A new school in Perth has been officially opened by the Deputy First Minister.
The ribbon was cut at the £11 million Tulloch Primary by John Swinney, Scotland’s education secretary and MSP for Perthshire North.
More than 400 pupils can be accommodated at the state-of-the-art school in the north of the city, as well as 40 nursery pupils.
It is a replacement for the former Tulloch Primary building, which was built in 1969. The new facilities include an improved additional support needs base, outdoor teaching areas and a multi-use games area.
Tulloch Primary is the first to be revamped as part of a £55 million investment to upgrade schools across the city.
The plan, to be funded by Perth and Kinross Council and the Scottish Government, includes a replacement for Kinross Primary School and the under-construction Bertha Park in Perth, the first new secondary school to be built in the region since 1972.
Mr Swinney said: “It is an honour to be able to officially open Tulloch Primary School.
“Excellent partnership working has enabled the creation of this fantastic new state-of-the-art accommodation and, along with Kinross Primary School and Bertha Park High School, Tulloch has benefited from £32.5 million of Scottish Government funding.
“This is a fantastic new school that the whole community can be proud of and I wish those who use it all the very best for the future.”
The opening was celebrated with performances by pupils from nursery through to primary seven, including the school’s award-winning glee choir.
Acting headteacher, Michelle Cassidy said: “From day one our children, staff and families have been very positive about our new school.
“We all welcome the bright, spacious and open environment, which offers lots of opportunities to enhance learning and teaching.
“It is wonderful to see the ethos of the school enhanced further making it truly a place where children love to learn.”
Bertha Park High School is due to open in August next year, to accommodate 3,000 homes to be built over the next 30 years.
The opening comes just days after protest were held against council plans to throw out replacement primary schools in order to spend £50 million on redeveloping Perth High School.
Council leader Murray Lyle, said: “The ongoing commitment we have to enhancing the learning and teaching environment in our schools is clearly reflected in the fantastic new facilities here at Tulloch Primary School.
“We are investing very significantly in the school estate in the interests of children and young people in Perth and Kinross, so that they can achieve to the fullest, academically and personally now and into the future.”
