There was a buzz of excitement among pupils and staff alike at last week’s opening of the impressive new Calderbridge Primary School in Wishaw.

Built on the site of the former Coltness Primary, the futuristic facility also includes a nursery and community centre – ensuring its place as a focal point for the surrounding areas. Around 340 children will attend the school, created following the amalgamation of Coltness and Lammermoor Primaries.

Head teacher Pauleen Clarke enthused: "We are all absolutely delighted with our wonderful new school. The look of amazement on the children’s faces as they entered the building for the first time was something none of us will forget.

"I’d like to say a big thank you to all of the staff who worked so hard, unpacking and preparing the class bases in the days prior to the children starting and to the contractor, Graham Construction, for doing such a fantastic job."


The contemporary complex cost £10million and looking around it’s easy to understand where the money went. From outside the imposing two-storey, steel-framed structure exudes quality. In the grounds there’s a new seven-a-side synthetic pitch that will be used by the school’s budding soccer stars and also available to members of the community.

Step inside the school and you immediately discover why the pupils will be inspired. Innovative open-plan teaching areas are complemented by state-of-the-art movable interactive teaching walls. These allow the interior of the school to be reconfigured as and when needed, dependent on class size.

The building contains a host of novel green technologies. Features such as rain water harvesting – which means all the school’s water is recycled – and air-source heat pump renewable technology has led to the school achieving an environmental award.

Work began in late 2010 and Graham Construction completed the job in 74 weeks – despite severe winter weather conditions – allowing pupils to move into the school for the final term of the session.

The project also created new jobs, with up to 100 people working on the site during the peak construction period.

Gary Holmes, contracts director at Graham Construction, said: "The new Calderbridge school building and community centre will provide the very best facilities for the Coltness community and it has been tremendously rewarding to deliver such an important and much-needed resource. We have worked in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council to deliver a number of schools, including the new high school at Coltness."

The school project is part of North Lanarkshire Council's £250m Schools and Centres 21 programme.

(GK)