Jedburgh’s new school opens to all pupils today

The innovative learning space for 2 to 18-year-olds welcomed nursery children and primary one, first year and sixth year pupils today, with all other year groups attending for their first day today.

The school, now known as Jedburgh Grammar Campus, which replaces Jedburgh Grammar School and Parkside and Howdenburn primary schools, was due to open in April 2020, but due to coronavirus restrictions, instead opened this week.

The campus was delivered by Scottish Borders Council, alongside development partner Hub South East and main contractor BAM Construction.

Council leader Shona Haslam said: “I know children in Jedburgh have waited so long for this day and I am delighted it is finally here.

“Jedburgh Grammar Campus is a fantastic asset, with the equipment and facilities on offer providing a first-class learning environment for young people.

“I must thank all families in the Jedburgh area for their understanding and patience during this extremely challenging period.

“We realise there will be some anxiety amongst pupils and parents/carers arriving at the new campus, particularly in the current circumstances.

“However, I can assure them our first priority is the safety of pupils and staff, with a number of new Covid-19 related arrangements and routines in place in place. I also know our Campus staff have worked extremely hard to help children settle into their exciting new learning space.”

Councillor Carol Hamilton, the council’s executive member for children and young people, added: “Jedburgh Grammar Campus will provide significant educational and wellbeing benefits for children, young people, families and the wider community in one location.

“The council thanks all of its partners for helping to deliver this fantastic facility which the whole community can enjoy for years to come.”

Jedburgh Grammar Campus Headteacher Susan Oliver said: “We are delighted to finally welcome our children and young people through the doors this morning and are in no doubt that it has been worth the wait.

“I am hugely grateful to everyone who has worked with us over the last few weeks to make sure we were ready to open. There was a wonderful buzz in the campus this morning, with children already making use of the fantastic facilities on offer.”

Live Borders, the region’s culture and sports trust, will proactively manage community access to the campus, which presently is restricted to outdoor facilities such as the sport pitches.

Further information will be provided on access to indoor facilities when restrictions are relaxed.

Sports facilities include multi-use games area, 2G hockey pitch, 3G sports pitch, 100m synthetic running track, 300m grass track and gym.

Alongside classrooms, there is a rural skills area, flexible hall space that can be used for multiple activities such as community events, sport, dance or drama classes, and a café.

SBC’s library and contact centre will also be housed in the campus, but are closed to public due to current guidance.

In the meantime, any member of the public requiring a face-to-face meeting should contact 0300 100 1800, while Live Borders offers online library resources and a “connect and collect” library service for physical stock at www.liveborders.org.uk.

The funding for the new campus was confirmed by Deputy First Minister John Swinney in August 2017, as one of four projects to share £28m from a phase of the Scottish Government’s £1.8 billion ‘Schools for the Future’ programme.

An official opening for the campus is due to be arranged when government coronavirus guidance allows.