ST MARGARET'S Primary School in Cowie is to be the priority primary school project in 2014/15 - Stirling Council have said.

The announcement comes after a meeting of the Education Committee last Thursday, which met to discuss progress on work over the past two years to improve Stirling Council school buildings and priorities for investment over the next two years.

The Committee agreed that work on St Margaret's Primary School in Cowie is to be the priority primary school, followed by St Ninian's Primary School in 2015/16. Investment in Cornton Primary School to address capacity issues is scheduled from 2017.

Stirling Council's Education Portfolio Holder, Councillor Alistair Berrill said: "This review looks at what has been achieved to date and where the focus needs to be next. To be able to offer every child the best possible start in life, and to support local families as effectively and as early as possible, the condition, suitability, capacity and energy efficiency of our school buildings must be carefully monitored and managed.

"It is essential to prioritise so that limited resources are used where the need is greatest. We are committed to carrying out the work which is needed at St Margaret's, St Ninian's and Cornton, and the necessary finance has been identified from the appropriate capital budgets. In the case of St Ninian's Primary School the Council's projected investment will be match funded by the Scottish Government's Schools for the Future Programme." A report to the Committee also confirmed that phased refurbishment of Riverside Primary School is expected to be completed this summer. The project is set to cost a total of �3.6 million, 50% part-funded by the Scottish Government's Schools for the Future programme. Changes will include a large flexible gym and dining area.

Other major projects which have been completed since 2010 include the refurbishment of Cowie Primary School at a cost of �2.1 million, the refurbishment and extension of Doune Primary School at a cost of �1.4 million, and the building of a new East Plean Primary School at a cost of �4.1 million, with �1.8 million reimbursed through insurance settlement following the 2010 fire which destroyed the original school.