Extension project to begin at schools

Work is due to get underway on extensions to two Airdrie primary schools, with the project set to be completed by the end of the year.

The Advertiser told in January how three new classroom spaces were to be created at the All Saints and Rochsolloch campus in Cairnhill to accommodate their increasing pupil numbers.

Glasgow firm, Linear Design & Construct (LDC) has been appointed as the contractor for the £1.1 million project, and is working alongside JM Architects and Blyth & Blyth.

A statement from the Hub South West partnership, which works with and links public bodies, construction firms and suppliers, said: “The project will begin immediately all Covid- 19 restrictions have been lifted, [ and] is anticipated to be complete by Christmas.”

Planning permission was granted in March for an extension at the southeast corner of the All Saints building, opposite the two schools’ shared games hall, to provide two extra classrooms.

An internal courtyard and staff resource area at adjoining Rochsolloch will also be reconfigured to create a further room.

The new classrooms will increase Rochsolloch’s permanent capacity to 313 pupils from its current 255, while All Saints’ pupil roll capacity will increase by 66 places to a potential 305.

A council spokesperson p re v i o u s l y told the Advertiser: “General purpose rooms are currently being used for teaching, so this work will create additional space for both schools.”

Both were relocating from schools which were more than a century old, with Rochsolloch previously having been based at Kippen Street and All Saints – known prior to the campus move as Alexandra Primary – having occupied a building at Broomknoll Street which was originally Alexander’s School and later housed Airdrie Academy.