BALLOCH pupils have helped mark the official start of building work on their new schools.

Pupils from Haldane, St Kessog’s and Jamestown primaries and Jamestown Early learning and Childcare Centre joined Education Convener Councillor Michelle McGinty and Depute Convener Councillor John Mooney as they cut the first sod on the site of the new Balloch Education Campus.

The £16million development will incorporate a new St Kessog’s Primary co-located with an amalgamated Jamestown and Haldane primary school, additional support needs base and early learning and childcare centre.

The building, which is being constructed in the grounds of the former St Kessog’s Primary, will provide state-of-the-art surroundings enhancing enhance teaching and learning for hundreds of pupils.

Councillor McGinty said: "It’s fantastic to see work underway on this development which will deliver a first class education campus for pupils in Balloch.

"This project will move pupils from ageing buildings into brand new schools, purpose-built for modern day learning in which they will be supported to attain and achieve."

Councillor Mooney added: "The Balloch campus marks the latest phase in our school regeneration programme which has developed new schools right across West Dunbartonshire.

"This development is going to enhance the education experience of generations of young people in Balloch."

The new campus is expected to open next winter and is being constructed by Morgan Sindall.

Back in January 2015 West Dunbartonshire Councillors voted to build a new the purpose-built education campus in Balloch, incorporating two of the primary schools, an early learning and childcare centre and an additional support needs base.

The new campus on the existing St Kessog's site will educate almost 500 children and replace substandard schools with modern, efficient buildings which will encourage imaginative learning for pupils and innovative teaching.

Pedestrian and vehicle access will also be enhanced with plans to create a new route into the site.

And in June The Reporter told how the official name of the new site would be Balloch Primary and that the new uniform will be introduced at both Haldane and Jamestown Primary from August 2017- in preparation for the pupils starting the new school later that term.