Commenting on the negotiations and the proposals, Edinburgh's Director of Education, Roy Jobson, added: "I am pleased to announce that I will be sending a report to the Council Executive meeting in October reporting on our contract negotiations with ESP.

Although the contract negotiations have been difficult, we have achieved not only the best value for money for the Council but also school buildings of the highest possible quality. As part of the negotiations we explored all the alternative options and I firmly believe we have achieved the best deal through this contract. Our negotiations on the finer details of the contract will continue to ensure we achieve value for money.

" We have been faced with a number of challenges and unforeseen situations. We have now turned these difficulties to our advantage, resulting in a much-improved project that will offer even more benefits to our pupils and staff.

" For example the fire at Oxgangs Primary allowed us to completely review our original plans for Firrhill High School and Graysmill/Willowpark School. The integrated campus will enable primary, secondary and special school pupils to learn and grow together, which I believe will offer immense benefits for each of the school communities. It also means that Firrhill will get improved facilities, Graysmill/Willowpark will get a brand new purpose-built school and in addition we will be able to replace the existing Oxgangs with a brand new school. Parents will welcome the news that work will start on the new St Peter's Primary and the first phase of the Firrhill Campus (new Oxgangs Primary) very shortly.

Councillor Rev Ewan Aitken, continued:

I'm sure everyone will agree that the project we are now taking forward is a great improvement on our original plans. We should also recognise the success achieved already through PPP and our Smart Schools Project. In an incredibly short period of time (two years) we have seen eight new primary schools, two new and two refurbished secondary schools, a new special school and a new community centre open.

Without PPP we would never have been able to achieve this. The feedback I've received from pupils and staff in the new schools has been incredibly positive and highly rewarding -I'm confident that the five projects we have announced today will be every bit as successful and have as great an impact on their school communities. I look forward to work starting soon".

Edinburgh's newest and largest PPP school, Craigmount High School opened last month. Head Teacher, John Fraser, said:

"The transition from our old school to new school went very smoothly. We are very fortunate as the new building offers much better opportunities for both staff and our students."

Students are enthusiastic too about their new school. Mark Bissett, in his 6th year at Craigmount, said: "Now, when you come into the school, you are coming into a fresh, new, modern environment and are immediately hit by the spaciousness of the concourse area. Different departments have been brought closer together and that definitely makes sense. The facilities are amazing and you can see a difference in the way the kids respond to their
surroundings - they have something to be proud of."