The ground for the new Pumpherston and Uphall Station Community Primary School was broken today by Skills Minister Keith Brown.
The school, near Livingston, is the first of those funded through the flagship £1.25 billion Scotland’s Schools for the Future programme to get underway.
The ground for the new Pumpherston and Uphall Station Community Primary School was broken today by Skills Minister Keith Brown.
The school, near Livingston, is the first of those funded through the flagship £1.25 billion Scotland’s Schools for the Future programme to get underway.
It comes on top of the 300 schools the Scottish Government has already rebuilt or refurbished since 2007.
Mr Brown said:
“This is a significant milestone in work to improve Scotland’s school estate and comes just a day after news that a record number of school pupils are now in good school accommodation.
“The Scottish Government is providing £800 million of investment which will see 55 new schools built the length and breadth of the country through the Scottish Futures Trust, who will also ensure this investment delivers best value for the public.
“Curriculum for Excellence will ensure our pupils are in the best position to succeed in a modern world economy, but it is also vital that they are taught in the best learning environments. Our ongoing investment in school buildings will ensure this is the case.
“I am confident that once completed, this new primary school will be a flagship Scottish school and the local community and West Lothian as whole will be very proud of it.”
Leader of West Lothian Council Peter Johnston added:
“The school will serve as a new community ‘hub’ by integrating modern facilities such as a new library, a multi-purpose hall and PE facilities, which the whole community can use. The great location will provide a natural park setting for the new school as well as creating opportunities for integrating outdoor learning into the curriculum.”
“Pupils, teachers and parent groups were consulted over the design, and every effort has gone into ensuring the building can be extended in the future, providing extra capacity when new houses are built in the area. Local residents have been waiting for this day for a long time and I’m sure they will be delighted with the new facility.”
Barry White, Chief Executive of the Scottish Futures Trust, said:
“Pumpherston and Uphall Station Community Primary School is the first well-designed, cost effective and sustainable school to start building as part of Scotland’s Schools for the Future Programme, which is managed by the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT).
“SFT will ensure all 55 schools in this £1.25 billion programme are delivered at best value to the taxpayer.”