Kirkshaws primary is the local non-denominational school for the area of Old Monkland and Kirkshaws. We are situated in the middle of our catchment area about halfway along Old Monkland Road and all our children can easily walk to school. We have easy access for the children, including ramps, at the front and rear of the building.

The main building consists of a one-storey traditional building which dates from 1957. The school has ten classrooms across three corridors, and outside each classroom are working bays where small groups of children can work. There is also a large Purposeful Play room, a well-stocked library and resource room. We have a purpose built gym and assembly hall that has a large stage and a separate dining hall which provides hot and cold meals prepared on the premises.

Our well maintained building is situated in the middle of large grassed grounds which contain a football field. We have three separate playgrounds and this means the younger children are in their own area and not mixed up with the older children. This helps to keep accidents to a minimum.

Our well-established nursery at present accommodates 60 children, taking 30 in the morning and 30 in the afternoon. It has its own entrance and is afforded with two large bright playrooms, a large outdoor area and parent room.

As well as class teachers and office staff, staffing includes two music specialists who visit the school one day per week, a parent support worker, an early years worker and two learning support teachers. There are also three classroom assistants who are timetabled to provide support in each classroom as well as an Additional Support Needs assistant who works with specific children on an agreed basis.

They are a very hard working and dedicated staff, who always expect the best from and for the children. Our positive policy to attitudes, behaviour and standards rewards the children for all their efforts and this plays a big part in our approach.

The school plays an active role within the immediate community and through liaison with the wider community and other educational establishments, including strong links with its associated secondary Coatbridge High School. In addition, many teachers offer after-school activities to our pupils: these include netball, drama, music, orienteering and football.

Parents are kept informed of school activities through the school website, regularly up-dated blogs, newsletters, Pupil Booklets, Parental Assemblies, Information meetings, pupil music performances, Class Open Days, Parents’ Evenings and Report Cards from both teachers and the children themselves. Parents also help at outings, sports festivals and Clubs.

Kirkshaws has official business partnerships with St Andrew’s Hospice and Heart Start.

We have an active Fundraisers committee who meet regularly to organise fundraising activities and events.

Pupils normally transfer from primary to secondary between the ages of 11.5 and 12.5 so that they will have the opportunity to complete at least four years of secondary education. Pupils from Kirkshaws primary normally transfer to Coatbridge High school.