PLANS for a new Wallyford Primary School have been approved by East Lothian Council.

The new school, which will be built as part of the new St Clements Wells development on the outskirts of the village, will expand its catchment to take in housing at Dolphingstone Farm, which currently falls under Sanderson’s Wynd Primary School, in Tranent.

And it will replace the current primary school in the village, providing nearly double the capacity, including the nursery, primary and social, emotional and behavioural needs provision.

A report on the public consultation over the move to build a new school revealed nearly all those who took part backed the council plans, with less than seven per cent against a new school.

One in five were against any changes to the catchment area; however, Education Scotland said it believed the new facility would offer clear educational benefits to all attending.

Fa’side councillor Donald Grant told Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council he expected the new catchment area to affect less than a dozen households, adding that families would be offered a choice initially, rather than split siblings between primary schools.

At a meeting of East Lothian Council this week, Fiona Robertson, the council’s head of education, said the plans would see children move into a new school around August 2018.

And she added: “There should be no negative impact on pupil numbers at Sanderson’s Wynd, as it is forecast the roll is set to grow in the coming years due to new housing developments in the Tranent area.

“Pupils moving into housing in the Dolphingstone area from August 2017 onward will attend Wallyford Primary School and the associated secondary school. Pupils currently attending Sanderson’s Wynd will have the option to remain at their current school for the remainder of their primary school and transfer to Ross High School for their secondary education if they wish to do so. Siblings of children at the affected schools will have the option to attend Sanderson’s Wynd and Ross High.”

Councillor Shamin Akhtar, council spokesperson for education and children’s services, said: “I would like to thank the Wallyford community for engaging so fully with this process. It was very important to us to get this right, as the existing school is a key feature of Wallyford – and the new school will be, perhaps, the biggest primary in East Lothian.

“I feel very strongly that the new school will provide the best learning environment possible for local children and will also be a great facility for the community.”