Demolition works will start at Woodmill High tomorrow as the rector has admitted there are parts of the fire-damaged buildings that "we won't be able to salvage". 

Sandy McIntosh also said arrangements for accommodating pupils within West Fife are progressing and urged people to stay away from the site. 

The headteacher issued an update this afternoon that said: "Things are still moving forward with arrangements for our school community.

“We’re meeting S5 and S6 parents today and with DAS families tomorrow. I appreciate it must be frustrating for other families but please bear with us. Logistical arrangements are starting to line up and I hope we’ll be able to give you some more information tomorrow about plans for S1-S4.

“I believe we’ll be able to accommodate individual year groups together, within facilities in West Fife, by the end of next week. However, there are still some details to be confirmed, so we’ll be in touch with parents and pupils as soon as we can.

“In the meantime, work continues at the Woodmill building too. There are parts of the building that we won’t be able to salvage and demolition contractors are taking control of the site from tomorrow – Friday 30th. The community should therefore be prepared for demolition starting on the DAS wing imminently as we start to make the site safe.

“We must urge people to stay away from the Woodmill site and I’d ask parents to ensure their young people are not heading to this area.

"It is not a safe place to be. Security fences and security guards are in place for a reason. If anyone sees people trespassing on the site, please call the Police on 101.

“Lastly – but by no means least – I must thank all the local businesses, community groups and individuals who have been so generous with fundraising efforts and financial contributions. It’s all greatly appreciated and will be of great benefit to our pupils in due course.”

Senior pupils will return to learning on Monday and it's hoped that pupils who previously attended the school's Department of Additional Support Unit (DAS) - where the fire started - will be able to stay together and attend an alternative unit the following Monday, September 9.

Mr McIntosh said yesterday that “we will have to use space within other secondary schools and community facilities in Fife" and there were a lot of practical issues to work through. 

And he added: “Wherever our pupils and staff are hosted in the short-term, I’m keen to stress that we will still be maintaining our identity as Woodmill High, which will include wearing our uniforms. We’re all sad to have lost our school building, but the building itself doesn’t make a school - we are Woodmill!

S5 and S6 information sessions will be held at Dunfermline High School tonight (Thursday) evening:

S5 at 17:00-17:45

S6 at 18:00-18:45

Due to limited capacity in the hall, families are urged to limit attendance to one parent per pupil. Parking will also be an issue, so if it’s possible to walk or car share, please do.

Earlier in the week, it was confirmed the school would not be able to re-open "in the short to medium-term".

Carrie Lindsay, Fife Council's executive director of children's services, said: "No part of the building is left untouched by the fire.

"The wing containing the assembly hall, sports halls and the technical block is the least damaged, but there are no classroom facilities that will enable us to re-open the school in the short to medium-term.

"We’re working flat out to investigate the feasibility of a range of options for our pupils. There are lots of things to take into account, such as pupil numbers, available spaces, timetabling across year groups and transport.

"We’ve had lots of offers of help, all of which we’re grateful for, and all of which are being explored to find the best possible solutions.  

"In the meantime, we’re doing a range of things to support our pupils and their families.

"Woodmill High teachers are meeting at nearby St Columba’s High School every day. Staff are pulling together homework packages which will be accessible from the school’s website, as well as trying to arrange some practical sessions in local community facilities for senior pupils this week.

"We’ve also arranged free lunch clubs for the remainder of the week to allow pupils to come together in a safe place. School support staff will also be on hand at each lunch club venue to talk to pupils and any parents who choose to go along.

"We’ll be arranging an information session for Woodmill parents and carers later this week and will issue details as soon as we can.

"Parents, carers and pupils will continue to hear directly from headteacher Mr Sandy McIntosh and his team."

Sunday's blaze, which the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's incident commander, Roddie Keith, described as "complex", was battled by 80 firefighters at its height.

Three of those, two of whom were taken to hospital as a precaution, suffered from the effects of heat exhaustion but have made a full recovery.

A 14-year-old male was arrested and charged in connection with the incident, and appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Tuesday.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared on petition on a charge of wilful fireraising to danger of life. 

No plea was made and the case was continued for further examination.

He was released on bail.

A  JustGiving page, which was set up to raise funds for new resources and equipment for the school, had raised more than £9,000 by Wednesday lunchtime.

In a fantastic show of community spirit, former pupils and other supporters have pledged the huge sum in support of the campaign, set up by Karen Anderson, and which can be supported here:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/karen-anderson-2?utm_id=66&utm_term=Mr6qgNW4j

Photographs have revealed the scale of the destruction caused by the fire at Woodmill High School.

The school's rector, Sandy McIntosh, said: "We understand this is very disruptive for families - we’re investigating all our options and will keep parents, pupils and staff updated as we progress.

"Teachers are working on ways to help pupils continue with their study from home and will be in touch soon.

"We’re looking at all our options for accommodating pupils in both the short and long term.

"I’d like to thank everyone who’s offered help and support. It’s all greatly appreciated and will help us as we consider what’s going to be best for our young people.

"We realise this is a difficult time for our families and the wider community and we’ll be putting in place a range of support in the coming days and weeks."

Dunfermline and West Fife MP, Douglas Chapman, has said that he has written to the Scottish Government's Cabinet Secretary for Education, John Swinney, to determine what support can be provided by Holyrood.

He said: "This is a devastating incident for the Woodmill school community and I feel heart sorry for Sandy McIntosh and his staff who have worked so hard to make Woodmill a school where every pupil is valued.

"I have written to John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education, at the Scottish Government to see what immediate help can be offered to Woodmill High and to stress the urgency of the situation we now face.

"This is a sad day for Dunfermline but despite the situation, I have been heartened by the effort from the community to pull together and highlights the spirit we have in the town.

"I would also like to extend my thanks to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the police in their brave efforts to put out the fire and make the area safe for residents."

In a joint statement from the co-leaders of Fife Council, Councillors David Alexander and David Ross said: "This is a very sad day for Dunfermline and Fife and the school community of Woodmill High School are understandably devastated.

"It is too soon to say how badly damaged the school is, or how long it will need to remain closed. We'd like to reassure our pupils and their families that it is an absolute priority for us to get them back in school as soon as possible.  

"We'd like to thank the firefighters from SFRS for their tireless work to bring the fire under control. We are so grateful to them for their dedication. Thanks also to Police Scotland officers who have also worked through the night to keep everyone safe. 

"Thankfully, no-one has been injured but our thoughts are with the staff, pupils and families as they come to terms with what has happened."