Scotland international hooker, Ross Ford, celebrated the opening the new sports wing at Priorsford primary school, Peebles.Scotland international hooker, Ross Ford, celebrated the opening of the new sports wing at Priorsford primary school, Peebles. Staff and pupils were joined by the Borders born front rower along with Executive Member for Education, Councillor Catriona Bhatia; and many other special guests to celebrate the completion of the first part of the phased extension programme. The new wing has provided the school with new Assembly Hall, Library, General Purpose Room and social areas. It also has created community areas that are readily accessible out-with school hours. Ross Ford, said: I believe school is the foundation for your future and I hope this new extension with all its new facilities will contribute to the whole morale of the staff, parents and of course – the pupils. It’s important for youngsters to stick in at school and focus on their education and with the school expanding, this is giving them all a good starting point – with more space and facilities than they had before. The school is currently the largest primary school in the Borders with over 400 pupils. In 2006, Scottish Borders Council’s Capital Management Group recommended the capital spend of£700,000 as the first phase in expanding the school. Ross Ford and Councillor Catriona Bhatia cut the ribbon to officially open the new wing. She was impressed with the new facilities: I am really pleased to be here today to mark this special occasion for Priorsford. The population of Peebles has grown significantly over the last few years and with more housing planned for the area, the school urgently needed more space. I am confident that this investment will have a positive impact on the school, as well as providing the surrounding community with excellent facilities. I can also announce that we are submitting our planning application for the next phase, which will be funded from developer contributions.