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Case Studies Building Our Future: Scotland's School Estate
SECTION 2 CASE STUDIES
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS BASE
St John's High School was designated a barrier free school. It has a large pupil population of children with additional support needs, so there was a demand for a specialist base incorporating facilities such as specialist toilets. A new extension and refurbishment of an area of the technical block was identified as the best way of providing this facility.
Outcome
An area of the technical block was extended and refurbished to provide a new facility. The works were completed on time and within budget, with managed disruption to the running of the school, but no disruption to the delivery of the curriculum. There were also no health and safety impacts during this major construction process.
Lessons
Due to funding constraints and the extent and scope of the work, work was carried out mainly during term time. With a positive contribution from the contractor during the design process, the partnering contract allowed this project to proceed earlier than would normally have been possible. The Head Teacher, additional support needs staff and pupils had full access to the contractor through the consultation process, which proved helpful. 
Contact
Derek Currie
Dundee City Council
City Chambers
21 City Square
DUNDEE
DD1 3BY
Telephone: 01382 433754
Email: Derek.currie@dundeecity.gov.uk
ARNGASK PRIMARY SCHOOL
Perth and Kinross Council designed an early years unit for children aged from 3-6 years. Staff in the nursery and infant classes work collaboratively. The nursery class is available for community groups to use for other childcare activities when not in use for pre-school education provision.
Outcome
The nursery and primary one classes have their own classrooms but share activity space, toilet, cloakroom and the parents/community room.
Lessons
Facilities on site provide a first-class learning environment to develop core skills. The learning experience is extended by the use of the external learning area for pupils. 
Contact
Alan Taylor
Lead Officer
Finance Resource Services
Perth and Kinross Council
Pullar House
35 Kinnoull Street
PERTH
PH1 5GE
Telephone: 01738 476225
Email: amtaylor@pkc.gov.uk
BALFRON PRIMARY SCHOOL
This is a newly completed (September 2003) extension to the existing primary school to address the increasing roll of the school, due to house building within the catchment area.
Outcome
An extension comprising 3 primary class rooms and one nursery class has given the school increased capacity and allowed the nursery class and one primary class, previously housed in separate mobile units, to be accommodated together within the single secure school building.
The nursery class capacity has been increased from 20 in the morning and 20 in the afternoon to 30 in the morning and 30 in the afternoon. This, coupled with the proposed provision of out of school care within the high school, means that Balfron campus will be better placed to provide for the whole needs of the child.
The extension has enhanced the learning and teaching environment by providing larger classrooms and a spacious flexible multi-purpose teaching space. The overall environment has been improved with a new main entrance facing the high school, which enhances both appearance and security and builds on the campus arrangement, as well as enlarged external play spaces for both primary and nursery children.
Lessons
Two additional primary classrooms have been provided, one to meet a recognised short-term need and the other to address a predicted medium term need. By building these together there have been significant cost benefits, as well as eliminating the need for future disruption to the staff and pupils. 
Contact
Joyce Wighton
Planning and Resources Manager
Children's Services
Stirling Council
Viewforth
STIRLING
FK8 2ET
Telephone: 01786 443418
Email: wightonj@stirling.gov.uk
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