£5m school upgrade work over summer

Almost 80 projects underway to help education facilities

Work has just got underway on a £5 million summer investment programme in West Lothian’s schools.

Almost 80 projects which range from major extensions to to smaller planned improvements are underway.

Among the work taking palce is a new hall extension at Peel Primary School, Livingston. The project started earlier this year and it is expected to be completed by the autumn. Summer works in the region of £300,000 will be undertaken at the school.

A new hall extension and entrance is being built at St Anthony’s Primary School, Armadale, and a new hall extension and internal alterations at Toronto Primary School, Livingston, is underway and it is expected to be completed in October this year.

Linlithgow Academy’s home economic rooms will undergo a £180,000 refurbishment.

St Kentigern’s Academy will have a new £ 500,000 roof and work is expected to be completed in September.

The five classroom extension at Pinewood School, Blackburn, is expected to be completed in August.

Slate roof repairs costing £100,000 at Armadale Primary School are expected to be completed in September.

A nursery extension and an alteration to the hall at Broxburn Primary School is underway and is expected to be completed by the end of August.

A hall extension at Blackridge Primary School is expected to be completed for the return to school in August.

A nursery extension at East Calder Primary School is expected to be completed for the return to school in August.

Work will continue at Howden St Andrews Primary School in Livingston on further internal improvements and playground resurfacing.

And a new nursery extension at Mid Calder Primary School is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Pupils, who have been decanted at East Calder Primary School, will be returning to Kirknewton Primary School at the start of the new term. The school has been undergoing a major refurbishment.

Executive councillor for education, Lawrence Fitzpatrick commented: “While the schools are closed for the summer holidays many will be a hive of activity with builders carrying out a range of activities. The long summer holidays provide an ideal opportunity for school projects to move forward at a pace.

“This is one of the most ambitious school improvement programmes to have been undertaken and underlines the council’s commitment to providing an excellent learning environment for West Lothian’s children and young people. Children and young people are a top priority for West Lothian Council and it is vital that we make best use of council tax payers’ money to ensure that investment in our schools and nurseries continues.

“Along with the maintenance and improvement programme West Lothian Council is also delivering the new Southdale Primary School which will open after the summer holidays and a new West Calder High School.”