Burdiehouse Nursery is the latest to benefit from the Supergrounds Programme – a scheme to regenerate school grounds to improve the environment as an education resource for pupils whilst providing valuable training and work experience for unemployed people across Edinburgh.

The Supergrounds Programme was launched in 2000 with the sum of £150,000 from The Royal Bank of Scotland to make these improvements to schools. The project also involves Capital Skills who offer those on government programmes such as New Deal and Skillseekers the opportunity to gain experience and qualifications by carrying out the regeneration of the playgrounds. The designs for the grounds are provided by a team of pupils, parents and staff at the schools.

Burdiehouse Nursery School playground before the Supergrounds Programme.

11 young people are already in real jobs such as a Council seasonal gardener and construction labourer. Due to the project, 10 others have completed the course achieving an SVQ Level 1 in Construction or Amenity Horticulture and six playgrounds have been extensively revamped as detailed in the Annual Report released today (12 June 2002). The report outlines the success of the first phase of the project and the benefits it has made within the community.

Ian Bell, Senior Manager, The Royal Bank of Scotland said, "The Royal Bank’s support for Supergrounds is based on a real commitment to investing in Edinburgh as a local community. The programme’s success comes from the partnership behind it and not least, the enthusiasm of the teachers and parents and imagination of the pupils."

After the Supergrounds Programme. Donald Anderson, Leader of Edinburgh City Council with children and Ian Bell, Senior Manager, The Royal Bank of Scotland.

Donald Anderson, Leader of Edinburgh City Council said, "The Council is delighted to be in partnership with The Royal Bank of Scotland in this project.  It allows schools to make ambitious improvements to their grounds more quickly than would be possible through Council funding alone.  The playground at Burdiehouse Nursery shows the high-quality work that is being done by Capital Skills trainees. The fact that eleven unemployed people found work in the first year is an excellent double benefit."

1. The Royal Bank of Scotland Supergrounds Awards Annual Report 2000/2001 is available upon request.
2. Case studies are available on request.
3. Before photographs can be emailed out on request and after photographs can be taken on the day or available afterwards.
4. Last year The Royal Bank of Scotland Group spent £27.5 million making a difference to the local communities in which it works. Its community investment programme focuses on those people who remain excluded from society and it has joined forces with organisations that can make a real impact on social inclusion.
5. Capital Skills is managed by the council’s Economic Development Division and provides training in construction skills and horticulture to unemployed people in the city. Its key aim is to take those who are seen as unemployable and to help them find work by developing their skills and work experience, while at the same time improving the city environment.
6. The school projects that were completed in 2000/01 are:-

• Craigentinny Primary School
• Ferryhill Nursery School
• Royal High Primary School
• Sciennes Primary School
• Sighthill Primary School
• Stockbridge Primary School

The schools to be completed in 2002/03 are:-

• Stanwell Nursery School, Leith
• Burdiehouse Nursery, Burdiehouse
• Children’s House Nursery School, Craigmillar
• Greengables Nursery School and Family Centre, Niddrie
• Orwell Primary School, Dalry
• Gracemount Primary School, Gracemount
• Clovenstone Primary School, Clovenstone
• Oxgangs Primary School, Colinton Mains
• Fox Covert RC/ND Primary School, Clerwood
• Dean Park Primary School, Balerno
• Calder Glen Primary School, Wester Hailes
• Echline Primary School, South Queensferry

Issued by: Sonya Ashworth Tel: 0131 523 4205
Assistant Manager, Media Relations