The official opening of Burnside Primary School took place on Wednesday 24 September - completing the first phase of Angus Council's £50m school building programme in Forfar and Carnoustie.

Burnside opened its doors to pupils as part of the programme to provide a total of six new primary schools and one secondary school across the two burghs.

Under the project, hundreds of children are reaping the benefits of the most significant investment in the school estate by Angus Council in 40 years.

Phase two of the project is also well underway, with Carlogie Primary expected to reopen towards the end of this year, occupation of the Carnoustie High new building to be completed in early 2009, and the new Langlands Primary to open to pupils by spring/summer 2009.

Education convener Peter Nield said: "The official opening of Burnside is the latest sign that this huge project is successfully nearing its completion. By summer next year, pupils in Forfar and Carnoustie will be educated in schools fit for the 21st century of which the whole community can be proud."

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Sitting in attractive, landscaped grounds, Burnside Primary School is a two stream primary school, designed to provide accommodation for 444 primary pupils with up to 80 pre-school places.

The building is spacious and well equipped creating an active learning environment designed to engage children in a challenging and enjoyable way.

As well as providing the most up to date educational facilities possible for pupils and teachers, Burnside also being used outside hours to the benefit of the whole community.

Head teacher Marlyn Preston said: "Pupils and staff settled quickly into our brand new building. The modern facilities are just fantastic and help to enhance the pupils' learning experiences. Hopefully this wonderful school will develop into a well-used community resource so that as many people as possible can benefit from the facilities."

The opening ceremony was performed by Councillor Peter Murphy and featured music and songs from the pupils.

The school building programme is being delivered by three Robertson businesses - Robertson Capital Projects as overall project manager and investor, Robertson Eastern which will deliver the design and build contract and Robertson Facilities Management which will provide a range of hard and soft facilities management services throughout the 30-year project duration.

(GK/NS)