Youngsters of Darvel Primary School and Darvel Nursery School gathered on a crisp, bright afternoon last week to celebrate 'good progress' in the refurbishment of the school and construction of its new nursery wing.

Welcoming invited guests, including staff, parents and elected members, Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council, said: "The progress has been excellent, and we can see the shape of the new and impressive building – a welcome addition to the Darvel townscape and the East Ayrshire educational landscape."

This project, which started in April 2011, sees the nursery school move from its turn of the 20th century building in Ranoldcoup Road to a new-build at the primary school campus in Campbell Street East.

It also includes the removal of dated dining accommodation from the primary, with an upgrade of educational facilities, including improved access and internal layout.

Building work is due to complete in mid-June. Works include the provision of a link corridor from the existing school, leading to new primary school classrooms in the wing, with the nursery on the lower level. First fix mechanical and electrical installations and exterior work on the school and boundary walls have also been completed.

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Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council, paid tribute to local members for their support for the important Darvel project. He said: "This is, as you know, just one of a series of major capital investments we are making in education – including new schools in Kilmarnock, New Cumnock and Patna – and in the facilities here in the Irvine Valley, as represented, for example, by the regeneration work in the centre of Galston.

"I am really looking forward now to the final stages of this project. It will give the primary school children much improved facilities, while retaining the grandeur of the old school building.

"The nursery children and staff will have a modern, state-of-the art building specifically designed for the needs of young people in the 21st century. The co-location of the nursery school with the primary is an important and very visible expression of the ideas behind the Curriculum for Excellence."

Councillor Hugh Ross, Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning, said: "This project follows a full consultation with local people, including parents and staff. Our aim here is to provide a modern facility on an integrated campus with the primary school and we are on schedule to achieve that by June 2012."

Graham Short, Executive Director of Educational and Social Services, said: "The whole project represents a considerable upgrade of educational facilities in Darvel, with an investment of £5 million.

"The move to the new nursery school wing means that children will be educated in a modern facility, co-located with the primary, allowing for better continuity and sharing of resources."

(GK/DW)