Q & A

Why is the Council not rebuilding the three schools, language unit and early learning and childcare centre on the existing sites? The current proposal borrows money to create a better and more efficient educational campus. Retaining or rebuilding each school on its current site would not save any money and therefore the borrowing costs would be extremely high.

How will traffic to the site be managed? Cars and pedestrians would access the new campus from Place of Bonhill adjacent to the current access to St Martin’s Primary. A car park and drop off point would be created at the site. A further pedestrian access will be created from Millburn Park with a car park developed at this site. A full independent traffic impact assessment would be completed if the proposal is approved. Any child who lives 1.5 miles or more from the campus would be entitled to free school transport.

What would happen if this proposal did not go ahead? The Council has set aside £2.75m for primary schools’ refurbishment in 2016/17, although this sum is likely to be spread over a number of primary schools.

Will the catchment areas change for the new campus? No the catchment areas will remain the same. To the parents of St Martin’s Primary School Let us know your views We want you to have your say on the proposals and let us know how you feel. You can take part in the consultation by completing a questionnaire online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ Consultation on StMarys-StMartins-Renton-Riverside-Consultation new school building proposals Alternatively, you can send your comments to: We’re seeking your views on our proposals to Educational Services, Consultation West Council, closes move your school into a new state-of-the-art Friday, Garshake Road, 30 October education campus in Alexandria. , G82 3PU.

Full copies of the Consultation Proposal Paper can be accessed on the Council Website and are also available at the Council's Office at Garshake and at each of the affected schools. The Proposal Paper is available in alternative forms and can also be requested from the address above. Our proposals Why has Alexandria been selected for this opportunity?

West Dunbartonshire Council is proposing to improve educational This proposal would be the next phase in the Council’s extensive schools facilities in Alexandria by constructing a £17.5m campus to replace regeneration programme which is replacing school buildings which are three ageing primary school buildings. no longer suitable for modern education with purpose built facilities. The programme has already delivered a number of new schools with The proposals are to: others underway in Bellsmyre and Balloch.

= construct a new Renton Primary School together with a The new buildings are designed and constructed especially for modern new Renton Language Unit; day learning, creating accessible, inclusive learning environments that = construct a new Riverside Early Learning and Childcare Centre; inspire and drive new thinking, help raise attainment and support the = construct a new St Mary’s Primary School, incorporating delivery of high quality educational experiences through Curriculum for St Martin’s Primary School, which would close; Excellence. = construct a modern outdoor learning environment for the campus incorporating play areas, and a multi-use games pitch Both St Martin’s and Renton primaries are in a very poor condition and while St Mary’s is in a slightly better state of repair the building is over The development would be VALEVALE OF LEVEN 80 years old, with hutted dining accommodation, and is not adaptable constructed on an area currently ACADEMYACADEMMY for modern learning. occupied by a football pitch at the front of Academy as The Council is proposing to borrow £17.5million under a spend-to-save

well as the grounds of St Martin’s strategy in order to regenerate the schools’ estate in Alexandria by 7

Primary School. New car parking 7 combining five educational establishments on one site. The proposals

5 5

8 8 B and drop off points would be B would save £200,000 a year and make better use of the education created at the campus which budget by investing in one well-resourced campus as opposed to ENTRANCEENTRANCE would be accessed from Place TOTO spreading funding thinly across a larger number of partially empty VVALEALE OF of Bonhill adjacent to the existing LEVEN buildings. entrance to St Martin’s. ACADEMYACADEMY The campus design will protect the identities of the denominational and Pedestrian access for parents non-denominational schools and create a first-class learning environment and young people travelling to internally and externally with increased opportunities for curricular and the new campus from Alexandria extra-curricular activities, enhanced resources and access to broader BLUEBLUE BUILDINGBUILDING - would be improved with the EXISTINGEXISTING LOCLLOCATIONAATIONTION expertise resulting in increased opportunity for staff to share practice and ENTRANCEENTRANCE existing pathway leading from LGHJGHGK=