PRIMARY kids may get the chance to go to school closer to home after a report predicted a surge in the number of kids by 2020.

Education bosses from Glasgow City Council are to consult with parents in Maryhill about the school provision following council figures which show a rise of 800 children in the area in the next four years.

Kids have been travelling for miles to primary schools since 2009, when council administration closed a number of schools in the area.

A large section of central Maryhill is lacking a primary school, according to opposition councillors who are hoping for a new one to be built.

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Seven years ago, parents of kids at Wyndford Primary and St Gregory's Primary held a sit-in protest for two weeks in a failed attempt to keep their schools open.

Nearby Our Lady of the Assumption Primary School was also closed.

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SNP councillor Franny Scally, who looks after the Maryhill ward, is hoping the administration will agree to build a new school in the centre of Maryhill to accommodate the growing number of children.

Following a meeting with council education spokeswoman Liz Cameron on Wednesday, he said: "Since 2009 it has been a long road for the people of Maryhill.

"Over the last seven years, many primary pupils have had to walk or travel by bus to primary schools outside their area.

"Maryhill is in the process of being regenerated and the Council’s figures suggest that nearly 800 new pupils will live in the wider ward by 2020.

"The provision of new schooling in the central Maryhill area is the final piece in the jigsaw of Maryhill’s rebirth.

"Great news for Maryhill, great news for parents and great news for the children."

Fellow SNP councillor John Letford added: "This is a red letter day for Maryhill.

"As far as I am concerned, nothing is off the table – including denominational provision, a joint campus or indeed, the location of the new provision.

"I urge everyone in Maryhill to take part in the consultation and look forward to Maryhill children going to school in Maryhill."

Liz Cameron, Executive Member for Children, Young People & Lifelong Learning said: "I had a very positive and productive discussion with all ward elected members.

"It’s wonderful to be witnessing the resurgence and regeneration of Maryhill and as a result the need for additional primary school places.

"These discussions are at a very early stage – no site has been earmarked and we are engaging with local members and the community to shape the future proposals.

"Officers are presently undertaking a demographic study with a view of a report to the area partnership after the summer holidays.

"It’s crucial that we engage with everyone in the area so that we can plan for our children’s future education needs."