By Claire Warrender

FIFE COUNCIL’S education committee has approved a £126 million plan to replace and refurbish some of the region’s schools.

Over the next 10 years the Building Fife’s Future programme will see six new schools built and a further six refurbished as part of the council’s commitment to improving educational attainment and achievement for all.

As well as a new primary in Dunfermline, the plans include a new secondary school for Kirkcaldy, and replacement schools for Burntisland Primary, Dunfermline High and Madras College, St Andrews, and either the replacement or refurbishment of Auchmuty High in Glenrothes.

Extensive refurbishment works will also be carried out at the three Leven primary schools, Buckhaven High, St Andrew’s RC High in Kirkcaldy, and Woodmill High in Dunfermline.

A school estate development project board has already been established and it will be responsible for the delivery of all the projects.

In addition, a working group made up of councillors and officers will be set up to monitor progress, give direction, approve business cases and help direct and guide the programme.

Stakeholder groups, including the affected schools’ staff members, pupils, parents and community councils, will also be established and they will provide communication links between Fife Council, the groups they represent, the design team, contractor, parents and pupils.

Education committee chairman Douglas Chapman said, “This is an exciting time for schools in Fife.

“We are spending a previously unheard of amount of money on our school buildings to make sure that youngsters are given every chance possible to succeed.

“This is a programme which will help us to deliver our promise of improving attainment and achievement across Fife.

“There is a huge amount of excellent work going on within our schools and it is time we matched this by providing buildings which are more than just fit for purpose.

“We have a great opportunity now to get these buildings right and in order to do that we will make sure we are consulting with all interested parties throughout this process.”

He added, “We are determined to make these buildings as good as they can be to make sure they are right for all those who will be using them now and in the future.

“Communication is vital to ensure that everything we do will have the full support of the communities involved and will meet their needs.”