West Dunbartonshire Council has taken charge of the new £10.5m St Eunan’s Primary School and Early Education Centre which experts say ‘represents a new benchmark for schools design in Scotland’.

BAM Construction officially handed over the new building on Monday with the Council’s Executive Director of Education Terry Lanangan saying the new St Eunan’s building is quite simply, one of the finest school buildings he has seen in his 30 year career.

The striking trianglular building aims to minimise the corridor environment of traditional school buildings by providing large break out areas located around open courtyards. The result is a light, open and dynamic space supported by state of the art external playgrounds and sports facilities.

Building work began just 14 months ago and on Wednesday 10 November approximately 400 primary pupils and 60 nursery children will move in to begin classes under the supervision of Head Teacher Anne Docherty and her team.

Terry Lanangan said: “The hand-over of St Eunan’s Primary School and Early Education and Childcare Centre is an exciting moment for West Dunbartonshire Council. Not only is this the third primary school opened by the Council this year, it is the final piece in the schools’ PPP project which also comprises 3 new secondary schools and extensive sporting and community facilities.

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“St Eunan’s is a state-of the-art school and centre. It has large classrooms equipped with the latest technology and generous break-out spaces to facilitate modern teaching methods. The use of natural light is maximised, outdoor spaces are imaginatively landscaped and the whole building is environmentally responsible and energy efficient. It is, quite simply, one of the finest school buildings I have seen in over 30 years of involvement in education.

“I am confident that the new building will delight pupils, parents and staff and will enable the school and centre to build on their previous achievements and move on to even greater success in the future.”

Convenor of Education, Cllr Jonathan McColl said the new school is the perfect setting for educating our children.

Cllr McColl, said: "The new school is fantastic and I know the teachers can't wait to get moved in. I think that this wonderful new school is the perfect setting for educating our children, and under the new curriculum for excellence, our teachers can do what they do best and help our young people grow into confident individuals, successful learners, effective contributors and responsible citizens."

Robert Young, Director of BAM PPP UK Ltd, said: “We are delighted to be handing over the new St Eunan’s Primary School and Early Education and Childcare Centre. We believe the West Dunbartonshire schools represent a new benchmark for schools design in Scotland. This marks the final phase in the construction process which began on the secondary schools in January 2008. The design concept for St Eunan’s really did excite everyone associated with the project at bid stage and it is great to see that design become a reality and bring about the completion of what is a superb campus with schools designed for 21st century learning and teaching and community use. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Council and the school during the years ahead to support the school’s ongoing success.”

(GK)