On 17 September 2026, the Executive (including Education) approved the proposal to establish Primary stage Additional Support Needs (ASN) provision at Carrongrange High School and create an all-through 5-18 ASN Campus. As part of the approved proposal, the Council also decided to permanently discontinue the primary stages of ASN provision currently delivered through Thistle Wing and Thistle Wing Annexe at Kinnaird Primary School and Timezone at Maddiston Primary School and relocate these to the new campus. 

For the purposes of the Schools Consultation (Scotland) Act, the permanent discontinuation and relocation of these primary stages of ASN provision, constitutes a grouped school closure proposal and Falkirk Council has now informed Scottish Ministers of this decision in accordance with Section 15(2) of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 as amended. 

 Details for submitting representations to Scottish Ministers are as follows: 

• By email - schoolclosure@gov.scot 
• By post - The Scottish Government, School Infrastructure Unit, 2B (North) Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ 

The deadline for making representations to Scottish Ministers is Wednesday 7 October 2026 (3 weeks from the decision date). 

Falkirk Council's Executive (including Education) at its meeting on 17 September 2026, considered the findings of the statutory consultation on the proposal to establish Primary stage Additional Support Needs (ASN) provision at Carrongrange High School and create an all-through 5-18 ASN Campus and permanently discontinue the Primary stages of ASN provision currently delivered through Thistle Wing and Thistle Wing Annexe at Kinnaird Primary School and Timezone at Maddiston Primary School and relocate these to the new campus. 

The Council is satisfied that implementation of the proposal is the most appropriate response to the reasons for its formulation, namely: 

• Increasing demand for specialist ASN provision across Falkirk. 
• The need to provide modern, purpose-built accommodation for children and young people with severe, profound and complex additional support needs. 
• The opportunity to create a single all-through 5-18 campus that improves continuity of learning and enhance transitions. 
• The opportunity to enhance access to specialist facilities, resources and multi-agency support services. 
• The need to provide additional capacity and improve the long-term sustainability of specialist ASN provision across the Council area. 

The Council has carefully considered all consultation feedback, including written representations, oral representations, pupil engagement and the report prepared by HM Inspectors. Whilst consultees raised a range of issues, particularly regarding outdoor learning space at Moray Primary School, traffic, transport arrangements, construction impacts, transition arrangements and future capacity, the Council concluded that no new evidence emerged during the consultation that would alter the reasons for formulating the proposal or demonstrate that a reasonable alternative would better meet those reasons. 

The Council remains satisfied that the creation of a purpose-built all-through 5-18 ASN campus at Carrongrange represents the most effective and sustainable means of meeting current and future demand for specialist ASN provision. HM Inspectors concluded that the proposal has the potential to deliver significant educational benefits through improved continuity of learning, enhanced specialist provision, strengthened multi-agency working and increased capacity to meet future demand. 

The Council has reviewed the Educational Benefits Statement prepared as part of the Proposal Paper and is satisfied that the educational benefits identified remain valid. These include: 

• Improved continuity of learning through a 5-18 campus model. 
• Reduced transition points for children and young people. 
• Enhanced specialist accommodation and facilities. 
• Improved access to therapy, sensory and healthcare support. 
• Strengthened multi-agency working. 
• Greater opportunities for achievement, independence and wellbeing 

The Council acknowledges the matters raised regarding the impact of the proposal on outdoor learning space at Moray Primary School. The Council remains committed to ongoing engagement with the Moray Primary School community throughout the detailed design and development phases of the project to identify and implement measures that mitigate these impacts and ensure stakeholder views continue to inform the final development of the site. 

Having considered all representations received during the statutory consultation, the report from HM inspectors and the educational benefits of the proposal, the Council concluded that no new evidence had emerged that would alter the reasons for formulating the proposal or demonstrate that a reasonable alternative would better meet those reasons. The Executive (including Education) therefore approved the proposal on 17 September 2026.  

This notice is to inform interested parties regarding the decision made at Falkirk Council Executive (including Education) on 17 September 2026 to approve the proposal to establish Primary stage Additional Support Needs (ASN) provision at Carrongrange High School and create an all-through 5-18 ASN Campus. As part of the approved proposal, the Council also decided to permanently discontinue the Primary stages of ASN provision currently delivered through Thistle Wing and Thistle Wing Annexe at Kinnaird Primary School and Timezone at Maddiston Primary School and relocate these to the new campus.  

Pupils are expected to transition from the existing Primary ASN provision to the newly constructed ASN Campus during session 2028/29. 

In April 2026, Falkirk Council's Executive (including Education) agreed that a consultation with all stakeholders be undertaken on the proposal to establish Primary stage Additional Support Needs (ASN) provision at Carrongrange High School, creating an all through 5-18 ASN campus.

Falkirk Council has undertaken this consultation seeking views on the proposal, under the terms of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 as amended. The Consultation Report can be viewed below.

A decision on this proposal will be made by Falkirk Council’s Executive on the 17 September 2026. An update on the decision made in regard to this proposal will be made available here.

Falkirk Council is carrying out a statutory consultation on a proposal to establish Primary stage Additional Support Needs (ASN) provision at Carrongrange High School, creating an all through 5-18 ASN campus.

As a result of this proposal, existing Primary ASN provision currently located at:

• Kinnaird Primary School (Thistle Wing and Thistle Wing Annexe); and
• Maddiston Primary School (Timezone)

would be permanently discontinued, with pupils transferring to the new provision once operational.

The Executive (including Education) agreed on 23 April 2026 to progress to a statutory consultation in accordance with the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.

Over a number of years, Falkirk Council has been developing proposals to modernise and expand its Additional Support Needs (ASN) provision.

This proposal reflects:

• Increasing levels of complex, severe and profound ASN across the Council area
• The need to replace Primary ASN accommodation that no longer fully reflects current best practice or the level and nature of pupil need
• The opportunity to deliver a purpose built, fully accessible learning environment through investment supported by the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP)

The proposed development represents a significant capital investment of approximately £30 million in the learning estate. It is an investment proposal, not a savings exercise, and is intended to deliver long term educational, wellbeing and inclusion benefits for children and young people.

Before any final decision can be taken, a formal statutory consultation must be carried out.

The purpose of this consultation is to gather the views of parents, carers, pupils, staff and the wider community who may be affected by the proposal.

The consultation will run from Monday 27 April 2026 to Friday 12 June 2026.

All comments received during the consultation period will be considered and reported to the Executive (including Education) before a final decision is made.

Give us your views

We want to hear your views on this proposal.
You can take part in the consultation by:

• Completing the online consultation questionnaire
• Emailing your comments
• Writing to Education Services
• Attending one of the public meetings listed below

More information on how to respond is included within the Proposal Document.

Three public meetings have been arranged and are open to all interested parties.

In person meeting

• Tuesday 19 May 2026, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
  Carrongrange High School
  Oxgang Road
  Grangemouth
  FK3 9HP

Online meetings

• Wednesday 20 May 2026, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
  Microsoft Teams
  Meeting ID: 350 388 969 948 257
  Passcode: Uu7cw2ov
  
  
• Monday 25 May 2026, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
  Microsoft Teams
  Meeting ID: 373 776 445 332 88
  Passcode: Y6bK7dr7

At the meetings, council officers will outline the proposal, answer questions and record views expressed.

The key documents relating to this consultation are available below:

Printed copies can also be requested free of charge.

Documents can be provided in alternative formats or languages on request.

This consultation is being carried out in accordance with the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.

If you have any questions about this consultation, please contact:

The Council recognises the strength of concern within the Moray Primary School community about the proposed use of part of the school's grassed playing field. These FAQs summarise responses to concerns raised with Education Services for sharing with the wider school community.

What is being proposed?

Falkirk Council is proposing to establish primary Additional Support Needs (ASN) provision alongside Carrongrange High School, creating a purpose-built campus for children and young people aged 5 to 18 with severe, profound and complex additional support needs.

The new facility would replace the primary ASN provision currently delivered through Thistle Wing, Thistle Wing Annexe and Timezone. It would also include permanent additional teaching accommodation at Carrongrange High School and improvements to the Green Hub.

The proposal is intended to:

• increase the number of specialist ASN places available;
• provide modern, purpose-built and fully accessible accommodation;
• improve continuity between primary and secondary education;
• reduce the number of transitions experienced by pupils; and
• bring education, health and other specialist support together on one campus.

What did we learn from the consultation process?

The consultation process provided valuable feedback from a wide range of stakeholders, including parents, pupils, staff and members of the local community. Many comments from Moray Primary School parents focused on the potential impact of the proposal on outdoor space, pupil experience, safety, traffic and site arrangements.

All consultation responses were considered and informed the development of the Consultation Report. Following the end of the formal consultation period, the report remained available on the Council website for a further three weeks to allow any factual errors or omissions to be identified before the report was finalised for consideration by the Executive. No requests to correct errors or omissions in the Consultation Report were received during this period.

The Council has engaged directly with Moray Primary School and parent representatives throughout the process. Feedback received through the consultation identified matters requiring further consideration during the detailed design, planning and implementation stages.

What happens to correspondence received after the consultation report closing date?

Comments received after the deadline for identifying factual errors or omissions in the Consultation Report cannot form part of the statutory consultation process. However, correspondence received by the Council continues to be considered and may be drawn to the attention of officers and Elected Members as part of the wider decision-making process.

What are Elected Members being asked to decide on 17 September?

Under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, Elected Members are being asked whether to approve the education proposal to establish the integrated 5–18 ASN campus and discontinue the existing primary ASN provision at Thistle Wing, Thistle Wing Annexe and Timezone.

They are not being asked to approve the final building or landscape design. If the education proposal is approved, the planning, transport, design, construction and technical arrangements would be developed and assessed separately through the relevant statutory, planning and governance processes. The Council would still be required to demonstrate that the final arrangements are safe, suitable, accessible and legally compliant.

Was the Council correct to describe the playing field as underused?

The Council does not hold a specific document or dataset quantifying the level of use of the grassed playing field. The description contained within the Proposal Document was informed by operational knowledge of the site, including discussion with school management and consideration of the physical condition and usability of the area. The information available indicates that poor drainage and waterlogging limit the use of the field during significant periods of the year. The Council therefore does not consider the description contained within the Proposal Document to be factually inaccurate.

Will Moray Primary School lose its grass playing field?

The current proposal would use the existing main grassed playing field for part of the new development. The Council recognises that this is a significant concern for Moray Primary families. However, the proposal would not remove all of the school’s outdoor space.

The remaining outdoor areas would be reconfigured and improved. The latest landscape proposal identifies approximately 11,386 square metres of designated play space for Moray Primary School. This includes a proposed 1,368 square metre all-weather multi-use games area, measuring approximately 40 metres by 34 metres.

The all-weather area would have a soft polymeric surface rather than standard tarmac. It would be more than twice the size of the school’s current tarmacked games area and would provide space for play, PE and sport throughout the year. The final colour, markings and fencing would be designed for primary school use.

How does the proposed outdoor space compare with what Moray Primary has now?

The Council’s records cover Moray Primary School and Carrongrange High School as one combined campus. There are no legally separate site areas recorded for the individual schools. Different plans have also used different methods to measure the existing outdoor space. This means that a direct like-for-like comparison is not currently available.

The latest landscape proposal identifies approximately 11,386 square metres of designated play space for Moray Primary School following the development, including the proposed 1,368 square metre all-weather games area. The final area schedule and comparison with the existing provision will be confirmed through the detailed design and approval process.

Is the all-weather area the only proposed improvement?

No. It is one part of the proposed outdoor provision, rather than a complete replacement for all other outdoor space.

The current proposals also include:

• improvements to drainage and the usability of outdoor areas at the rear of Moray Primary;
• retention of the existing playground;
• retention of the school’s Eco Garden;
• landscaping improvements;
• relocated play equipment and playground structures;
• hard-surfaced and soft-landscaped areas;
• accessible routes; and
• consideration of boundary treatments, fencing and security.

Together, these measures are intended to provide a varied, accessible and more consistently usable outdoor environment for Moray Primary pupils.

Will Moray pupils be moved from the rear playground to the front playground?

No. Pupils who currently use the rear outdoor areas would continue to have access to outdoor space at the rear of the school, including the proposed all-weather area. Pupils who currently use the front playground would continue to do so.

The proposal would not result in all pupils being moved to, or using, the front playground at the same time. Existing supervision, security and pupil management arrangements would continue, and the Council’s current assessment is that the proposal would not create any increased safeguarding, child protection or pupil safety risk. Detailed operational arrangements would continue to be developed with the school as the project progresses.

Will Moray Primary still have enough outdoor space?

The School Premises (General Requirements and Standards) (Scotland) Regulations 1967 do not set a single current fixed minimum area for outdoor space at every primary school. The adequacy of the provision must be considered as a whole, including its size, suitability, accessibility, safety and practical use.

The Council’s current position is that there is no indication that the proposal would fail to meet the applicable requirements. However, final confirmation will depend on the detailed design, technical assessments and statutory approval processes.

The assessment will take account of the school roll, operational requirements, accessibility, site constraints and the quality, safety and year-round usability of the outdoor environment.

How will sports days and other whole-school activities be accommodated?

The outdoor design must support the school’s day-to-day curriculum, play, PE, outdoor learning and wider activities. How larger events, including sports days, will operate will be considered with the school during the detailed design process.

Nearby facilities may provide additional options for some activities where appropriate, but these would not replace the outdoor provision that must be available at Moray Primary itself.

Were the concerns of Moray Primary families considered?

Yes. The potential loss of outdoor space at Moray Primary was the main concern raised during the statutory consultation.

Council officers met representatives of the Moray Parent Partnership and Parent Teacher Association to discuss these concerns and possible mitigation. The issues raised included outdoor learning and play, health and wellbeing, traffic and road safety, construction disruption, environmental impact and the quality and accessibility of the remaining space.

These concerns are recorded in the Consultation Report and were taken into account alongside pupil engagement, the educational benefits of the proposal and the findings of HM Inspectors.

These concerns have informed the recommendation that the school community should remain involved as the project moves into its next stage.

Why can the ASN provision not be built somewhere else?

The purpose of the proposal is to create an integrated 5–18 specialist campus alongside the existing secondary provision.

Locating the new primary provision beside Carrongrange High School would allow pupils to benefit from shared specialist facilities, staff expertise and multi-agency support. It would also support continuity between primary and secondary education and reduce the disruption that transitions can cause for children with complex needs.

A physically separate site would not provide these educational and operational benefits to the same extent.

A range of site layouts was considered before the preferred option was selected. Alternative configurations presented difficulties including greater disruption to occupied schools, effects on nursery, teaching or other outdoor areas, more difficult access to shared specialist facilities, reduced scope for future expansion, increased cost or a longer construction programme.

The preferred layout was considered to provide the best overall balance of educational, operational, site and delivery requirements. Detailed design work will continue to consider how the layout can be improved and its impact reduced.

What will happen about traffic and road safety?

A formal Transport Assessment will be completed through the detailed design and planning process. It will consider:

• taxi and minibus movements;
• drop-off and pick-up arrangements;
• pedestrian routes;
• staff parking;
• servicing and emergency access;
• conditions on Moray Place and Oxgang Road; and
• any road-safety or traffic-management measures required.

The current design builds on the existing Green Hub drop-off arrangements and proposes separate off-site staff parking at Abbotsinch.

The Council’s initial view is that a major increase in traffic is not anticipated because most pupils would arrive by contracted transport and primary and secondary start times differ. However, this remains subject to the formal Transport Assessment.

Any road-safety or traffic-management measures identified through the assessment would need to be considered and approved through the relevant Roads and planning processes.

How will construction risks be managed?

Detailed construction arrangements would be developed as the design progresses. These would include contractor method statements, risk assessments and traffic-management plans covering:

• site security and separation of construction activity from pupils;
• pupil and staff access;
• construction deliveries;
• noise and dust;
• construction traffic;
• congestion around school arrival and departure times; and
• the safe phasing of the work.

The schools would be kept informed about construction safety, access and the planned phasing of the work.

Construction arrangements would be required to prioritise pupil safety and maintain secure separation between the school and construction areas. These arrangements would be monitored and reviewed as the work progresses.

What happens next, and will Moray Primary families continue to be involved?

If the education proposal is approved, work would continue on the detailed building and landscape design, planning application, Transport Assessment, technical assessments and construction arrangements.

Education Services and Place Services would continue to engage with Moray Primary School, pupils, parents and parent representatives. This engagement will provide opportunities for parents, pupils and staff to contribute to discussions regarding mitigation measures, refinement of proposals where appropriate, and consideration of how the outdoor environment can continue to support learning, recreation and wellbeing. While it may not be possible to accommodate every requested change, the school community will have further opportunities to help shape the detailed design and the practical use of Moray Primary’s outdoor areas.

The final design would still need to demonstrate that the outdoor provision is functional, secure, accessible and suitable for the curriculum, play, physical activity, outdoor learning and the school’s normal operation.