THE Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons returned to her former Inverclyde school to open a multi-million pound extension.

Eleanor Laing, Tory MP for Epping Forest, attended St Columba’s in Kilmacolm, and was invited back to officially unveil the new building, which completes a two-year £7.5 million series of improvements.

These also include the revamp of the school’s astroturf pitch, landscaping of the Junior School grounds to create ‘wild woods’ and outdoor learning spaces, a complete refurbishment of the science building – and now the new Girdwood Building.

It is named after the school’s rector, David Girdwood, who will retire at the end of session 2016-17, and comprises 13 new classrooms, a new library, a guidance suite, common rooms, additional social and recreational space for pupils, as well as improved teacher preparation areas.

He spoke of his pride in the new building and the opportunities it offers for the school, which has 700 pupils aged from three to 18.

Mr Girdwood said: “As I walk around the new building, through its courtyards and gardens, and look at the profile of it from Gryffe Road, I am struck by how wonderfully the architect has captured the essence of St Columba’s School.

“It lies in the heart of this thriving Inverclyde village as it has since 1897. The new building seamlessly integrates with this historic setting of the school, with flexible modern facilities, and has been achieved without razing any of the beautiful historic buildings to the ground.

“What has been created is consistent with the ethos of the school, quietly building on the achievements of the past as it secures the future.”

Space within the original building will be re-zoned to allow faculties to be grouped together by discipline, and allow for drama to be added to the curriculum with the creation of a new drama studio. 

The extension also allows P7 pupils to relocate from junior to senior school, where they will continue their transitional year with a timetable which sees them move between a base teacher and lessons taught by a range of senior school subject specialists.