Community gathers to celebrate official opening of new £10.6m Bellsmyre Education Campus 

Two new primary schools and an early learning centre have been officially opened in Bellsmyre.

The new Bellsmyre Education Campus incorporates Aitkenbar Primary School co-located with St Peter’s Primary and the new Bellsmyre Early Learning and Childcare Centre (ELCC) which was formed from the amalgamation of the former Andrew B Cameron and St Peter’s centres.

The building was opened to pupils in August and on Tuesday, 8 November, a ceremony was held to officially launch the new campus which was developed following a £10.6million investment by West Dunbartonshire Council.

Councillor Michelle McGinty, Convener of Educational Services, performed the official opening at an event attended by families of pupils and representatives from the community.

Guests enjoyed a performance from the schools’ senior  choir and also viewed a video specially created for the occasion.The development has moved over 400 pupils from ageing buildings in Bellsmyre into state of the art schools purpose built for today’s learning.

The campus includes new flexible learning spaces created in place of traditional classrooms to enhance pupils’ education experience supported by new ICT. In addition new outdoor areas were created allowing pupils to learn outside, as well as a new 3G pitch and play grounds.

The project was delivered by hub West Scotland, West Dunbartonshire’s Development Partner, appointed to manage the design and delivery of the new building through its supply chain. hub West Scotland appointed the design team, including Architects Holmes Miller and Morgan Sindall as the main contractor for the project.

“We want to ensure all of our children have the best start in life and that’s why as a Council we have made education a priority. Our school regeneration programme has moved over 7,000 young people from buildings which are no longer fit for purpose into schools which meet all the demands of modern day learning. The facilities at Bellsmyre are excellent and the feedback from pupils and staff, who are already enjoying the benefits, has been fantastic.  

Councillor McGinty, West Dunbartonshire Council

“This is West Dunbartonshire’s first co-located campus, and the pupils, staff, parents and wider community really have been a shining example to West Dunbartonshire of how well this can work. Everyone here should feel extremely proud. The two schools have formed close working relationships and friendships and I’m sure this will continue to strengthen in the years ahead.  Both schools and the early learning and childcare centre are thriving and credit for that must go to the dedicated staff teams at all three establishments.”

Councilor Mooney, West Dunbartonshire Council

“Both the staff and pupils are really proud of our new school and feel extremely lucky to be teaching and learning here. The pupils have settled in really well and the new facilities are opening up new opportunities to learn and collaborate. We welcomed the Archbishop to bless the school earlier this month and now really feel at home here.”

Louise Kelly, Acting Head teacher of St Peter’s Primary School

“Today is another proud moment for the school.  We were fortunate to have shared a building with St Peter’s Primary while the new schools were being built and I think that has really helped the transition to our beautiful new school. The pupils have taken it all in their stride and love the new facilities, particularly the outdoor space, and we’re all enjoying the having the early learning centre here.“

Christine Hutchison, Head Teacher of Aitkenbar Primary School 

“The children and staff love the new centre and it’s opening up new opportunities for learning and also collaboration. One of the biggest benefits is going to be in the transition to primary school for our pupils because they will already be familiar with the buildings and the staff.”

Fiona Ferguson, Head of Centre at Bellsmure ELCC