The Scottish Government is to initiate an immediate independent review of health and safety concerns at a schools' campus built over a landfill site.
The move comes after parents and teachers led a walk-out at Buchanan and St Ambrose High School campus near Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire.
John Swinney, the Deputy First Minister and Education Secretary, said the review had been jointly agreed between the Scottish Government, North Lanarkshire Council and NHS Lanarkshire.
It will be completed as soon as practicable and ahead of the next school year, he said.
Since the opening of Buchanan High and St Ambrose High in 2012, four former or current teachers have all been treated for bladder cancer.
In addition, the campus has also been the subject of a drinking water scare after the supply turned blue several years ago.
READ MORE: Toxic legacy of landfill site fuels fears over safety of schools
Health experts have said the cancers are not linked to the school because staff were not there long enough to have contracted the disease. They have also argued safety sensors at the school would have picked up any leak of toxic materials from the landfill site.
The council says the blue colouration was a result of water lying in copper pipes before the school opened and it not dangerous to health.
However, parents and teachers don't believe current health and safety measures have been thorough enough with some families keeping their children at home and members of the NASUWT teaching union taking strike action.
Mr Swinney said: “There have been a number of significant concerns raised by families, teachers and elected representatives about the safety of the Buchanan and St Ambrose High School.
“I recognise that North Lanarkshire Council and NHS Lanarkshire have undertaken extensive work in an effort to address the concerns expressed by the local community.
“However in light of continuing concerns being raised, ministers have agreed with North Lanarkshire Council and NHS Lanarkshire to immediately commission an impartial, independent review."
READ MORE: Parents take children out of 'toxic land' schools over health fears
Mr Swinney said the review would assess the existing evidence and determine if more needed to be done to further mitigate the concerns of pupils, their parents and staff.
The review will be led by the Scottish Government’s Chief Planning Reporter, Paul Cackette, and Dr Margaret Hannah, a former Director of Public Health.
North Lanarkshire Council chief executive Des Murray said: “We welcome this review and the support of the Scottish Government in addressing the concerns of families, staff and the local community.”
NHS Lanarkshire chief executive Calum Campbell said: “Following thorough investigations by our public health department we believe the schools to be safe.
"We welcome the review as an opportunity to provide even further reassurance to families, staff at the schools and the community. We look forward to working with the review team to support this work.”
Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT union, welcomed the review, but said the strikes would go ahead.
She said: "This does not remove the immediate pressures, anxieties and concerns of the teachers at the school and we still believe action needs to be taken, pending the outcome of this review, to address these concerns and alleviate the anxiety staff are facing, anxiety which we know will be shared by parents and the community.
“The review does not alter our position regarding the strike action we have proposed to take to safeguard the health and welfare of our members.”
Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland, added: "The EIS believes that when employees raise significant and legitimate health and safety concerns that employers should act swiftly and positively by conducting tests to allay their fears.
"In addition, employers should be open and timeous in sharing of information and reports with health and safety representatives from trade unions.
"Unfortunately, this has not been our experience in this instance. North Lanarkshire Council has not responded quickly enough nor adequately enough.”
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