternative options:

• We have secured the use of Blackhall Primary School to operate from 4 July – 12 August. Blackhall Primary School is situated just 1.3 miles from the Royal High and offers sports hall facilities, outside play areas, art facilities, dining room facilities, drop off and collection point facilities and base room facilities for each age grouping. Although they do not have a swimming pool we have rented the pool facility at Craigroyston High School which we will visit (via coaches) three times each week for those children wishing to swim.

• For children aged 8 and over, and for parents who work close to Edinburgh city centre who would find a city centre drop off and collection convenient, OSCARS operates a sports camp from George Heriot’s School in Lauriston Place. The programme is based from their Centre for Sport and Exercise within the main school grounds and operating times are also from 8am – 6.15pm. Children aged 8 years and above who are keen to try a number of diverse sports may be interested in attending and we will be happy to move your registration from Blackhall (Royal High) to George Heriot’s.

Details of both sites can be found on this website.

We understand fully the disappointment this re-location may cause, but trust you will appreciate that this is a situation beyond our control. We have therefore taken positive steps to provide a workable solution with safety as the primary focus, using venues where our standards can be maintained.

If you already have a booking at the Royal High this summer please consider the above two options and then please telephone our registrations department on 0131 557 7500 or e mail admin@oscarschildcare.com stating the option that you wish to move to. Aneta, Jordan and Natalie in our registrations team will, once they have heard from you, e mail over new confirmations giving details and directions to either Blackhall Primary or George Heriot’s School.

Thank you for your understanding and if you have any particular questions please do contact us – we will be delighted to assist.