Work to enlarge schools

Chryston project

Proposals to construct a new, larger Chryston Primary and an annexe to its high school – to include early years facilities – have moved a step closer after councillors approved the start of design feasibility work.

North Lana rk s h i re Council plans to locate the new facilities on the existing Lindsaybeg Road campus which already houses both schools; with primary pupils being decanted to temporary accommodation “as close as possible” to the site during building work.

The new building is needed because of projected increases in both school rolls due to “significant” housing construction in the area, and because of national plans to almost double early years entitlement, from 600 to 1140 hours per year by 2020.

Chryston Primary is already over capacity at 125 per cent of its intended roll and with temporary modular buildings in use to provide extra accommodation; the building was constructed in 1966 and has no nursery.

The secondary school, opened in 2012, is at 90 per cent capacity with 825 pupils and will also see numbers increasing in future years.

Councillors on North Lanarkshire’s infrastructure committee last week agreed that design work should start on the additional facilities.

Members were told: “Due to the increase of housing in Chryston and the Gartcosh/ Glenboig community growth area, there will be a significant impact on the whole education estate from nursery to secondary.

“It is intended to minimise disruption by carrying out all of the necessary work at the same time.”