Take the tour: Coltness High's new west wing

Jun 22 2011 by Graham Miller, Wishaw Press

For more pictures of the amazing new-look school, go to our image gallery via this link.

“IT’S a pleasure to come to school” – that’s the unanimous verdict of Coltness High’s pupils and teachers alike, after they recently moved into the establishment’s brand new building.

Phase one of the £25million project – the three-storey west wing – was completed earlier this month and head teacher Donald Fergusson kindly took time out of his busy schedule to give the Wishaw Press a guided tour of the impressive new facility.

And it’s easy to understand why everyone is so happy with the state-of-the-art structure.

Whether it’s the high specification recording studio, fantastic new gym facility with dance and fitness studio, exemplary home economics classes or cutting-edge craft rooms – there’s something available to inspire everyone.

Over 800 pupils attend Coltness High and the existing assembly hall has been reinvented to become part of the heart of the school, along with the adjacent reception, social and dining areas which themselves lie under a dramatic new curving roof. The copper-clad facade of the administration block provides a visual focal point for the entire project.

Another innovative idea is the rooms which will be devoted to teaching construction and beauty therapy. Here it is hoped that college lecturers will visit and assist pupils interested in pursuing more practical endeavours such as bricklaying and hairdressing.

Mr Fergusson enthused: “We are all really delighted with the new building. The feedback I’ve received from pupils and staff has been extremely positive.

“We had a partial two-day closure earlier this month to allow us to move in, with only fourth and fifth-year pupils in attendance.

“I’m pleased to say that every pupil played their part helping with the unpacking and making useful suggestions prior to the younger students returning.”

The new building is striking both inside and out, with obvious attention to detail having been paid across the project – including the choice of colour schemes. Cool pastel shades in the classes to encourage calm and focus attention, with bolder, stimulating colours along corridors and stairwells.

The project also boasts several environmental features including a natural ventilation strategy, significantly increased insulation levels, solar control glazing, ground source heat pumps, bio-mass boilers and rainwater harvesting.

Mr Fergusson continued: “Apart from the wonderful departmental facilities there are many other aspects of the building that enhances the school.

“For example, we now have so much additional storage space. It may sound trivial but in the past lack of storage was a bit of a problem.

“Even the wider corridors make it so much easier for the pupils to get around. The attention to detail is excellent and I have to say that Graham Construction have done a great job.”

Work has now commenced on phase two of the £25million project – refurbishing and remodelling the school’s main building. Despite last winter’s severe weather this is still scheduled to be completed by summer 2012.

The Coltness High development is part of the council’s £250million Schools and Centres 21 programme, which will modernise schools and community centres across the area.

Jim McCabe, council leader, said: “Despite the tough economic climate we’ve maintained our commitment to investing in new school and community facilities for the 21st century curriculum.”

Jim Logue, Convener of Learning and Leisure Services, added: “These investments will benefit pupils, parents and teachers for generations to come, they will go a long way in realising our ambitions to create sports and cultural hubs across North Lanarkshire.”