Expansions to help manage pupil numbers

Published: Thursday 22 September 2022

This image shows exteriors of the four schools that are to be expanded

Four secondary schools in South Lanarkshire are to be expanded to help manage an increase in pupil numbers.

Community Growth Areas (CGA) across South Lanarkshire, as part of the City Deal agreement, has resulted in significant housing expansion.

Calderside Academy will increase by a total of eight additional classrooms and a multi-purpose area, together with ancillary and other associated space. The new classrooms would be for additional support needs pupils (ASN), which would allow the mainstream classrooms currently being used for ASN to then revert to mainstream accommodation.

A separate teaching block close to the existing school building will be constructed at Holy Cross High School, allowing the school to accommodate the projected increase in school roll numbers.

Additional classrooms and associated accommodation in a separate building close to the existing building will also be constructed at St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School.

A small extension to the rear of Uddingston Grammar, along with the realignment of existing classroom space, will help create more teaching space.

Council Leader Joe Fagan said: “The projected increase in pupil numbers across South Lanarkshire emphasises that the area is a fantastic place for people to live, work and raise their families.

“Our school estate is among the best in the country, and we should be proud of the modern, innovative learning environments available to our pupils in both secondary and primary education.

“We recognise that the projected increase in pupil numbers means that some of our schools may have faced capacity challenges in the coming years, but the solutions that have been agreed will mean our school estate can expand to accommodate those numbers.

“These changes mean our school estate will continue to provide the learning environment to allow our young people to flourish.”

Ongoing monitoring of forecast pupil numbers across the rest of the secondary school estate will continue on an annual basis.