Councillors to consider fully funding new Carrongrange ASN campus
Councillors will have the opportunity later this month to fully fund the development of a new 5-18 Additional Support Needs (ASN) campus at Carrongrange as part of Falkirk Council’s proposed Capital Programme.
The project would expand the existing Carrongrange High School site to create a single campus for children and young people with severe and complex additional support needs.
Plans for the campus include a new ASN school building, additional secondary classrooms, enhanced outdoor learning and play areas, a synthetic sports pitch and additional parking to support the site.
The development aims to ensure pupils with additional support needs can access the support they require in one dedicated location with facilities designed to meet specialist learning requirements and allow closer working with health and partner services.
The Carrongrange project was confirmed in 2023 as part of Phase 3 of the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP). It will be the first school project in Falkirk to be delivered through the programme, which supports investment in modern, energy-efficient school buildings across Scotland.
Through LEIP, the Scottish Government is expected to provide revenue funding equivalent to around 50% of the core project costs over 25 years, subject to final confirmation.
Councillors will consider the project as part of Falkirk Council’s proposed £276.6 million General Fund Capital Programme for 2026/27 to 2030/31, which sets out planned investment in schools, infrastructure and public assets across the area.
The programme also proposes additional investment in the Carrongrange project through funding generated from the ringfencing of the additional 2.5% council tax increase, allowing the Council to invest further in priority infrastructure.
This additional funding would allow the project to be fully funded and progress in line with updated design requirements and current construction costs as the development moves towards delivery.
The current estimated cost of the development is £29.2 million, reflecting design development, site requirements and wider construction market pressures since the project was first developed. £24.275 million has already been allocated within the Council’s capital programme, with the proposed additional funding covering the remaining investment required.
In April, a report will be taken to an Executive meeting to allow the project to progress to a statutory consultation, with the outcome reported back at a later date.
Jon Reid, Director of Education said:
Demand for additional support needs provision has continued to increase across Falkirk and projects like Carrongrange are important in helping us plan for the future.
“The campus would allow us to bring together services currently delivered across several locations and provide modern purpose-built learning environments designed to meet the needs of children and young people with severe and complex support needs.
Subject to approvals and funding confirmation, the project could move into detailed design and procurement during 2026 and 2027, with construction anticipated to begin in 2027.