A new build West Calder High School is being brought forward by West Lothian Council, following the Executive Committee's decision to agree on a revised investment project for the development.

The council currently has an existing approved capital project to deliver £12m of investment at West Calder High School, which is being jointly funded with £4m from West Lothian Council and £8m from phase 3 of Scotland's Schools for the Future programme.

A review of the planned extension found that the current project does not represent full value for money or provide sufficient lifespan for the building, considering the proposed level of investment. It was decided that a new-build project would be more appropriate. A new school site will now be identified.

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Executive councillor for education, Lawrence Fitzpatrick commented: "It is vital that we provide the best possible learning experiences for young people in West Lothian. Plans were in place for improvements and an extension at West Calder High School however it has become evident that the best outcome would be for the school to be replaced. I look forward to more information being presented to a meeting of the Education Executive in December."

Councillor Cathy Muldoon, Depute Leader of West Lothian Council, added: "I'm sure that this fantastic news will be welcomed by the whole school community. A brand new West Calder High School will provide a state-of-the-art environment for 21st century learning for our young people. A formal consultation will be launched in the near future."

A report on the consultation will be brought to the Education Executive in December.

Confirmation has been received from Scottish Government that part funding would be provided to enable the new build solution to be taken forward as a Non Profit Distributing (NPD) project under the Schools for the Future programme.

(IT/MH)