New schools planned for Ravenscraig
Ambitious plans to create two new primary schools and nursery classes in Ravenscraig were unveiled this week.
North Lanarkshire Council is working on plans to create one new denominational school and one non-denominational building to go hand-in-hand with the huge housing development at the Ravenscraig site.
The schools would be built on a campus close to the Ravenscraig Sports Facility and New College Lanarkshire.
Around 3,000 homes are expected to be built on the 1,200 acre Ravenscraig site, which will place a huge demand for pupil places on schools in surrounding areas.
This means there will be a shortage of places at both denominational and nondenominational schools, which has also prompted council education chiefs to re-define the existing pupil catchment areas.
Motherwell South East and Ravenscraig councillor Kenneth Duffy hailed the new build plans and is keen to see them progress at the next council education committee on February 25.
He said: “I’m delighted that real progress is now being made on what is one of the biggest issues facing my constituents.
“New schools and nursery classes are sorely needed by families across Ravenscraig in order to fully support the council’s ambitious plans for the area and it is my hope that these proposals are backed by council.
“If these proposals are passed, it is vital that as many people involved take part in the consultation process and public meetings that will be arranged by the council so they can have their say.
“After so many years, I’m delighted to be part of a Labour administration that is finally delivering on the future of Ravenscraig.”
The council outlined the school development plans in education papers published on Friday.
They state that catchment areas should be re-zoned for primary schools in the Motherwell and Craigneuk area including Berryhill, Muir Street, Glencairn, Knowetop, and Keir Hardie.
A redefined catchment zone and the additional brand new building would cater for the increase in pupils coming from the new housing development.
Similarly for the nondenominational schools, catchment areas would be re-zoned for the existing St Thomas, Our Lady’s and St Francis, and Cathedral schools, and the additional school building would support the influx of new pupils.
Funding for this proposal has already been agreed through the council’s Schools & Centres 21 programme and if the proposals for consultation are passed, public meetings would be held to discuss further.
The council has produced separate reports for each school proposals, and each report reads: “A new school will signal to the local community that North Lanarkshire Council values 21st century learning.
“This new build will represent best value through the effective and efficient use of council resources.
“The house building programme in this area provides an excellent opportunity for North Lanarkshire to build a new school, on a campus that already accommodates exceptional sports facilities (Ravenscraig Sports Facility) and FE learning facilities (New College Lanarkshire).
“The new schools will enhance the offering in this area through the provision of 21st century learning and teaching facilities.
“This, along with the new play park in the wider campus, will provide facilities that not only serve the local residents, but the wider population of North Lanarkshire through integrated active travel connections.”