Back to class for Lochgelly South Primary kids

The youngsters were temporarily moved to St Kenneth's Primary school after the 2023 summer holidays after investigation work prior to installing a new modular unit on the grounds of the school showed a historic mine working beneath the grounds.

The discovery put the building at risk of subsidence in the future and triggered the major revamp project which involved major remedial ground consolidation work.

The project was undertaken by the council's building services teams, with the help of local contractors, and took a year to complete.

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The building was stripped back to bare walls, with rotten timbers and damp plaster being removed throughout the school.

Work being carried out at Lochgelly South Primary School. (Image: Fife Council) After the ground consolidation work was completed, the interior of the building underwent a full refurbishment and modernisation, creating a modern school environment.

Outside, there's with a new modular nursery, multi use games area, a separate play area, fencing, paths, and a revamped car park. The roof and guttering have been repaired and innovative sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) installed, along with fully external painting of the school.

Steve Anderson, service manager for building services, said: “This was a unique and challenging project for us, and the first time this kind of ground consolidation work has been undertaken in Fife.

"Restoring the school's ornate original fixtures, alongside providing new modern features, was a particularly challenge but one our in-house teams and local contractors were happy to take on to deliver a facility the young people and staff can enjoy learning and working in for many years to come”.

Lochgelly South Primary School while the £7m improvement project was taking place. (Image: Fife Council) Fife Council's spokesperson for building services, Cllr Judy Hamilton, added: "Many children have started their learning at Lochgelly South over the years and I'm delighted that we've been able to secure the building's future for generations to come.

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"I'm proud that the many of the skills needed to undertake such a challenging project are held within our own workforce or local businesses"

Headteacher Lorraine Taylor said the children had settled back in well.

"We're very grateful to St Kenneth's for letting us share their school while the work was carried out and to everyone involved in bringing about some fantastic improvements as part of the project," she said.

"Even though everything is brand new, the school still feels very familiar! We're looking forward to many years of learning ahead of us."