A £23m funding bid has been approved this week Monday 20 October by the Scottish Government as part of Phase 3 of their ambitious Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP).

The project aims to expand the existing high school capacity and provide a new campus for primary-aged pupils who have additional support needs.

The campus will allow an expansion of the range of support available for the growing number of pupils with severe and complex learning needs from across the Falkirk Council area.

When completed, the school will provide 20 primary classes as well as 10 secondary classes.

It will ensure that pupils with additional support needs can receive support at one dedicated location with new high-specification classrooms. 

Also, pupils will no longer have to be taken outside the area to attend classes.

The bid was submitted to the LEIP, a joint initiative between the Scottish Government and Local Government, aimed at transforming and improving learning environments across Scottish schools. 

The project will be funded by both Falkirk Council and the Scottish Government, with the exact project timeframes still being agreed. 

Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, Leader of Falkirk Council said: “This award will allow us to offer an even better education and learning experience for pupils aged 5-18 who have complex and severe learning needs. 

“We have recognised that there are many advantages to locating this kind of support at one location making it easier for parents and carers to access the specialist support on offer without having to travel to various locations both in Falkirk and beyond. 

“Pupils will benefit by being in a single campus throughout their educational journey.

“This development is a re-enforcing of the Council's dedication to promoting opportunities and educational attainment as well as reducing inequalities priorities.” 

Councillor Iain Sinclair, spokesperson for Education added: “The new campus will offer the best in learning opportunities and a very welcoming environment for pupils. 

“It will mean we will have a fully integrated Primary through to High School campus that is dedicated to enabling and supporting the amazing work that teachers and school staff already carry out at Carrongrange to develop and nurture our pupils with additional support needs.”