General Introduction to Project
Achahoish Primary is situated eleven miles from Lochgilphead in a rural upland location within Knapdale National Scenic Area overlooking Loch Caolisport. The school has a warm, welcoming ethos based on a sound partnership between staff, parents, pupils and the local community. For example a variety of activities, centred around sports, fund-raising and charity events are undertaken by the school and the local community. A significant success was the establishment of a new garden completed in partnership with the local community, who also help maintain it.
The school subscribes to Eco Schools, Health Promoting Schools and Grounds for Learning. The school already has an Eco School Bronze Award, and has applied for Green Flag status. The school is also participating in the Global Footprint initiative.
The main reasons for including this school are the ways in which the building addresses modern teaching needs in a rural location with a small school roll of only 30 pupils. The ideas used are equally applicable to other smaller or slightly larger schools. The external design fits with other buildings in this area and internally offers great flexibility. This has been used to advantage in terms of the creation of a welcoming, well proportioned and centrally located entrance with a large gym and dining hall on one side, which is ideal for community use for a variety of purposes. The informally divided classroom area has upper and lower school zones clearly defined, and a separate computer area at the back of this space overlooks the playground and hilly landscape to the rear. While pupils and staff loved their old Victorian school, it was not until they moved into the new facility that they realised that the old buildings were no longer fit for purpose.