The long school holidays - a seven week break - has allowed contractors to move in to schools across Inverclyde to carry out essential repair and improvement works.

While Inverclyde's schoolchildren have been enjoying their summer holidays, a small army of dedicated Council staff have been working hard.

Convener of Education and Lifelong Learning Councillor Iain McKenzie said: "Most people know about the £80m PPP Schools Project which will see two new primary and two new secondary schools built, and of course we already have Newark Primary and Inverclyde Academy. But a lot of time, money and effort are also going into the rest of the schools to make sure pupils are in the best possible environment to learn."

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Among the projects carried out over the summer were the mid-life upgrade of the all weather pitch at St Stephen's High, further refurbishment of St Columba's temporary home in the former Greenock High School building and the refurbishment of Port Glasgow High's PE Department.

Six Primary Schools, Ardgowan, Kilmacolm, Lady Alice, Moorfoot, St Mary's and St John's, have had refurbishment work including roofing work, floor finishes and decoration. Moorfoot, St John's and St Patrick's have had new boilers installed.

Councillor McKenzie continued: "A lot of the work won't be obvious. New boilers have been installed in a few of the primary schools, drainage has been improved in other schools and various structural repairs and improvements have been made.

"We would love to be able to build new schools across Inverclyde and indeed we are fortunate to have such an impressive programme in place. However we also need to look after what we have got and I think the School Estate team and Property Resources have done a fantastic job."

(GK/BMcC)