The new two storey building in Bishopbriggs will replace the existing Auchinairn Primary, Woodhill Primary schools and Cleddens Learning & Childcare Centre and will house around 560 pupils and 145 pre-school children when it opens in session 2016/17.

Designed by Archial Norr, the new school is being built by Morgan Sindall on the site of the existing Woodhill Primary School on Kirriemuir Road.

Councillor Geekie said: “What a great way to kick 2016 off and signal our continued commitment to education in East Dunbartonshire. This is a very important development for the area and I am delighted that we are about to see the new building take shape.

“There has been a lot of consultation to get us to this point and we have listened to what parent, pupils, staff and local people have had to say about this new building. The finished building, playground areas and sports pitch will provide local children with a first rate educational experience.”

The new school will be the third to be built as part of the council’s Primary School Improvement Programme (PSIP). The schools are being delivered in partnership with hub West Scotland, the council’s development partner.

The first PSIP school, Lairdsland Primary in Kirkintilloch, officially opened in May 2015 and the second school, Lenzie Meadow, is set to open in August 2016.

Like Lenzie Meadow Primary, this new school will be based on the Lairdsland reference design and will feature flexible and open classrooms, outdoor learning areas, landscaped play areas and a full 3G synthetic pitch.

Debbie McNamara, chief executive at hub West Scotland, said: “This is the third of a number of schools hub West Scotland are delivering with our partners East Dunbartonshire Council. I am proud that the successful partnership is delivering high quality educational facilities for the communities of East Dunbartonshire.”