Official Opening of West End Schools

This morning I was delighted to attend the official opening of the new schools and nursery in the West End, Balgay Hill Nursery, St Joseph's Primary and Victoria Park Primary.  As the local Councillor, a local resident and indeed a parent of a child at one of the schools I am delighted to see the schools officially open. This investment is a legacy of the Labour-led Administration. I know that the young people have settled well in to their new schools. Staff and pupils are enjoying the improved facilities. I wish Balgay Hill Nursery, St Joseph's Primary and Victoria Park Primary all the very best of luck as they continue to enjoy new facilities. This investment in the West End is to be welcomed and I will be campaigning to ensure that investment in education in the city is maintained.

It was great to see so many local people at the event, it was a shame that not every parent could be invited.  There were great performances from pupils at all three schools, it was a great day and well done to everyone who was involved in the organisation.

Labour Education spokesperson, my colleague Councillor Laurie Bidwell, also attended the event and his views are below:

"The opening of the the new West End schools today is a red letter day in the West End as we celebrate the opening two new schools and a nursery on a shared campus on their Blackness Road site. I am sure that parents and carers, teachers and pupils will all appreciate the outstanding facilities that this new campus provides in the heart of their community. Having been involved in commissioning of these new schools as part of Labour's 2008/2012 Capital Plan and taken part in the consultation meetings, it is good to return to see at first hand how our architects have imaginatively used the space on the site to create 21st century facilities for the pupils in each of these schools. I know our teachers will be do their best to exploit the enhanced possibilities for teaching and learning in their fine new schools. I shall continue to advocate not making short terms cuts in the Education staffing budget that causes long term damage to schooling of our children."