New primary school in Newton Mearns welcomes pupils for the first time

Pupils enjoy their first day at the new Maidenhill Primary School (Photo: Mark F Gibson)

Pupils in Newton Mearns have walked through the doors of the brand new £15m Maidenhill Primary and Nursery Class for the first time today (Monday, August 19).

The school has welcomed pupils into two primary one classes, and at a range of ages throughout the rest of the year groups, as well as children attending the new 120 place nursery class.

With more than 800 homes being built in the surrounding area in the coming years, this school is designed to ensure that East Renfrewshire Council can meet the increased demand for primary and nursery places.

Head teacher Alasdair McDonald said: “I’m looking forward to working in partnership with our new children, families and staff in months and years ahead.

The new Maidenhill Primary School and Nursery Class. (Photo: Mark F Gibson)

“At Maidenhill we have a really unique opportunity to not only build a brand new school, but also shape the new community which is being established around us.

“The facilities available to our young people are phenomenal and will offer our young people the very best learning environment possible. I can’t wait to get started.”

Councillor Paul O’Kane, Convener for Education and Equalities at East Renfrewshire Council, added: “We are committed to investing significantly in the future of our children and young people. The new Maidenhill Primary and Nursery Class will provide the required additional places which will be needed as families move into the new homes in the area.

“Both Kirkhill and Mearns primaries already have high occupancy levels and the nurseries at Calderwood Lodge, Mearns and Hazeldene are almost at capacity.

The interior of the school is spacious, friendly and welcoming. (Photo: Mark F Gibson)

“So as well as creating a high quality educational facility which will deliver for our residents, we are also building for the future as people continue to move to East Renfrewshire to benefit from our fantastic schools and nurseries.”

As part of the development of the school, the catchment areas for Kirkhill Primary and Mearns Primary have been revised to allow a third catchment area to be established for the new school.

The council says these changes will have no impact on transfer arrangements to the associated secondary school.

Maidenhill Primary will be associated with Mearns Castle, which has sufficient capacity to accommodate these additional pupils, and its catchment will not change.