New school needed to cope with boom in city centre living
ABOOM in city centre living is behind the creation of a new primary – and council bosses have now revealed where the school could be sited.
The Glasgow Times exclusively revealed two years ago that Glasgow City Council planned to create a new hub for children in Laurieston, the Gorbals and the city centre.
Soaring roll numbers meant overcrowding is a risk in the existing schools in the area and numbers are rising as families stay in the city.
A report going to councillors next Thursday says the new school could be on the site of the former Adelphi Terrace Secondary School on Commercial Road.
Councillor Chris Cunningham, city convener for education, skills and early years, said: “I am delighted to be able to bring the proposals and consultation for a new city centre primary school to the City Administration Committee and if agreed, the new school will benefit the many families who are choosing to stay and relocate as part of the successful and ongoing regeneration of the Laurieston and Gorbals area of Glasgow.
“City centre living has become more and more attractive to our families with a resurgence of affordable housing increasingly available as part of the council’s City Centre Living Strategy and people opting for the benefits of urban living instead of moving to the suburbs once they start a family.
“This has resulted in some of the schools in the areas reaching capacity which the consultation and proposals aim to alleviate.”
As the plans go out to public consultation, the report reveals that the preferred building would have space for 14 teaching rooms and breakout rooms as well as a drama hall with stage; music and dance space and a dining hall as well as a media room and sensory room.
The Commercial Road building is currently office space owned and rented out by City Property but
tenants would be moved and the property remodelled.
With lack of space for a games hall, the council will consider using nearby Gorbals Leisure Centre.
In the report, Cunningham describes finding appropriate space as “challenging” due to the scarcity of vacant land in the area.
Alternatively, the public will be asked if they prefer the council buy it and refurbish an old school building on Florence Street.
Cunningham added: “It will also be a chance to look at the catchment areas for the primary schools and associated secondaries to bring them more in line with the trends in placing requests by our families over the last few years.
“There are two options proposed as part of the consultation.
“The report and consultation sets out the benefits of both, with the former Adelphi Terrace Secondary the preferred option on educational grounds.
“If agreed, I would urge all interested parties to take part in the consultation and make their views known when it goes live on November 1.”
If approved by the City Administration Committee there will be a consultation starting on November 1 and running until early January.