Carrongrange campus extension proposal set to go before councillors
Proposals to extend the Carrongrange campus are set to go before councillors for approval.
The extension would add an Additional Supports Needs (ASN) campus for pupils aged five to 18 years old.
The £30 million single specialist campus is due to be considered by members of Falkirk Council’s executive on Thursday, September 17.
The proposal would merge the existing ASN provision which is currently delivered through Kinnaird Primary School’s Thistle Wing and Thistle Wing Annex, and Maddiston Primary School’s Timezone into one all-through setting.
The report going before councillors puts forward a recommendation that education services communicate with Moray Primary School throughout the design and development segments of the project and investigate ways to avoid impact on outdoor learning space.
The recommendations come to the committee following a statutory consultation with families, pupils, staff, and the wider community, which ran from 27 April to 12 June this year.
The consultation included an online survey, public and online meetings, and four focus groups. Six written submissions were also received.
Out of the responses, a strong recognition of the need for high-quality targeted educational support for children and young people with additional support needs emerged. Enhanced learning environments, improved continuity of learning, and the chance to bring primary and secondary provision together within a single campus were some of the potential benefits which respondents noted.
Potential issues, including the effect on Moray’s outdoor learning space, traffic and transport plans, and construction activity, were also raised.
After considering the feedback, education services found the proposal is the most appropriate and sustainable way of meeting current and future needs for specialist ASN provision.
Jon Reid, director of education, said: “We have carefully considered the feedback alongside the findings of HM Inspectors of Education.
“The report identifies a range of potential educational benefits associated with creating an all-through specialist campus, including improved continuity of learning, enhanced specialist facilities and support, and increased capacity to meet the needs of children and young people with severe, profound and complex additional support needs.”
If councillors agree to the recommendations outlined in the proposal, the existing primary ASN provision would be expected to move to the new campus from January 2029.