Children and staff at Aberfoyle Primary School have spoken of their joy after their historic school building reopened on Monday following an estimated £1.3 million refurbishment.
The major investment saw the remodelling and renovation of the 151-year-old building and a vacant adjoining school house to provide additional learning space.
All four classrooms are now located in the main school building and have been transformed into modern, bright and fully equipped learning spaces.
Since February last year, children and staff had been hosted at McLaren High School in Callander for face-to-face learning.
After a busy but productive first week, headteacher Maxine Barwick said: “It has been amazing to have all the children back in the school, working away and learning together.
“The building is bright and modern, but still feels like the primary school we all know and love so I’m delighted to get the first week under our belts and see all the children happy to be back home.
“Obviously there are still Covid restrictions in place so we’re looking forward to having the building fully reopened to families and the community as soon as possible and we’ll do our best to have a proper welcome back for the people of Aberfoyle.”
Stirling Council worked with a conservation architect and the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Planning Authority to develop a sympathetic restoration and refurbishment of the structure, which dates back to 1870.
The main works at the school, which has a capacity of 100, were due to start in spring 2020 but were delayed until last summer due to the first Covid-19 lockdown.
Entering the school at the repurposed school house, there is now a welcoming new entrance, along with offices, meeting spaces, staff accommodation and other ancillary spaces, before heading into the main school building.
The new main entrance is also now fully accessible and inclusive for all users, while significant building fabric improvements will also cut the carbon footprint of the building with full replacement of the slate roof, upgraded insulation and new efficient heating emitters and controls.
Children and young people convener Councillor Susan McGill said: “The reopening is fantastic news for the pupils and staff at the school.
“While the character of the building has been carefully preserved, the school has been transformed into a modern and fulfilling learning environment which will help children achieve their potential.
“I can’t wait to see the refurbished school at first hand, and I’m sure everyone at the school is looking forward to settling back into their new and improved surroundings during the rest of the summer
term.
“We know it’s been a disruptive period for families and staff as the works were carried out, and I’d like to thank them for their patience and understanding.”
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Vice convener Councillor Christine Simpson added: “The extensive refurbishment has been completed to the highest possible standard and the new state-of-the-art learning spaces will provide significant educational benefits to children and support staff in the delivery of the curriculum.
“The completion of this ambitious project will give a new lease of life to this building which was starting to show its age, ensuring it is fit for 21st century learning and teaching.
“The major investment also underlines the council’s ongoing commitment to invest in its school estate to improve learning facilities and reduce carbon emissions.”
Aberfoyle Primary School and Schoolhouse, were, along with the adjacent Aberfoyle Parish Church, designed by the architect John Honeyman. Each are Category-B listed status and have a “neo-gothic” architectural style.
The primary school and schoolhouse developed in three main phases – between 1870 and 1906 – with later 20th century additions to the rear.
The schoolhouse was previously used by the school’s caretaker, when such accommodation was provided by schools.
A condition survey carried out in June 2018 by consultants Pick Everard found that while overall the B-listed school building was rated as a B (satisfactory), some elements were deemed a C rating (poor) including roofs, internal walls, redecoration, fixed internal facilities and external
areas.
The separate, newer nursery building was found to be in generally good condition.
