New £14.3m primary school is best option for Bertha Park

Council chiefs are pushing ahead with plans for a new primary school on the outskirts of Perth.

Early proposals for a multimillion-pound primary near the new Bertha Park High School were put on hold in September.

Councillors said they wanted a full investigation into a range of options to prepare the area for an influx of families. Around 3,500 homes are planned at Bertha Park, with a further 1,100 in nearby Almond Valley.

Next week, the lifelong learning committee will be told that the £14.3 million new build would be the best option.

Officers also looked at ways of adjusting catchment areas.

Service manager Carol Taylor states in her report: “The (new build) option would accommodate the majority of pupils from the strategic sites with the exception of some pupils from Perth West.

“A new school is likely to make the housing at these sites more attractive to families and therefore contribute towards growth of the area.

“Pupils and staff would benefit from a school building which is well designed and provides a spacious, accessible, bright and modern learning and teaching environment.”

The report states that families at Ruthvenfield Primary and Pitcairn Primary will be consulted about developing a new catchment zone.

Bertha Park High was officially opened on Thursday by Deputy First Minister and Education Secretary John Swinney.

“Perth and Kinross Council’s continued commitment to investing in their school buildings contributes to meeting the demands of local population growth,” the SNP MSP said.