Auchengray and Braidwood secure new primary schools

In what is seen as a legal formality, the education authority South Lanarkshire Council has now applied to itself, in its planning authority guise, for permission to build two new schools, at Braidwood and at Auchengray.

The fact that both communities were to get new school buildings under the council’s schools replacement and modernisation scheme has been known for some time and, indeed, pupils from both have been moved out of their old buildings and are currently in decant schools awaiting their new ‘homes’ being built.

The council’s plans for the new Auchengray School – its pupils currently being bussed to and from Carnwath – is for an “oversized” main classroom “with teaching wall, complete with substantial storage and interactive LCD screen, a large, general purpose teaching area with storage and interactive LCD screen plus a combined gym/dining Room as well as other ancillary accommodation”.

A council spokeswoman added: “There will also be a multi-use games area that will be available for out of hours, community use.”

It is not yet known if a consultation of parents resulted in the council returning this school to a full seven year primary status.

Lack of room back in the 1970s led to Primaries 5 to 7 children being taken to Carnwath to complete their primary education.

Parents are being consulted on whether they want all the youngsters of the Auchengray catchment area ‘reunited’ again.

At Braidwood, pupils are currently being bussed to and from the old Crawforddyke Primary in Carluke.

But the new school will have seven classrooms, a general purpose room, library, gym hall and dining room.

Again, there will be a multi-use games area.

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