The chair of the independent inquiry into the closure of Edinburgh schools due to structural safety concerns has questioned the quality of building inspections across the country.

17 schools were forced to close in April last year following the collapse of a wall at Oxgangs Primary.

An inquiry report on the Edinburgh incident, led by Professor John Cole, found that the defects were not outwardly visible and could only be identified through more intrusive survey work.

Now The Herald reports that the construction and procurement industry expert has criticised the subsequent school building inspections by other councils saying that some had been “desk-top reviews” or “purely visual”.

The concerns came to light as part of a wider inquiry into the construction and maintenance of school buildings by the Scottish Parliament’s education committee.

In written evidence to the committee Mr Cole explained his inquiry wanted to establish whether the issue in Edinburgh could be more widespread.

He said: “The inquiry sought information from all local authorities in Scotland on the nature of any investigations, findings or incidents that would be relevant to the safety of external walls, particularly in relation to schools.

“Many of the reports of investigations undertaken by other authorities in schools across Scotland provided evidence of the presence to greater or lesser degrees of the same underlying construction defects.”

The Scottish Government also asked councils to conduct a review of their school estate to establish whether similar problems were likely to occur.

Mr Cole said: “It was… evident from the responses provided by the various authorities that the level of investigation that they or their private sector partners had carried out on their buildings… varied significantly from simple desk-top reviews to purely visual inspections to more intrusive inspections.”

Mr Cole also raised concerns about the co-operation he had received from local authorities during his investigation.

He said: “Some authorities were extremely cooperative in sharing information, others were so to a lesser extent.”

Joanna Murphy, chair of the National Parent Forum of Scotland, called for independent evaluations of all building projects in future to ensure correct construction techniques were being followed.

She said: “Self-evaluation of building projects is simply not appropriate. Parents want to know that a third party has ensured that the school building is safe.”

The Association of Directors of Education in Scotland also backed a more thorough inspection regime.

Its submission to the committee said: “Clearly, some of these newer buildings have failed to meet expectations and, therefore, there are risks associated with the current estate which had to be addressed.

“We understand that, in the main, surveys are mainly based on visual inspection and this needs to be reviewed.”

Meanwhile, The Scotsman has reported that remedial work is needed at three primary schools and a community centre in Edinburgh after structural investigations reported faults.

Sections of Towerbank, Cramond and Currie primary schools, as well as Valley Park Community Centre in Gracemount, are currently cordoned off as a precaution with required work expected to be carried out over the summer holidays.

In a letter sent to parents at Towerbank Primary, Andy Gray the chief education officer, explained the plans.

He said: “As you may be aware, we are carrying out a programme of condition surveys across all council buildings.

“The survey of Towerbank Primary School has identified the need for some remedial works to be carried out.

“The school can remain open with the affected areas fenced off as a precaution until works take place. These works will be carried out during the summer holidays.”

He added that fencing would be installed around the gable end of the new extension and the games block to allow the school to open as normal.

Valley Park Community Centre has also been identified as needing work. The community centre may be closed temporarily while the work on the primary schools is completed over the summer.

A spokesman for the city council said: “Council staff including those at the affected schools have been working hard to minimise disruption to pupils and the temporary measures we have put in place mean the schools can remain open.

“Our priority is the safety of the pupils and staff and we want to thank parents for their patience.”

SCN wishes to make clear that an image previously connected to this article, while being part of the Cramond Primary School in Edinburgh, was in no way related to the investigation or in need of repairs.