The creation of a £14.1 million shared campus for two Arbroath primary schools reached new heights on Wednesday.
Construction of a state-of-the-art shared campus for Hayshead Primary School, St Thomas RC Primary School and an early years facility is well under way on the playing fields of the existing Hayshead school.
Transport Minister Michael Matheson joined delegates at the ceremonial event in signing the final section of roofing before it was lifted into place.
Among them were children from both schools, teaching staff, local councillors, council officials and representatives from hub East Central Scotland, who are managing and delivering the project, main contractor Robertson Tayside, and Scottish Futures Trust.
Mr Matheson said: “The new, state-of-the-art Hayshead Primary School and St Thomas’ RC Primary School shared campus will benefit generations of pupils, teachers and staff for years to come with a specifically-designed learning environment that the whole community can be proud of.
“The Scottish Government is committed to improving Scotland’s school estate and we are providing £5.8 million towards the project through our Scotland’s Schools for the Future building programme.”
The new shared campus will include dedicated flexible teaching spaces to accommodate both schools, including classrooms, activity spaces and group tutorial rooms.
It will provide shared accommodation, including multi-purpose halls, general purpose rooms and a campus library.
The early years facility on campus will be shared by the existing St Thomas and Hayshead nurseries and there will be a dedicated playgroup area.
The campus has been designed to be fully inclusive for those with additional support needs and includes a multi-sensory room.
The campus will also provide dedicated community facilities.
Externally, there will be two grass sports pitches, together with outside areas to support external learning initiatives and bespoke spaces for early years and children with additional support needs.
Children and staff are expected to move in to their new surroundings in February 2020.
Children and Learning convener, Councillor Derek Wann said: “It is marvellous to see another major milestone reached in the Arbroath Schools Project.
“With an extensive range of modern, fit-for-purpose learning spaces and community facilities, this state-of-the-art campus will be a fantastic seat of learning and serve the community well for generations to come.
“I cannot wait to see the children and staff move in to their new surroundings early next year.”
Gary Bushnell, Chief Executive, hub East Central Scotland said the construction programme continues on schedule for “another high quality education facility for Angus Council that will serve the community for years to come”.
Kevin Dickson, managing director, Robertson Tayside, said the building would be “first class” and “hugely beneficial for pupils, staff and the wider community”.
Gemma Boggs, Education Delivery Director at the Scottish Futures Trust, said: “When open next year, the shared campus for Hayshead and St Thomas RC Primary Schools and the early years facility will play a vital part in the local community, with many facilities available for locals to use.”
