Russell update on schools project

Sep 26 2012

The next 30 schools earmarked for construction or substantial refurbishment have been announced by the Education Secretary.

About 26,000 pupils will benefit from the programme, said Michael Russell. The list of schools was expanded by 12 as part of the budget announcement by Finance Secretary John Swinney last week.

Mr Russell said: "By identifying all 30 schools now, we can get the projects moving and offer some certainty to one of Scotland's key industries, providing a welcome boost to our economic recovery. I look forward to seeing how these projects will develop in the coming months and will endeavour to visit as many as I can."

New schools include a secondary to replace Torry and Kincorth academies in Aberdeen, a primary school in North Uist and a secondary to replace Kilmarnock and James Hamilton academies in the Ayrshire town.

Other buildings include a replacement secondary for Buckhaven and Kirkland high schools in Fife and a new secondary to replace Ardrossan and Auchenharvie academies in North Ayrshire. West Calder high school in West Lothian and St Patrick's primary school in Inverclyde will be refurbished.

Construction is expected to start at 12 of the schools within the next 12 to 18 months.

The announcement comes a week after Mr Swinney pledged an extra dozen schools will be built in the overall Scottish Government programme, taking the total from 55 to 67 built across Scotland by 2018. The extra schools were made possible after £80 million savings were identified by the Scottish Futures Trust.

Mr Russell announced the new list during a visit to a Newbattle community high school in Midlothian, which features among the 30.

Council leader Bob Constable said: "This is excellent news. This investment will be a catalyst for regeneration as well as providing an excellent replacement for a school which has provided splendid service over the last few decades but now, sadly, is showing its age.

"We are an ambitious council and it's great to see that ambition rewarded with funding through this programme. Today is about celebrating a major step forward for Midlothian. In the months and years to come, we will be looking at reviewing the facilities we hope to provide from the new school site and will undertake consultation as you would expect at that point."