PUPILS and staff at Scotland’s newest primary school enjoyed their first day together in their new surroundings.

Orchard Primary School and Nursery class was created following the merger of Castlehill and Overtown primaries in Wishaw and forms part of the new £27million Clyde Valley Campus.

The primary also contains a language, communications support unit for around 50 children with special needs.

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Jill Woodward, Head Teacher of Orchard Primary School, said: “I’d like to thank all our staff for working so hard over the last week to ensure the school was ready for our pupils' first day.

“I am very proud of the work done by all parts of the school community to prepare for the children's very first day at Orchard Primary and Nursery.

"This shared building allows us to develop wider community and learning links.

“We are all excited at how we can go on to develop the curriculum and experiences with Clyde Valley High School.

“I am looking forward to all we will go on to achieve and inspire in our new building.

“The school is stunning and allows learning to flow from rooms to more open activity areas.

"This building will allow us to develop learning for the 21st Century.”

The new campus is the first all-through school in North Lanarkshire with accommodation for nursery, primary and secondary pupils.

The building will be opened to locals at evenings and weekends for community activities.

Frank McNally, Convener of Education, added: “Orchard Primary is a fantastic new facility and it is clear that the children at this school are delighted with their new home.

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“I wish all the pupils, teachers, support staff and parents the very best in their state-of-the-art new school.

"This building will not only serve generations of children in Wishaw, it will also become a much valued community asset for local groups to enjoy in the evenings and weekends."

The secondary school will have a roll of 624 pupils while Orchard Primary School will be home to almost 250 pupils.

Secondary pupils at Clyde Valley High School moved in to the all-through campus in January this year.

Nick Quail, head teacher of Clyde Valley High School, said: “The new campus will provide fantastic opportunities to work in close partnership and develop a curriculum for three to 18 years.

“We will provide children with a smooth transition for pupils moving from the nursery to the primary, and primary to secondary.

“Some of our senior pupils will also benefit from work experience opportunities in the primary school.”

The council is continuing plans to rebuild or modernise all schools across North Lanarkshire - current projects include the new Greenfaulds High School building, new Cumbernauld Academy and five primary school campus projects in Coatbridge and Airdrie.

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Jim Logue, Leader of North Lanarkshire Council, added: “We are absolutely committed to providing all our young people with the very best start in life and we have invested over half a billion pounds in new school and community facilities.”