Wow factor so important

Monklands’new schools will“provide outstanding learning opportunities”, according to North Lanarkshire’s education committee convener.

Frank McNally said of the latest phase of the Schools and Centres 21 project: “They will provide our pupils with state-of-the-art facilities.

“The buildings will also become highly valued community assets for local groups to enjoy in the evenings and weekends.”

Council leader Jim Logue will see one of the new buildings, the Tollbrae/ St Edward’s joint campus, constructed in his own Airdrie Central ward.

He told the Advertiser last month how he hoped that, subject to planning approval for that site and the Dunrobin/ Petersburn campus, work on those two projects – which are the most advanced of the current phase – could get underway early next year for a potential August 2018 opening.

Councillor Logue said:“Each new school and community campus has made a major impact on the communities they serve. We’ve experienced better attendances, better results and better working conditions for pupils and staff alike.

“We are absolutely committed to providing all our young people with the very best start in life and we have invested over half a billion pounds in new school and community facilities.

“The first time pupils go in there’s a big wow factor – it’s a much more modern environment, fit for purpose and for today’s learning and teaching.

“The standard classroom is an outdated concept now.”