Current Developments
We are proud that St Columba’s has been at the heart of the Kilmacolm community for over 110 years and has developed to become one of Scotland’s leading independent schools. The Governors and staff are focused on the development and progression of the School to build on the successes of recent years.
A key strategic issue facing the School at present is the enhancement of Senior School facilities to ensure that we continue to offer a first class learning environment. Ideally we would like to have new teaching accommodation for the Science and Humanities faculties which will then free up space within the main building to allow Transitus pupils to return to Senior School, provide additional teacher bases and social areas for pupils.
Senior School Extension
St Columba’s School has entered into a Heads of Terms agreement with the Trustees of Duchal Estate for the option to purchase land adjacent to Gryffe Road at Milton Wood for a Senior School extension. Any land purchase would be subject to detailed site investigations and the granting of planning consent by Inverclyde Council; ground investigations are due to commence this summer.
If we are successful in building at Milton Wood, the Senior School would operate on both the existing site and on the Milton Wood site. Initial thoughts are to erect three buildings on the new site in addition to sporting facilities, including pitches, an athletics track and a pavilion. The first phase would include a new Science building and a car park for the use of staff and the local community. The Board believes that this is a wonderful opportunity for the facilities of the School to be developed in phases over the next 20 years or so.
To ensure that the local community is briefed we have already met with the neighbours of the Senior School, local Councillors, the Community Council and the Civic Trust. We will continue to report on progress via The Advertizer and on this page of the school website. If the results of the site investigations are favourable, outline designs should follow in the autumn of 2010 with a further period of consultation until the end of the year.
Senior School Renovation & Junior School Nursery
In addition to the proposed extension, we are also undertaking the next stage of our Senior School refurbishment programme and at Junior School hope to build a permanent Nursery. The proposal is to replace the current temporary building which is nearing the end of its life with a new permanent small single-story classroom extension to the gable of the existing classroom block. Building work will commence as soon as the necessary planning consents have been achieved with completion approximately 12 weeks thereafter.
We hope to have found a promising route forward for the Senior School extension and will provide an update next session. In the meantime if you have any feedback please contact the School’s Head of Marketing & Development, Nichola McKay at nmckay@st-columbas.org.
Development Update Aug 2010 - Letter from Chairman
Development Update May 2010 - Letter from Chairman
Development Update Feb 2010 - Letter from Chairman