The re-building of Dumbarton Academy is one of the most significant local issues. 

I believe that every child and every teacher, and indeed, every community has the right to a modern fit for purpose school. Previously other schools in this constituency received substantial investment and have either been refurbished or rebuilt to meet the needs of modern learning. Dumbarton Academy deserves this same level of investment.

In 2007 the SNP promised to match Labour school building programme "brick for brick".  Thus far they have failed to do this and as a result Dumbarton Academy pupils, teachers and staff are working day in day out in a school that is no longer fit for purpose.

On Monday 28th September Fiona Hyslop announced the SNP School Building Programme.  As is rightly so, Dumbarton Academy was included.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my constituents who joined my postcard campaign to ensure that a new Dumbarton Academy was included.  It was a joint effort that we can all be proud of.

But the work does not stop here.  It is crucial that the pressure is kept on the SNP government to deliver this much needed school within a respectable timeframe.

I will keep you informed of the work I am continuing to do to ensure this.

If you would like to join my campaign and be kept informed of my progress on this issue please click here.