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Pupils make a heart shape outside their school

Pupils at Kinnaird primary are set to benefit from investment plans along with other local primary schools

 

Pupils may have put down their iPads, pens and paper for the summer, but work will continue across Falkirk Council's school estate with almost £4m worth of planned improvements set to be undertaken over the holidays and the next year.

As well as enhancing both the fabric of school buildings and the general learning environment, the planned investment, which comes from the council’s capital budget, will also boost the green credentials of several primary schools.

Going green

Approximately £2.8m will be invested in energy efficiency and renewable projects in five primaries:

  • Avonbridge
  • Bowhouse
  • Kinnaird
  • Larbert Village
  • St. Margaret's

This work includes the installation of solar panels, LED lighting, boiler controls, and Air Source Heat pumps. A further £180,000 will be invested to upgrade the boilers at Moray Primary School.

These measures will not only reduce the carbon footprint of each school and help the council realise its net zero aspirations but also lead to long-term cost savings.

External Planned Improvements

Approximately £800,000 has been allocated to improve roofs and the external fabric at seven primary schools:

  • Carron
  • Dunipace
  • Larbert Village
  • St. Mary’s
  • Stenhousemuir
  • Wallacestone
  • Kinnaird

These upgrades include roof replacements, gutter works, and external render improvements.

Other works, totalling £118,000, include upgrading car park drainage at Antonine Primary School, redecorating external woodwork at Denny Primary School, and installing security fencing at Westquarter Primary School.

Internal Improvements

Hallglen Primary School and St. Margarets Primary School will see £100,000 spent on toilet refurbishment. This includes new sanitaryware, flooring, cubicles, lighting, and decoration.

Summertime

The majority of the works are scheduled for the summer holidays to minimise disruption to the school year, ensuring pupils can return to improved facilities without the inconvenience of ongoing construction.

Paul Kettrick, Falkirk Council’s Head of Invest Falkirk, said: "This investment is about more than just repairs and maintenance; it’s about undertaking planned improvements to our Learning Estate to provide children and young people with a safe, modern, and sustainable learning environment. By carrying out these works over the summer months, we can minimise disruption and maximum benefit for our schools and community."