13/2/2009Worth waiting for! Preview pictures from inside and around the new Merrylee Primary School!

View from the balcony overlooking the double height corridor.

By Parent Council: On Thursday 12 February, Mr Jim Wilson, Head of Performance and Asset Management for Glasgow City Council, held a meeting to inform parents, carers and staff of the Merrylee school community about the opening of the new school building.

He did his best to address any questions or concerns and provide the school community with accurate, up to date information. Ian Sharp, Project Manager and a representatives from CBC, the contractor, also attended along with the architect of the new school and local councillors.

While parents voiced their impatience to get into the new building, it was explained that the delay in the new school was unavoidable and hopefully will be well worth the wait when they see their children settle into the fabulous new building.

Merrylee Primary staff on both campuses are working tirelessly to pack up all the equipment whilst still ensuring that the education of the children remains top priority, which means that the school is well prepared to move as soon as they receive notification.

And what a building it is! Outside, the crescent shaped access road in front of the new building ensures a safe drop off point for children attending the school.

Within the school runs a double height 'school street' corridor, linking all of the main rooms. At first floor level a balcony overlooks this 'street', lit by a full length strip of ribbon window glazing.

This split level communal space allows for views through the school, helping the pupils to orientate themselves from the classrooms to the library /the dedicated sports hall / the dining hall, as well as allowing daylight into the main circulation route.

The main classroom area is located at the rear of the building, overlooking the all weather, sports pitch.

Each classroom has large windows to provide extensive daylighting and natural ventilation. The same scale of windows is used in the nursery, where the low sill levels allow even the youngest children to see what's happening outdoors.

Outside, the play area is just as impressive as Merrylee Primary who really believe in the ethos of 'natural play', have worked hard to seek guidance and secure the funding for a natural play area.

The project is largely funded by the Forestry Commission, Glasgow City Council, a sizable donation from Newlands & Auldburn and design & guidance from Felicity Steers of erz Ltd,landscape architects & urban designers.

It is the only school in Scotland, and indeed in Britain,to have been selected to incorporate a natural play environment. What this means is that the school will have an area within its playground for natural play allowing children to connect with the natural environment; create their own play; increase levels of activity and develop social and interpersonal skills.

The project will be used as a pilot which will form a template for future playgrounds at schools in the Glasgow area and will inform future natural play developments in school playgrounds throughout Scotland and beyond.

To measure the impact that a 'natural play area' has on physical activity, classroom behaviour & attention, general well-being and self esteem, the Forestry Commission have requested an independent consultant carry out a lengthy research project on natural play in the school.

It is hoped that the expected positive impact of the play area will encourage authorities to have natural play areas in more schools, nationally.

The project also received a donation from Renewable Energy Systems who became involved due to their interest in the wind turbine that will also be erected at the school.

The turbine will stand at the same height as the floodlights for the playing field (just 15 metres) and provide six kilowatts of green energy to the school, 12% of its expected needs, as well as providing pupils with a weather station measuring atmospheric pressure and humidity.

It will be a rich educational resource for the school curriculum in environmental, science, mathematical and artistic areas.

It will provide the school with clean, green, renewable energy and, unlike other energy sources, produces no carbon dioxide.

It will also generate financial savings for the school. Another example of Merrylee leading the way in primary education.

The rear of the building.

The full size 'all weather' football pitch.

 

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