New school bid progressing well
Plans to build a new joint campus primary school in Newmains moved a step closer this week.
All-party agreement to carry out public consultation on the proposal for Newmains Primary and St Brigid’s Primary Schools was reached at the council’s education committee meeting.
The new school is planned for ground near the current St Brigid’s Primary and will also incorporate Early Years and Childcare provision.
Newmains Primary was built in 1908 and has a current roll of 190.
St Brigid’s was built in 1959 and now has a roll of 200.
The six-week public consultation started on Wednesday, November 8, and runs until Wednesday, December 20. Two public meetings will take place. The first is in Newmains Primary School on Monday, November 20, at 7pm.
The second will be held in St Brigid’s Primary on Tuesday, November 21 at 7pm.
Parents, carers, pupils and communities are invited to provide their views through the public meetings and community engagement.
The plan has been warmly welcomed by local elected members.
Independent councillor for Murdostoun, Robert McKendrick, has campaigned for some time to see the joint campus plans bear fruit.
He said: “I am delighted with the proposal for a statutory public consultation on a proposed joint campus new build for Newmains Primary and St Brigid’s Primary schools.
“I look forward to everyone including pupils, parents/ carers, parent councils, staff of the schools and all other associated stakeholders having their say and making their comments in the various ways.
“For me it’s all about our children and their children. They are our future.
“I want them, every one of them who attend these two schools, to have the very best education possible in the safest possible modern facilities.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for us to give them what they deserve, our support in each and every one of their young lives.”
SNP councillor Cameron McManus added: “This is great news for the area.
“It will be fantastic to see a new school being built here.
“It’s been a long time coming but, hopefully, we can now move on and see work start on the building.”
The plans are part of phase three of the £100 million schools’ investment programme, Schools and Centres 21, which will see highquality education facilities being built to provide further opportunities for local pupils.
Convener of the education committee Councillor Frank McNally said, “Providing pupils with access to modern, high-quality educational facilities is a priority for the council and our investment under the Schools and Centres 21 programme underlines our commitment to doing this.
“We have recently seen a significant increase in housing investment in some areas and we are continuing to respond to these changes with proposals to build new shared school campuses, which will meet the needs of local communities while providing pupils with access to improved facilities.”
Further information on the consultation can be accessed at www.northlanarkshire. gov.uk/consultations