‘We want to ensure we always get it right’
Head reports to committee
The newest school in West Lothian has been hailed as a jewel in the crown of the local estate just months after opening its doors.
Almost four years after the ground-breaking design of the new West Calder High, the same innovative thinking was used to create Calderwood Primary in the newest community of the county.
Headteacher Sarah Burton gave an update on the move into the new school to a meeting of the Education Quality Assurance Committee.
The non-denominational school serving the Calderwood area, in East Calder, was established in August.
At the start of the academic session, Primary 1 pupils were hosted in East Calder Primary School and Primary 2-6 pupils were hosted in Mid Calder Primary School.
The new £14million building opened to pupils on September 22 with the nursery building opening on October 18.
Mrs Burton described some of the programmes she and her staff had devised to bring pupils,and the community together as they made the move to the new building, when she spoke to committee.
The innovative transition programmes – entitled Into Calderwood and In Calderwood – enabled children and families to take part in a range of activities, including a digital version of Calderwood Hunt the Stag, which encourages social cooperation.
She told the committee the idea had been to create memories for children and families.
The school is now focused on going forward, adding she felt privileged to be in a new creative space with the opportunity to rethink how the curriculum is taught.
“As we go forward as a community we want to ensure we always get it right,” said Mrs Burton.
The design of the new state-of-the art school incorporates elements of the award winning West Calder High School.
The two-storey school is contemporary to suit a range of teaching and learning styles.
Classrooms do not have doors – glazed screens delineate the main classroom, yet the teaching area expands into the open space that extends the length of the building.
Flexible furniture, doubleheight glazing, and use of colour makes this a special, bright and lively space that the pupils and staff can shape to their own needs.
The location of the building on the site was explored in consultation with the community, whose preference was to identify the school within the village square.
Calderwood Primary will provide an anchor landmark for the area, helping bring the new community at Calderwood together.
The Education Quality Assurance Committee heard the school has a roll of 193, with another 85 attending the nursery class.
The full complement of staff includes a head and principal teacher with 12 class teachers and eight nursery nurses.
They are assisted by seven pupil support staff and one early years worker along with clerical staff.
Chair of the committee Councillor Stuart Borrowman thanked Mrs Burton, saying: “You have talent and energy to make a success of it. I’m sure you will.”