JEDBURGH will have a new £28 million education campus within the next three years following a funding agreement by the Scottish Government.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney was in the historic town this week to make his government's pledge to the ambitious project.

Once completed, the new school will replace the current Jedburgh Grammar as well as Howdenburn and Parkside primaries and the council-run nurseries.

And it will also offer fresh opportunities for evening classes and other further education.

The new campus is part of the fifth phase of the Scottish Government’s £1.8 billion Schools for the Future programme.

Mr Swinney said: “We originally aimed to build or refurbish 55 schools across Scotland at the outset of the programme in 2009 and have now more than doubled that commitment.

“These new buildings will provide children and young people with inspiring learning environments and some also include facilities for wider community benefit and use that will be enjoyed by generations to come.

“The projects are also a welcome boost to the local economy, creating apprenticeship opportunities for young people and construction jobs across the country.”

The new school will be built at Hartrigge Park, subject to planning permission being granted.

Work is due to start next spring with a completion date a further 18- to 24 months later.

The project will see Scottish Borders Council team up with development partner Hub South East Scotland.

And BAM Construction has already been announced as the appointed contractor.

Greig Jamieson, Hub South East’s commercial director, told us: “This is a major investment in education for our client, Scottish Borders Council, and we are delighted to be working in partnership to ensure its successful delivery.

“The new Jedburgh Campus will provide a modern learning experience, fit for the needs of all generations, and as we develop this exciting project, we look forward to ensuring that the community will benefit from investment in the local area.”

During a major consultation exercise undertaken last year, 98 per cent of the local community and 99 per cent of Jedburgh pupils backed plans for an intergenerational learning campus.

This week's announcement has been welcomed by the local authority's education spokeswoman, councillor Carol Hamilton.

She said: “Scottish Borders Council is delighted with the announcement of this exciting opportunity for the Jedburgh community.

“This not only provides a single learning space for two year old to 18 year olds, but will have potential to support learning opportunities for older learners and be a wider community resource as well.

“The existing provisions of the Grammar School and the two primary schools at Parkside and Howdenburn have served the community well.

“However, it became clear when we spoke to the community during extensive public consultations in 2016 and this year that there are a number of concerns about their ability to provide the education and learning experiences that the children and young people in Jedburgh require and need.

“We now have a unique and hugely exciting opportunity not only for Jedburgh’s children and young people, but for the whole community with the needs of all generations being catered for.

"We are delighted that the Scottish Government has agreed to fund this very exciting initiative by Scottish Borders Council."