The project will deliver additional and enhanced facilities for the school to help meet demands of a growing local population with the school located near Calderwood core development area, a site of significant development in the East Calder area.

Fleming Buildings Ltd is the main contractor on the project and works are due to commence on Monday 30 October 2023 with anticipated completion in August 2024.

The £5.2 million project will see the existing primary school building extended to provide a new purpose-built 64-place nursery as well as an enlarged multi-purpose hall, a new main entrance and support accommodation.

Upon completion of the circa 600m2 extension works there will be some internal alterations to return the current nursery room to a classroom and to refurbish and modernise aspects of the existing building including the kitchen, WCs and circulation spaces. Proposed external works include a new car park to the south of the site, new fencing, dedicated external play areas for the new nursery and a new grass pitch.

The school will remain in use while work is completed and adjacent roads and public footpaths will remain open to the general public with appropriate arrangements to be put in place to minimise disruption.

Executive councillor for education, Andrew McGuire joined West Lothian Council depute chief executive, Dr Elaine Cook on a visit to the school prior to work starting where they met the school’s headteacher, Judith McEwan, members of the staff team and pupils’.

Cllr McGuire said: “The council continues to recognise the importance in delivering high quality learning environments for young people with this project at St Paul’s the latest investment into enhancing our school estate.

“I was delighted to meet with staff and pupils at St Pauls who will benefit from the extension work. I wish everyone involved in the project all the best and look forward to watching it progress.”

St Paul’s Primary School Headteacher, Judith McEwan, added: “It is an exciting time for the school with work getting underway and we’re already looking forward to the end result. We strive to deliver the best possible environment for our young people on a daily basis and these new facilities can help provide the perfect platform to achieve this.”