Fifth phase of ‘Schools for the Future’ starts

Some £28M will fund the construction of four new schools across Scotland, as part of the fifth phase of the £1.8Bn ‘Schools for the Future’ programme.

In total, the programme will deliver 116 schools, benefitting over 60,000 pupils, and seeing at least one new school built in every local authority area in Scotland.

The fifth phase of funding comprises four new school projects:

• Jedburgh Intergenerational Campus, which will replace Jedburgh Grammar School, Parkside and Howdenburn Primary Schools, in the Scottish Borders
• Sighthill Community Campus, which will replace St Stephen’s Primary School and St Kevin’s Primary School in Glasgow
• Underbank Primary School, South Lanarkshire will be replaced, as will
• Walston Primary School

Funding for the programme is being provided by both the Scottish Government (some £1.13Bn) and local authorities, who will contribute the remaining funds.

Phase V of the programme is going ahead due to the Scottish Futures Trust’s (SFT) good management and careful monitoring of the programme budget and contingency, enabling more schools to be built for the same Scottish Government funding.

The fifth phase was announced by Deputy First Minister John Swinney during a visit to Jedburgh Grammar School.

Under new proposals, the current school will be replaced by Jedburgh Intergenerational Campus that will include sports facilities and a community hub, alongside education provision for two to 18 year olds.

Mr Swinney said: “We originally aimed to build or refurbish 55 schools across Scotland at the outset of the programme in 2009 and have now more than doubled that commitment.

“These new buildings will provide children and young people with inspiring learning environments and some also include facilities for wider community benefit and use that will be enjoyed by generations to come.

“The projects are also a welcome boost to the local economy, creating apprenticeship opportunities for young people and construction jobs across the country.”

Gemma Boggs, education delivery director at the Scottish Futures Trust, said:  “We’re absolutely delighted that by careful management of the budget and programme, four more schools are to be built from the existing programme budget.

“This will benefit 1,000 more pupils and will take them out of poor condition schools and allow them to learn in well-designed, fit-for-purpose schools aligned to modern teaching methods.”

Councillor Carol Hamilton, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Children and Young People, said: “During extensive consultations we have carried out with the community, it was obvious that a new campus was required to provide the children and young people with the education and learning experiences that they need.

“We thank the Scottish Government for their support and look forward to delivering a facility which will prove a real asset to the Jedburgh community.”

 

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