Funding for new schools

22 Aug 2017 03:06 PM

Four new schools to share £28 million.

A £28 million investment will be shared between four new schools as part of the fifth phase of the £1.8 billion ‘Schools for the Future’ programme.

This will take the overall number of schools being delivered to 116 and benefit over 60,000 pupils across Scotland.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney made the announcement during a visit to Jedburgh Grammar School, one of the schools which will be replaced.

The proposals for the new Jedburgh Intergenerational Campus include sports facilities and a community hub, alongside education provision for two to 18 year olds.

Mr Swinney said:

“We originally aimed to build or refurbish 55 schools across Scotland at the outset of the programme in 2009 and have now more than doubled that commitment.

“These new buildings will provide children and young people with inspiring learning environments and some also include facilities for wider community benefit and use that will be enjoyed by generations to come.

“The projects are also a welcome boost to the local economy, creating apprenticeship opportunities for young people and construction jobs across the country.”

Gemma Boggs, education delivery director at the Scottish Futures Trust, said: 

“We’re absolutely delighted that by careful management of the budget and programme, four more schools are to be built from the existing programme budget.

“This will benefit 1,000 more pupils and will take them out of poor condition schools and allow them to learn in well-designed, fit-for-purpose schools aligned to modern teaching methods.”

Councillor Carol Hamilton, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Children and Young People, said:

“During extensive consultations we have carried out with the community, it was obvious that a new campus was required to provide the children and young people with the education and learning experiences that they need.

“We thank the Scottish Government for their support and look forward to delivering a facility which will prove a real asset to the Jedburgh community.”

Background information

The four new school projects are:

• Jedburgh Intergenerational Campus will replace Jedburgh Grammar School, Parkside and Howdenburn Primary Schools, in the Scottish Borders
• Sighthill Community Campus will replace St Stephen’s Primary School and St Kevin’s Primary School in Glasgow
• Underbank Primary School and Walston Primary School in South Lanarkshire will both be replaced 

The Scottish Government is providing £1.13 billion towards the Schools for the Future programme, with local authorities contributing the remaining funding.

The £28 million for Phase 5 of the programme has become available due to the Scottish Futures Trust’s (SFT) good management and careful monitoring of the programme budget and contingency, enabling more schools to be built for the same Scottish Government funding.

At least one new school project is being delivered in every local authority area in Scotland.