Schools plan remains on track

Plans to create two new primary schools in Ravenscraig are still on track despite worries from anxious parents that the Covid-19 pandemic would delay the much needed builds.

North Lanarkshire Council plan 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 non-denominational schools, which has also prompted council education chiefs to re-define the existing pupil catchment areas.

Public meetings originally scheduled to take place back in April were postponed due to the coronavirus and Ravenscraig councillor Kenneth Duffy is determined to see these take place as soon as practically possible probably through a digital platform.

Councillor Duffy said: “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 the first steps through consultation with the public can take place soon.

“It is vital that parents/carers, pupils, parent councils and staff can take part in the consultation process likely to be online due to the changed world we find ourselves.

“These exciting proposals for our young people will further enhance the area.”

The council outlined the school development plans in education papers published in February before the pandemic took hold of the country.