Members of the Council’s Policy and Resources committee will receive a report at their next meeting on 17 November updating them on the ambition, proposed increased scope and extended remit for the Dumfries Learning Town project.
The project is unique, both in terms of the scale and potential impact across Dumfries and the region. This ground-breaking project will see the creation of integrated schooling across Dumfries from the ages of 3 to 18 and the development of the unique Learning Hub. It will transform the learning experience not only for young people but for those who want to revisit or extend their education and is founded on the belief that the greater involvement of communities in schools will support regeneration.
Phase 1 of the project have been shaped by the extensive engagement with learners, teachers, the public and a wide range of other stakeholders and reflects the scale and aspiration of the local community. The report which will be presented to Councillors at the meeting highlights what Dumfries Learning Town will deliver on the ground:
• A new community campus will be created in North West Dumfries to provide facilities for the learners from Lochside and St Ninians Primary Schools, Maxwelltown High School and Langlands School for children with complex needs including a community library and sports hub;
• A redevelopment of St Joseph’s College;
• A new Learning Hub including provision currently provided at Elmbank;
• A Central Campus to provide facilities for learners from Loreburn Primary School and Dumfries Academy;
• A campus in North East Dumfries to provide facilities for learners from Noblehill Primary School and Dumfries High School and
• A new build Laurieknowe Primary School.
In response to community engagement the report proposes that the scope of the first phase be increased to include a number of changes:
St Joseph’s College
Progress the preferred design option for St Joseph’s College that came from consultation as well as decanting students using rented modular buildings onsite rather than moving them to other buildings in town. Construction on St Joseph’s College is due to start in June 2016 with completion in January 2018.
North West Campus
Bring forward a replacement for Langlands school and additional special needs provision to the first phase of the project, increase the floor spacing to provide a larger learning centre at the proposed North West campus and provide for an international Rugby Board compliant synthetic rugby pitch at the campus. The opportunity will also be taken to deal with historical remediation work on the proposed site. Construction on the North West Campus is due to start in June 2016 with completion in March 2018.
The Hub
Replace the plan to move the Elmbank Centre into the proposed new Hub and instead delivery the service within the existing secondary schools, resulting in a capital saving. Construction is due to start in June 2016 with completion in March 2018.
Council Leader and Chair of the Policy and Resources committee, Ronnie Nicholson, said “The Dumfries Learning Town project is now entering a new and exciting phase. We have emerging designs for the new and refurbished schools and are working towards work starting on the ground next year. It is clear from the widespread engagement that local people are ambitious about the project not only to benefit current learners but for generations to come. Following consultation, there is a clear view that we should bring forward aspects from phase two to phase one such as the new Langlands. The sheer scale of what we now want to achieve requires more investment but it is still modest given that in phase one alone we are replacing three schools and transforming another. In the long term, the number of school sites will be reduced as primary schools move onto shared campuses. This will provide significant savings. More importantly we will see schools fit for the 21st century in Dumfries and beyond. We’ve seen new schools appear across our region over the last 20 years, but the secondary schools in Dumfries haven’t enjoyed the same level of funding. The Dumfries Learning Town plans will re-dress that and deliver significant investment.“
Chair of the Education committee, Cllr Jeff Leaver, said “It is a priority of our Council to provide the best start in life for all our young people. The Dumfries Learning Town project is proving to be the catalyst to changes in thinking and in practice that will transform the learning experience not only for young people but also for those who may want to revisit and extend their education. We have listened to feedback and have amended the original plans, bringing forward aspects from Phase 2 into Phase 1. Our plans are ambitious but we are totally committed to investing in Dumfries Learning Town project, demonstrating the high value placed on learning of all kinds. It is widely recognised that we have an opportunity to change lives, take a new direction and create stronger, more inspiring prospects for learners of all ages.
