Schools which may see pupil numbers soar as others are closed are in line for investment of hundreds of thousands of pounds each.
Fife Council has set out how it intends to invest £6.2 million in upgrading buildings and facilities if its proposals to shut seven of the region’s primary schools are approved.
The largest sums of money £910,000 and £860,000 will go to Camdean Primary School, in Rosyth, and Dunfermline’s Pitreavie Primary School, respectively.
Under the local authority’s school estate review, Pitreavie Primary School will take pupils from Masterton Primary School as its catchment area is rezoned, while the behaviour support service at Lynburn Primary School will be shifted to Camdean Primary School.
Other primary schools to benefit are McLean (£385,000), Cairneyhill (£390,000), Commercial (£680,000), Lynburn (£580,000), Touch (£330,000), Caskieberran (£510,000), Southwood Primary School (£425,000), Kingsbarns (£240,000), Largoward (£300,000), Balmerino (£120,000) and Canmore (£410,000).
In a joint report for the council’s executive committee, school estates service manager Louise Playford and resources team manager Jim Lumsden said: “Each school identified as a receiving school has been visited and investment needs, both current and consequential of any closure or merger, discussed with the head teacher.
“These discussions were particularly focused around suitability and accessibility for learning and teaching, but building condition and long-term maintenance were also considered.
“Works have been identified which will ensure that receiving schools are not only able to accommodate and support the increases in pupil numbers but also to improve provision for all pupils through improving the overall condition of the school buildings.”
The report also said that some of the work needed to be complete before pupils are transferred. The greatest portion of cash, £1.8 million, will be ploughed into upgrading IT at each of the schools.
Many of the buildings will also be redecorated and have toilets upgraded. Other planned improvements included are in lighting, ceilings, windows and playgrounds.
In Glenrothes a further £100,000 will be allocated for relocating the Community Help At Tanshall facility and the behaviour support unit from Tanshall Primary School.
The schools facing the axe are Wellwood, Crombie, Pitcorthie, Tanshall, Dunino, New Gilston and Rathillet. Councillors will be asked to approve the investment programme when the committee meets on Tuesday.