Happyhansel school handed £900,000 towards essential upgrade work

Happyhansel Primary School in Walls is to receive £900,000 from the Scottish government’s Schools for the Future programme to put towards upgrading the building.

Head of schools service Helen Budge said that while the funding was welcome, work beginning would depend on securing funding from the council. She said: “We’re obviously delighted that the Scottish government has chosen to assist us with funding one of our schools.

“We now have to submit a report [to apply] for matched funding from the SIC, and should that be the case we’d be delighted to begin the refurbishments. They’ve been waiting a long time, it’s been 12 years since they first requested refurbishment and they’d certainly benefit from it.”

Among the work proposed is an extension, replacing the school’s boiler and a new roof, however plans are still at an early stage.

The money comes as part of a £300 million investment from the government for the construction of new schools and the renovation of ageing and neglected schools.

Minister for skills and lifelong learning Keith Brown said: “Scotland’s Schools for the Future represents much needed government investment – over £300m through this first tranche – which will benefit pupils, teachers, families and the local community in Walls, as well as across the length and breadth of Scotland.

“We have already lifted over 110,000 pupils from schools in poor condition, reversing the trend of under-investment and neglect in Scotland’s school estate. Today’s announcement will see a further 18,000 pupils and over 1,300 teachers move to fit-for-purpose, modern learning facilities that meet the needs of education in the 21st century.

“The timescales agreed for the first tranche set out a way ahead that is affordable and realistic for both the Scottish government and the councils, given the current economic climate. Of course, through councils own resources, they may be able to start procurement, design and – in some cases – building prior to government funding coming on stream.”