Edinburgh City Council has agreed to invest in three new schools for the city over the next five years.

£7m has been committed to building a new St. John’s RC Primary School and £6.38m towards a new St. Crispin’s Special School.

£618,000 is being put towards work on a new secondary school in the Craigmillar area.

It is expected this school will be open by August 2020.

Councillor Paul Godzik, Education, Children and Families Convener said: "I am really pleased that we are in a position to be able to commit to delivering these schools and I know this will come as extremely welcome news for these school communities.

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"We will undertake a consultation exercise later this year regarding site options for a new St. John's and we envisage the new St. Crispin’s will be built and open for pupils by August 2018.

"Importantly, the investment of £618,000 shows we are reaffirming our commitment to delivering a new secondary school in Craigmillar. This funding will go to early stage design costs to ensure that the school will be ready by 2020, when we believe the new school will be needed."

Funding for the new Portobello High School has also been secured for more than 4 years, but the proposals have experienced delays due to the Council’s decision to build the development on community park land.

A report on the outcome of a consultation which attracted 12,000 responses is due to be discussed at Council on 14 March.

A further £10.5m has also been agreed to go towards other capital projects in the city.

(IT)