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Lanarkshire Council to Expand Primary Schools Amid Population Growth

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2026/02/0 .. pand-primary-schools-amid-population-growth.html
  Published in House and Home on Wednesday, February 4th 2026 at 2:31 GMT by Daily Record
      Locales: Scotland, UNITED KINGDOM

Lanarkshire, Scotland - February 4th, 2026 - South Lanarkshire Council is taking proactive steps to address a burgeoning population by proposing an expansion of primary school capacity. Plans unveiled this week outline the addition of 43 new places across four primary schools, aiming to alleviate potential overcrowding and ensure continued access to local education for all children in the region.

The initiative, detailed in a report slated for review by the Education Committee, comes as the council anticipates sustained growth in school rolls over the coming years. This growth is attributed to a combination of factors, including increased birth rates, inward migration, and ongoing housing developments within the Lanarkshire area. The council is keen to avoid a repeat of capacity issues experienced in other Scottish regions, where growing populations have strained existing school infrastructure.

"We're seeing a positive trend of people choosing to live and raise families in South Lanarkshire," explains Councillor Eileen Brown, Convener of the Education Committee. "While this is fantastic news for the local economy and community spirit, it does present challenges in terms of providing adequate educational resources. This investment is a crucial step in ensuring that we meet those challenges head-on."

The proposed expansion will focus on four key schools, each experiencing varying degrees of increased demand:

• St John's Primary, Colston: The largest increase, with 15 new places being added. This suggests a significant rise in the local population served by this school, potentially linked to new housing developments in the Colston area.
• Clarkson Primary, East Kilbride: Ten additional places will be created at Clarkson Primary, signalling consistent growth in this established East Kilbride community.
• Bankhead Primary, East Kilbride: Like St John's, Bankhead Primary will gain 15 new places, indicating a substantial need for expanded facilities.
• Braehead Primary, East Kilbride: A smaller, but still vital, increase of three new places will bolster capacity at Braehead Primary.

The expansion won't necessarily involve large-scale building projects in all cases. The council is exploring a flexible approach, potentially utilizing a mix of new classroom construction, refurbishment of existing spaces, and alterations to internal arrangements. This pragmatic approach allows for quicker implementation and minimizes disruption to ongoing school activities. Sources within the council suggest prefabricated classroom modules are being considered as a fast-track solution for some of the expansion.

The council emphasizes that public input is integral to the success of the project. A formal consultation process is currently underway, inviting parents, residents, and other stakeholders to share their thoughts and concerns regarding the proposed changes. The initial consultation period closed on November 19th, 2024, however the council are keen to revisit the feedback and incorporate any further insights before final decisions are made. A series of public forums were held throughout November 2024, and the council has been actively monitoring social media channels and email correspondence to gather a comprehensive understanding of local perspectives.

"We genuinely value the opinions of those most affected by these changes," states a council spokesperson. "Parents know their children and their communities best, and their feedback will play a crucial role in shaping the final plans. We want to ensure that any expansion is not only effective in terms of increasing capacity but also enhances the overall learning environment for our pupils."

Beyond the immediate need to create 43 new places, the council is also undertaking a broader review of school infrastructure across South Lanarkshire. This long-term strategy aims to anticipate future population trends and proactively address potential capacity issues before they arise. The review will encompass an assessment of school building conditions, energy efficiency, and the suitability of facilities for modern teaching methods. The council is actively exploring opportunities to integrate sustainable building practices into any future school developments, aligning with Scotland's ambitious climate change targets.

The investment in primary school capacity comes at a time of increasing scrutiny of local authority budgets. However, the council argues that prioritizing education is essential for the long-term prosperity of the region. The expansion is expected to cost approximately GBP3.2 million, funded through a combination of council resources and potential grants from the Scottish Government.