The Scottish Government has said almost £70m in funding for four new high schools has allowed 4,680 more pupils the highest quality school accommodation from 2013/14.

Schools in East Renfrewshire, Fife, Midlothian and West Dunbartonshire are the first high schools funded through the Scotland's Schools for the Future Programme to be opened.

Details of the schools are as follows:

• Eastwood High School (East Renfrewshire) – 1,220 pupils



• Auchmuty High School (Fife) – 1,300 pupils



• Lasswade High School Centre (Midlothian) – 1,480 pupils



• Dumbarton Academy (West Dunbartonshire) – 680 pupils.

Minister for Youth Employment Angela Constance said: "This is an exciting time for the thousands of pupils that will start the new school year in brand new classrooms, with brand new facilities at their fingertips. Alongside local authorities, we have invested £1.25 billion in Scotland's Schools for the Future, with a number of primary schools already up and running. This is the first batch of high schools to open their doors, thanks to almost £70 million investment from the Scottish Government.


"Particular thanks are due to East Renfrewshire and Midlothian Councils, who worked together to jointly procure Lasswade and Eastwood, resulting in savings of around £4 million. I am also delighted to see that facilities at all four schools are available for outside use, placing the new buildings right at the heart of community activity.

"By the time the Programme finishes, local and Scottish Government will have built 67 new schools, lifting over 46,000 pupils into top quality accommodation, and demonstrating our commitment to ensuring pupils have the best possible learning environment."

Barry White, Chief Executive of the Scottish Futures Trust, added: "By efficiently managing the £1.25bn Scotland's Schools for the Future programme and recycling efficiency savings, Scottish Futures Trust has increased the total number of schools to be built within the programme from 55 to 67.

"The opening of the first four secondary schools within the Scotland-wide programme means that over 4,500 pupils will have a fantastic start to their new term and benefit from being taught in a bright and inspiring environment fit for the 21st century."

(JP/CD)