Top marks for Peebles High

David O'Leary - David O'Leary • Last updated 9 Mar 2009 12:06 1 Comment

A first of its kind pilot project at Peebles High passed with top marks this week.

Over the coming year, a house will be designed, priced and built entirely by pupils in the grounds of the school.

And the craft, design and technology classroom will be funded and run by leading property developers, the Muir Group.

The project, Peebles High School: Building Skills Group, was given full backing by SBC councillors at Tuesday"s Executive meeting.

As part of this pioneering partnership, the Muir Group will pay for all classroom building materials, construction and management costs.

While SBC is responsible for providing services to the classroom, the foundations and the facility"s internal fit-out.

Councillors agreed to allocate £50,000 from the Education and Lifelong Learning budget to cover this cost.

Upon completion, the £220,000 house is to be given free of charge to SBC by the Muir Group. The classroom designed with course needs in mind, will provide vocational training in construction trades.

Previously pupils have had to travel to Borders College in Galashiels for this type of education.

Councillor Catriona Bhatia, Scottish Borders Council"s Executive Member for Education, said: 'I"m delighted to be able to support this innovative project, which I think is the first of its kind in Scotland.

'It will give pupils experience not just in construction and joinery skills but in architecture and negotiating the planning process too.

'All-in-all, it will be of great benefit to pupils at Peebles High School. I"m very pleased that the Council"s Executive committee was happy to support the project and also agree to contribute £50,000 towards it.'

MSP Jeremy Purvis alongside councillor Bhatia has been involved in developing this project since its inception chairing an introductory meeting between PHS and the Muir Group last September.

He said: 'I"m delighted to have helped facilitate this pioneering project between the private and public sectors. In terms of Scotland this is the first of its kind and has the potential to offer great benefits to those in vocational training.

'Also, pupils at the school couldn"t ask for a more rounded or involved learning experience.'

A spokesperson for the Muir Group said: 'We are delighted to be involved in this ground breaking project with Peebles High School pupils. It will allow the students to learn building skills first hand as well as provide a facility for their construction crafts course in the future.

'We are also encouraged that Scottish Borders Council appears to be backing the project which will see investment in young people without them having to travel away from their school to get training.

'The Muir Group as a private sector developer is happy to be working with the public sector in this way to help the next generation of the construction industry flourish.'

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 06 Mar 09

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