€d_Modus Vivendi schreef op 23 augustus 2017 13:22:
A € 31 million investment will be shared between four new schools as part of the fifth phase of the Scottish Government’s € 2 billion ‘Schools for the Future’ programme.
The new projects will see Jedburgh Intergenerational Campus replace Jedburgh Grammar School, Parkside and Howdenburn Primary Schools, in the Scottish Borders and Sighthill Community Campus replace St Stephen’s Primary School and St Kevin’s Primary School in Glasgow.
Underbank Primary School and Walston Primary School in South Lanarkshire will also be replaced.
The funding will take the overall number of schools being delivered to 116 and benefit over 60,000 pupils across Scotland.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney made the announcement during a visit to Jedburgh, where proposals for the new intergenerational campus 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.”
According to Mr Swinney, the € 31m has become available due to the Scottish Futures Trust’s (SFT) monitoring of the programme budget and contingency, enabling more schools to be built for the same government funding.
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.”
The Jedburgh campus is to be located in land at Hartrigge Park, subject to planning permission being granted. Work is due to start in Spring 2018 and is expected to last 18 to 24 months.
The project will see Scottish Borders Council team up with development partner hub South East Scotland, while BAM Construction have been announced as the appointed contractor.
Greig Jamieson, hub South East’s commercial director, said: “This is a major investment in education for our client, Scottish Borders Council, and we are delighted to be working in partnership to ensure its successful delivery.
“The new Jedburgh Campus will provide a modern learning experience, fit for the needs of all generations, and as we develop this exciting project, we look forward to ensuring that the community will benefit from investment in the local area.”
Martin Cooper, construction director at BAM Construction, added: “This is our first appointment by Hub South East since joining its supply chain earlier this year and we were absolutely delighted to be given the opportunity to bring our experience to their team on this state of the art learning campus that will be a massive asset to both Scottish Borders Council and the local community.”