Designs of new Linkwood Primary school released as pupils visit site.

First designs of the proposed new primary school at Linkwood have been released by architects.

The first pupils for the new school are currently housed in the annexe of East End Primary school, but yesterday they visited the greenfield site that will be their new home.

Work on the £12million building is due to start early next year, with a scheduled completion by the following summer. By the time pupils from the Linkwood school finish their primary education at one brand new school they will complete their secondary education at the new Elgin High, which is scheduled to be completed in August 2017.

Linkwood Primary’s Head Teacher, Mary Smith, said the new intakes will be able to take advantage of the latest facilities and school technology in a modern environment all the way through their school career.

“We’re doing fine in the annexe building at this stage, but when the new school is ready it’s going to be a fabulous opportunity for our young people,” she said.

“They were very keen to see where the new school will be, so now the design has been agreed we will all be able to visualise how it will look on site.”

The school’s badge has already been designed reflecting the local area and a new Linkwood Primary uniform is being created.

In addition to the graphic representations of the school, Edinburgh-based architects JM Architecture have produced a 3D printout of the building. This and the illustrations will be on display at a parent’s open morning at Linkwood Primary on Thursday 8^th this week and also at a parent information evening at the school on Thursday January 12^th.

The proposal to establish a new primary school was the subject of wide-ranging consultation earlier this year when 91% of those who responded were in favour.

Chair of Moray Council’s Children and Young People’s committee, Cllr Anne Skene, said the project will see the south of Elgin served by two new schools.

“Children attending this new school will be learning in a modern environment with the latest technology,” she said.

“Once enrolled they will automatically transfer to a similar environment at the Elgin High School at the completion of their primary education.

Their experience of school will be the very best available, and I’m delighted this council will have delivered that.”

Education Scotland also supported the concept of a new primary, which it said would help the council to achieve best value by addressing capacity issues across the school estate in Elgin and provide a number of potential educational benefits for children.

Note: images, including school designs, available for download under 'related material' section.

Names are (Left to right)

Back row:Mandy Milton, Class teacher; Innes McPherson, Parent Council Chair;Mary Smith, Head Teacher; Paul Kendrick, Project Manager; Angela Murray, Classroom Assistant

Children: Cooper McPherson; Neve Kelly; Connor Mackay; James Kennedy ; Indie Kelly;Max Kwolik;Danni MacGillivray; Amelie Capper;