Funding for new schools in Scotland announced

A £28 million investment will be shared between four new schools in Scotland 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.

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.

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 four new school projects will see Jedburgh Intergenerational Campus 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; and Underbank Primary School and Walston Primary School in South Lanarkshire will both be replaced.