Cardenden Primary pupils move into new 'green' school building

Published 24 Aug 2010 14:38 0 Comments

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WHILE children across Fife headed back to school last week after six weeks holiday, Cardenden children were returning to school after nearly two years.

The new Cardenden school building reopened on Thursday, 19th August, following a complete rebuild and refurbishment of the school building. The children have been sharing a school with Denend Primary School for the last two years.

Cardenden school was closed in October 2008 due to structural concerns in part of the building. Following extensive structural investigation the education and children's services committee decided in April the following year that the existing two-storey block, which was the part of the building causing concerns, should be demolished and the existing single-storey block extended and refurbished.

Now the building is complete and Councillor Douglas Chapman has officially given the keys to headteacher Jackie Funnell. Councillor Chapman said, "While the keys were handed over to Mrs Funnell today, I would love to see the reaction of the children when they start in their new school on Thursday morning. It's looking fabulous.

"On behalf of the council I would like to thank everyone who has been involved since we first realised that the old building had a serious structural problem right through to today when the keys are being handed over.

"It has been a real team effort. In particular, the staff and pupils at Denend Primary who accommodated Cardenden pupils while their school was being rebuilt, to the staff at the Corrie Centre and at the Bowhill Centre and to all the Fife Council staff who delivered this project to a high standard and right on time.

"There has been a great deal of interest in the new school from the community and next Wednesday the school will be hosting an open day from 3pm to 8pm where parents and the wider community can see for themselves how their council has delivered a school Cardenden can be proud of."

The new school has a number of "green" features, such as the rainwater harvesting system which will be used for the toilets and the new building is particularly energy efficient thanks to the high level of insulation provided throughout the school and the underfloor heating system.

One of the design features of the new school is the timber frame structure which is visible within the classrooms. It isn't only decorative, however, it can also be used to an educational advantage as the children are able to see how their new building is constructed.

Jackie Funnell, headteacher, said, "I am absolutely delighted to be back in our own school and I'm sure the children will be thrilled when they get here on Thursday.

"This has been an amazing joint effort between Fife Council Education Service, Building Services, Property Services and the local community who have been so supportive throughout.

"The actual building work only began in January of this year and it is incredible that we will be starting the new school year in our new school, on time and to schedule. It really is down to the hard work and commitment of all involved.

"I'm very proud of the way all our children here and at Denend, and the wider school communities pulled together to make the best of the situation.

"The children have kept working hard and achieving and continued to make the school a success. I'm so pleased that they will now be able to continue to do this in a fabulous new building."

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