The opening of the the new West End schools on Thursday morning was a red letter day in the West End as we celebrated the opening of two new primary schools and a nursery on a shared campus on the corner of Blackness Road and Glenagnes Road.
Looking in from the outside, the new three storey building clearly looks like a school but it's hard to imagine that inside there are three schools: St Joseph's RC Primary School, Victoria Park Primary School and Balgay Hill Nursery School. Each school has their own discrete cluster of classrooms together with shared facilities such as the assembly hall, the playgrounds and the gym.
Looking in from the outside, the new three storey building clearly looks like a school but it's hard to imagine that inside there are three schools: St Joseph's RC Primary School, Victoria Park Primary School and Balgay Hill Nursery School. Each school has their own discrete cluster of classrooms together with shared facilities such as the assembly hall, the playgrounds and the gym.
It was clear from the opening ceremony and our tour of the campus, that teachers and pupils are proud for their new school and appreciate the outstanding facilities that this new campus provides.
Having been involved in commissioning of these new schools as part of Labour's 2008/2012 Capital Plan, and taken part in the consultation meetings in March 2009, it was good to return to see at first hand how our architects had imaginatively used the space on this site to create 21st century facilities for the pupils in in this Tardis like building.
I know our teachers will do their best to exploit the enhanced possibilities for teaching and learning in their fine new schools. For my part, I shall continue to advocate for the protection of staffing levels which will deliver the curriculum for excellence.
West End Councillor Richard McCready also commented:
As a local Councillor, local resident and indeed a parent of a child at one of the schools I am delighted to see these schools officially open. This investment is a legacy of the Labour-led Administration. I know that the young people have settled well in to their new school. Staff and pupils are enjoying the improved facilities. I wish Balgay Hill Nursery, St Joseph's Primary and Victoria Park Primary all the very best as they continue to exploit their new facilities. This investment in the West End is to be welcomed and I will campaigning to ensure that investment in education in the city is maintained.
