The council said: “The investigations involved removing small section of brickwork in specified locations to allow the structural engineers to assess wall tie embedment and other forms of restraint. On completion of the investigation all openings were closed up.

The investigation at Armadale Academy concluded that header ties and frame cramps were present as required, however where wall ties were exposed, approximately half did not achieve the minimum required embedment in the outer leaf.

The structural engineers concluded that remedial work was not urgently required but should be programmed at the earliest convenient opportunity.

The installation of remedial wall ties to all areas of brick/block construction followed and this work was undertaken in July 2016 and overseen by in-house Clerk of Works and West Lothian Council appointed structural engineers.

The investigation at Deans Community High School concluded that in general the wall ties at Deans Community High School were found to have adequate embedment with the exception of one area at the dining hall. Installation of remedial wall ties were carried out to this area. This work was undertaken in May 2016 and was overseen by in-house Clerk of Works and West Lothian Council appointed structural engineers.

The investigation at Bathgate Academy concluded that apart from one specific area within the sports hall, the wall ties were installed correctly. Remedial work was carried out to this area by the PPP1 contractor and this work has been reviewed by West Lothian Council appointed structural engineers for assurance purposes.”