'First class!' Councillor hails opening of new primary school in Earlston

It's six months later than planned, and more than £4 million over the original budget, but primary pupils in Earlston enjoyed their first day of lessons in their new school on Monday.

The £16.6 million community campus - built on the former high school site - includes a library and café, which will be open to the public.

But plans to incorporate the local health centre were dropped due to concerns over cost.

Local councillor David Parker attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, and hailed the development "first class".

He told Greatest Hits Radio: "It's bound to make a big difference to the young people's well-being; it's a great environmental setting; and certainly I think it will genuinely boost attainment.

"And, when the wider Earlston community see the new school, I think they'll be very impressed with what has been achieved."

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Staff and pupils held their final assembly in the old school hall on Friday, ahead of the move.

Demolition of the old school is due to get underway today (Wednesday), and will pave the way for a new destination play park - with construction due to begin in the summer.

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Councillor Parker said: "This week's low-key opening will be followed by a much bigger and wider community celebration towards the end of March.

"But the pupils were piped in to the new school from the old school (on Monday) and it was incredible to be there to see their reaction.

"It's a first class new education facility; it has great nursery provision and some excellent provision in relation to IT (information technology); and a whole range of new facilities which the school will enjoy."

He added: "Work continues on site now to demolish the old school, and to carry out landscaping works, and other things that have to happen. And then we start, as a council, building the destination playpark for Earlston - so it's a big year for the community, with lots of investment happening."

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