£6 million upgrade at school complete
A transformative £6 million upgrade to a Perthshire primary school has been completed.
Longforgan Primary School is now ready to welcome pupils back to the classroom when it is safe to do so, following the ambitious 22-month long project.
The school was ready for ‘reopening’ on Tuesday after it was handed over by the contractor to Perth and Kinross Council last week - although the vast majority of pupils are still being schooled at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The investment at Longforgan increases pupil capacity from 144 to 150 with an additional 20 nursery places being provided, taking capacity for nursery to 32 children. The existing listed building has been refurbished providing auxiliary accommodation and three classrooms, and the new modernised building has replaced the current nursery, dining facility and gym hall.
The facility was closed for the entirety of the construction process with all its pupils being bussed to lessons at Errol Primary School, located around 12 miles away.
Carse of Gowrie ward councillor Angus Forbes hailed the revamp completion as “fantastic news” for Longforgan and the surrounding area.
“This is pretty much a brand new school, the only remaining part is the listed building that was at the heart of the old school,” he said.
“Four years ago when I was knocking doors looking for votes, the school came up over and over again.
“I never imagined we would be able to deliver the school that parents were asking for but I am absolutely delighted that we have done so.”
A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said: “We are delighted to confirm that after 22 months Longforgan Primary School [re-opened] on Tuesday.
“We wish we were able to welcome all pupils back with more of a celebration but under the current COVID-19 circumstances the school will only open to vulnerable children and children of key workers.
“This investment of £6.15m for a new school in Longforgan will increase pupil capacity and provide 20 additional nursery places to accommodate the increased 1140 hours nursery provision.
“The existing listed building has been fully refurbished and modernised providing auxiliary accommodation and three classrooms.
“The listed building has been extended so that all facilities are in the same building, which is built round a large courtyard.
“A large two storey high hall of 179m2 will provide ample facilities for dining and PE and the new classroom extension allows younger children to be accommodated in classrooms adjacent to the nursery.”