Director of Education Jon Reid assured members of Falkirk Council’s executive this week that work has been ongoing with staff at Moray PS to ensure that the new arrangements also benefit their pupils.
While he recognises that there will be a loss of green space, Mr Reid noted that the development would leave Moray pupils with more than 11,000 square metres of outdoor playing space.
“To put that in context, the total outdoor playing space for Carrongrange High School and the new primary stages would be just over 5000 square metres, so there’s double the amount at Moray than there will be at Carrongrange,” he told members.
The new arrangements, he said, will also mean that Moray Primary will get a new outdoor playing surface, 1200 square metres, that will be suitable for activities all year round, in all weathers.
He said the current proposals are for a polymeric surface that can easily accommodate the number of pupils at Moray and that the headteacher is confident it will be suitable for outdoor events including sports day and PE.
There are also proposals to improve drainage that will enhance the outdoor areas at the rear of Moray Primary, while the school’s eco garden will also be retained.
Mr Reid also told members that discussions are ongoing to make landscaping improvements at Moray’s front playground.
The design team is also looking at fencing and security as that has also been a concern raised by many.
Taken together, he said, the measures will “provide a varied, accessible and more consistent outdoor space for Moray Primary pupils” and discussions with the design team will continue as the project progresses.
Mr Reid also reminded councillors that Moray Primary is within a four-minute walk of 18 acres hectares of green space at Zetland Park, which the school currently uses
So Mr Reid says there will be enough space for sports day etc but on the other hand says the school can goto Zetland park, what one is it?
The Designs for the new ASN unit is the problem, if that was better designed Moray would still have a decent size playground and not have to go to a local park to do there School Activities!