School plan will make the grade

At a meeting of the council’s ruling executive last week it emerged that unlike Peebles High School and Galashiels Academy, Hawick High School’s redevelopment would not be a complete rebuild.

Instead some of the Buccleuch Road school’s historic elements would be retained at the current site.

That created some alarm among town councillors who said they had not been informed of the plan.

But after a meeting with education authority representatives on Friday, town representatives now say they are happy with the proposals.

Hawick and Hermitage’s Watson McAteer said: “I was very satisfied that it is not just building on bits and pieces. It is a completely new school but using the historical main front building, keeping that in place, but actually almost putting a new insert inside and turning it into a modern facility, so we’re all much more satisfied that what is being proposed will be very workable for Hawick.

“I think we were all convinced after the meeting that this could work and would be good for the town. This will not be a temporary thing it will be a new structure which embeds some historical features that could make the school a terrific addition to the town.”

Completion of the school rebuild is earmarked for 2027.