Pupils from different schools will now be able to mix

Parents had accused the local council of keeping Roman Catholic and non-denominational children apart when the schools moved onto the same campus two weeks ago.

More than 2,000 pupils from St David's and Dalkeith High and Saltersgate special needs school are now based at one site in Dalkeith.

Midlothian Council said keeping pupils apart between classes had always been part of the plan while the youngsters settled in to their new surroundings.

The local authority maintained it had nothing to do with religion.

The play areas and shared dining facilities are now open to all pupils from both schools.

Bold attempt

Teachers will also share their staff room, which can be divided temporarily for individual school meetings.

Midlothian Council leader Adam Montgomery said: "We are just over two weeks into the new term and the time is right to confirm the new procedures for the schools.

"It has always been the intention of this council to have communal areas used by both school communities and following a meeting with headteachers this morning, we have confirmed that from Monday the playgrounds and dining facilities will be fully shared by both schools.

"Introducing 1,800 pupils from the old schools to the three new schools on the campus has been a huge logistical task and there has been concern and caution during this process.

Three schools share the campus in Dalkeith

"However the settling in period is now over and we are ready to move on with these new arrangements."

Dalkeith's new shared campus was widely regarded as a bold attempt to bring down barriers in Scotland's education system.

One mother whose son and daughter attend different secondary schools told BBC Scotland that her children had complained about not being allowed to speak to each other in the playground.

Education director Donald MacKay said the short-term measure had been introduced to ensure the transition went as smoothly as possible.

He denied claims that security guards were signed up to patrol the playground to keep pupils apart.