Primary school building too small

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A construction firm has been ordered to return to work on a new primary school in North Lanarkshire because the building has proved to be too small.

St Ignatius and Wishaw Academy opened two months ago and was hailed as a state-of-the art facility.

However, problems with "teaching space" emerged when pupils moved in.

Building firm Transform Schools said it regretted the situation and was carrying out the necessary work "at no extra cost to the council".

The school is one of the first in the area where Catholic and non-denominational pupils share a joint campus.

The £7.6m facility was built under a deal with Public Private Partnership company Transform Schools, as part of the council's school building programme.

It is ridiculous that they have spent so much money on this brand new school, only to find out it is too small Tracy Nelson, parent of pupil

Parents received letters last week informing them that construction workers would be back on site to address issues with classroom space.

Murdo Maciver, head of education resources at the council, said: "We identified that additional works were required to complete the school building to meet our full specification.

"This shortfall was discovered on full inspection of the building before pupils and staff moved in.

"As the shortfall did not affect the pupil intakes for either school, we were keen to get pupils into the schools so they could benefit from the great new facilities on offer."

Mr Maciver said the payment to Transform Schools would be reduced until the additional work was carried out.

Health and safety

Parents said they were concerned about more building work taking place on the new school site.

William Kyle, who has two children at the school, told the BBC Scotland news website: "We did get a letter about this but there was not much detail.

"There is something far wrong if they are only discovering these problems now."

Another parent, Tracy Nelson, said: "I only found out about this when I read about it in the local paper.

"I think it is ridiculous that they have spent so much money on this brand new school, only to find out it is too small."

Helen Wills, Transform Schools operations director, said: "We regret there will be some disruption to the schools, but the health and safety of the school staff and pupils will continue to be the prime consideration.

"Once these works are completed - at no cost to the council - Transform and North Lanarkshire Council can provide more pupils than ever before with a school fit for the 21st Century."