Work begins on state-of-art school

Site preparations get underway at West Calder High

West Calder’s new £32m high school is a step nearer reality.

Site preparation has begun on the building which is West Lothian’s largest ever single investment in education.

The new school is due to open in 2018 and will include a swimming pool, floodlit 3G sports pitch, and sports facilities for school and community use.

It is being developed through Hub South East Scotland, with Morrison Construction appointed to build the new school.

Pupils from West Calder High School joined depute leader of West Lothian Council, Cathy Muldoon, and vice-chair of the Education Executive, David Dodds, at the site to mark the occasion, along with representatives from West Lothian Council, Hub South East and Morrison Construction.

Councillor Cathy Muldoon said: “It’s fantastic to see work start on the new West Calder High School, with a good deal of activity now taking place to get the site ready for construction.

“We are investing over £ 100 million in education infrastructure projects to ensure West Lothian children have the best possible learning environment. West Lothian already has one of the best school estates in the country and our ongoing investment will build on this.

“The construction work will also provide valuable training and job opportunities for local residents, and a local liaison group will ensure the West Calder community are kept informed of developments as the project progresses.”

A new £ 5.5 million rail overbridge and access road is currently being built to provide a direct link to the school from the A71.

Councillor David Dodds added: “As a teacher, I know the benefits that improved school facilities can make to the learning experience for pupils.

“The new modern, highquality school will be a superb resource for our local young people, as we aim to do all we can to help them achieve their full potential.

“I’m sure the whole West Calder High School community will be delighted with their new school when it opens in 2018.”

Chief executive of Hub South East Scotland, Paul McGirk, said: “After working in partnership with West Lothian Council on the design and development of this exciting new High School, it’s exciting to reach the major milestone of construction and see the plans closer to becoming a reality.

“We are proud to be assisting the council in delivering its biggest single investment in education.

“We will ensure that the benefits are realised, not only by the staff and pupils using their new high quality facilities, but in the local economy through the positive impact from jobs, apprenticeships and small business involvement.”

A l l a n C u n n i n g ham, operations director at Morrison Construction, said: “We are tremendously proud to be delivering the new West Calder High School, which will provide a modern environment for the community to enjoy and a stimulating learning environment for both pupils and staff.

“We look forward to working closely with our partners, Hub South East and West Lothian Council, to complete the development, which will create benefits for the entire community.”

And he concluded about the work: “During the construction programme we will be working closely with the local community to ensure the project has a longlasting impact.”

Superb resource for our young people to help them achieve potential . . .