WORK has begun to introduce new facilities at two Borders schools.

Galashiels Academy will see a support centre created for pupils with complex needs; while a new nursery will be constructed at St Boswells Primary.

The new £625,000 facility at Gala Academy will provide a dedicated learning environment near the dining and PE areas.

The centre will also have its own dedicated entrance to accommodate varied access times if required.

Meanwhile, the new extension at St Boswells will see an early years facility created for pre-school children.

The £600,000 centre will have its own entrance and has been designed to encouraged outside learning and play.

Scottish Borders Council say the extension will accommodate 40 children which will help the local authority meet the Scottish Government’s initiative to increase the provision of free early learning and childcare.

Both sets of plans have been drawn up by the council’s own architects team, which also carried out the design of the new Leader Valley School in Earlston in February, while the contractor for both projects is Hawick-based firm James Swinton & Co.

St Boswells Primary’s early years facility is due to be finished in April 2018, while the support centre at Galashiels Academy is due to be completed by May 2018.

Special procedures have also been put in place to ensure the safety of staff and pupils during the construction period at both schools.

And there are parking restrictions at Galashiels Academy during the construction phase, which staff, parents, pupils and visitors have been asked to adhere to.

Councillor Carol Hamilton, SBC’s executive member for children and young people, said: “These are exciting developments for both schools and will provide significantly improved facilities which will help our young people to learn.

“I look forward to seeing the completion of both projects in 2018.”