Earlier this year the West Dunbartonshire Council’s Educational Service developed plans to refurbish 10 primary schools in the first phase of a two stage project using funds announced earlier this year as part of the Council’s 2015/16 budget.

The first phase of work, now underway, will upgrade Levenvale, St Patrick’s, Clydemuir, Carleith, Braehead, Whitecrook, Knoxland, Gavinburn, Linnvale and Gartocharn primaries. There will also be further works to enhance fire safety at a number of other schools.

The £2.75million project includes electrical upgrades, window, door and roof replacements, external improvements and redecoration and on completion the condition gradings of all 10 schools will be improved from category C, showing defects, to condition B, satisfactory.

A report set to go before the Educational Services Committee on September 2 states plans for a second phase of work depend on the decision on the new Alexandria campus - taking the total investment to £5.5million.

The report states: “If the proposal to construct a new campus to replace St Mary’s, St Martin’s and Renton is approved, then there will be sufficient funds available in Phase 2 to: upgrade all remaining primary schools with current condition ratings of C to Condition B; prevent some primary schools currently rated as condition B from deteriorating and dropping to condition C; and address outstanding health and safety issues in condition B schools.” If the campus is not approved work will have to be carried out to upgrade the three schools involved.

Terry Lanagan, Executive Director of Educational Services, said: “Our department wants to ensure all of our pupils are educated in the best possible environment for learning. The Council has built new schools and is regenerating others to ensure we provide facilities which can support 21st century learning. This latest investment programme complements this on-going regeneration and benefit hundreds of pupils across West Dunbartonshire.”