WEST Lothian Council has approved plans for the build of a new £14.7 million school in Livingston.
To be located at council-owned land off Grange Road, east of Xcite Craigswood Leisure Centre, the new Beatlie school will provide specialist education for pupils aged three to 18 with severe and complex support and profound medical needs.
The local authority said that the purpose-built facility will be a centre of excellence for children and young people, providing ‘cutting-edge’ educational facilities alongside partner health and wrap around support for children and families.
Along with the core education facilities for nursery, primary and secondary pupils, plans also include a hydrotherapy pool, two general purpose rooms, a life skills area, multi-purpose hall and sensory garden.
The most up-to-date assistive technology products will also be utilised, to help facilitate greater independence for wheelchair users to explore their surroundings by increasing, maintaining or improving their functional capabilities.
The school will also have enhanced energy reduction measures and provide parent support facilities – including accommodation for partner agencies and support services including the NHS child development centre (CDC), which currently support pupils throughout West Lothian. NHS Lothian are contributing around £1.5 million to cover the cost of the build of the CDC.
West Lothian Council’s executive councillor for education, David Dodds, said, “It’s fantastic to see work progressing on a superb new campus for Beatlie, that will fully meet the needs of pupils. The new location at Craigswood looks ideal, as it allows the school to remain in Craigshill and build on their existing positive relationships with the local community.
“West Lothian already has one of the best school estates in Scotland, and we are investing over £29 million in schools for pupils with additional support needs such as Ogilvie, Cedarbank, Pinewood as well as Beatlie. This will ensure all our young people have the best facilities for learning we can provide for them, to help them achieve their full potential in the future.”
