Pupils line up for new class

Pupils at a Perth primary school have marched into a bright new future.

The staff and students of Oakbank Primary School completed their longawaited move to new premises just yards from the old school.

A piper led the excited youngsters and delighted teachers, class by class, from their previous playground into the new school on Oakbank Road.

It was the culmination of an 18-month wait for the community which has seen the state-of-the-art new build emerge, brick by brick, on the former playing fields.

The £8.5 million school brings nursery and primary provision under one roof and includes new provision for children with additional support needs.

The opening, a fortnight before the schools break up for summer holidays, was a welcome boost, especially for P7 pupils who feared they would not be able to spend any time in the building.

Over the summer break, the empty old building will be demolished and new playing fields created in its place.

The current playground will provide parking provision.

The timetable meant there was no disruption for the school while building was ongoing.

The project was started after an examination of the old building, dating from the 1960s, showed it was unsuitable for mere refurbishment.

As a pre-fabricated “Clasp” school constructed from light steel frames, it had outlived its usefulness.

Education and lifelong learning convener Bob Band said: “This primary school is a dynamic place in which to learn and work with lots of creative and exciting learning taking place from nursery up to P7.

“The staff work very well as a team to support children in their learning.

“Their new school will only enhance and facilitate this further.”

The work is part of an investment of nearly £80m in schools across Perth and Kinross.

The project includes substantial upgrades at Perth Grammar School and the installation of an all-weather pitch at Perth Academy.

Crieff, Kinross and the Tulloch areas of Perth will also boast new primary schools, Alyth will have a major extension and a new sports hall is being built at Perth High School, close to Oakbank Primary.

Picture: Louis Flood. Oakbank Primary pupils make their long-awaited move into their new £8.5 million school in Perth – just yards from the old premises. A piper led children and teachers class by class into the state-of-the-art building.

Pictures: Louis Flood. Piper Adam Scrimgeour led the parade to the new building.

Happy day: Perth youngsters make their way to the new school.