Greenfaulds High School replacement gets green light

North Lanarkshire Council has received £20 million from the Scottish Government’s Schools for the Future Project. The council has pledged a further £10 million to the project, bringing the total budget to £30 million.

Dr John May, Head teacher of Greenfaulds High School, said: “Pupils, parents and staff are all absolutely delighted to hear that we will soon have a new, modern school building fit for the 21st Century.

“We have really great pupils at our school who have consistently demonstrated their abilities to achieve very high standards. I’m sure that with a new school campus we can achieve even greater improvements in the delivery of teaching and learning by our committed staff and benefit our enthusiastic and hard-working young people.

“The current school has served pupils and community well for 40 years, but the opportunities that a new building offers educational provision at Greenfaulds High can reach new levels.”

The news has been welcomed by the SNP and Labour alike. Local MSP Jamie Hepburn MSP: “This is great news for the entire Greenfaulds High School community. And I would like to pass on my congratulations to Head Teacher Dr John May, his staff and all the pupils there.

“While this is clearly great news, I recognise that it comes at a time when another school in the local area, Abronhill High School, is facing closure. This announcement proves that funds can be raised through innovation and not merely cutting services, and I hope that it will encourage the Council to re-examine their strategy, especially as regards the planned closure of Abronhill High School.”

Education convener Jim Logue added: “Greenfaulds is one of the largest secondary schools in North Lanarkshire and this investment will benefit around 1500 pupils.”

Meanwhile parents and pupils at Abronhill High School continue to fight against closure as the council plans to merge it with Cumbernauld High School in a new building, a move which would save a projected £1.1 million each year.