A turf-cutting ceremony has taken place for Oakbank Primary School in Perth.

As part of a £9.5m project, the school will benefit from new facilities through the replacement of the existing school building and the improvement of educational facilities at the site.

The scheme is part of Perth & Kinross Council's ongoing capital programme of school upgrades and improvements through hub East Central Scotland Limited (hubco) to enhance the environment for learning and teaching across the area.

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Work will see the new combined primary school and nursery constructed on the playing field adjacent to the current school, which will then be demolished once construction is complete to create new sports pitches and landscaping. The increasing demand for Additional Support Needs (ASN) provision in Perth and Kinross has also been addressed, with ASN facilities included as part of the project.

BAM Construction will undertake the ambitious project which commenced in April 2014. It is hoped the new school will be open and ready for both pupils and staff in August 2015.

Councillor Bob Band, Lifelong Learning Convener, attended the ceremony and said: "The replacement of Oakbank Primary School with these brand new facilities is something I am sure the school community is very much looking forward to. In partnership with HubCo we are working on upgrading education provision throughout the Perth and Kinross area and this project is a significant part of our ongoing school estate strategy."

(JP/IT)