Atkins was commissioned by Carillion Building Scotland to provide a full mulidisciplinary design service as part of Phase 1 of the Primary School Modernisation Programme, a scheme approved by South Lanarkshire Council’s Executive Committee in February 2004. The scheme will ultimately generate 24 brand-new schools, providing vital improvements in school facilities across the area.

Where possible the classrooms have been designed using a natural ventilation strategy which involved working closely with the mechanical engineers. The engineers created thermal models to ensure there design was effective before being implemented.

In addition to pupil play and outdoor physical education there are many aspects of the school curriculum that require outdoor provision such as the Special Needs Classrooms. Facilities were designed to support creative play and exploration in the young age ranges in particular. School grounds aimed to be stimulating, educational and fun. The school playground offered a variety of hard and soft areas to assist the formal curriculum and the informal and social activities of pupils during breaks.

Great care has been taken to ensure the buildings are fully accessible to all users, including disabled persons, who will be able to gain access to and within the building without assistance. The provisions contained within the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 have played a vital role in the building design.