THE first new secondary schools to be built in Aberdeen in a quarter of a century were officially opened yesterday.
Pupils and staff caught their first glimpse of the new Cults and Bucksburn academies on what was hailed as a historic day by city leaders.
Built at a combined cost of more than £55million, the two Scandinavian-designed secondaries were described by new city education director Annette Bruton as among the finest she had seen.
The official unveiling of the schools, the first secondaries to be built in Aberdeen since Oldmachar Academy in 1983, marked the latest milestone in the local authority’s flagship 3Rs school building programme, with pupils now being taught in four of the city’s 10 planned new schools.
Aberdeen City Council chief executive Sue Bruce told staff and guests that it was a historic day.
Complete with a 25-metre (82ft) swimming pool, sports pitches, running track and full-size, floodlit all-weather football and hockey pitch, the £30million replacement for Cults Academy can accommodate up to 1,150 pupils.
Ms Bruton said the Scottish Government were considering using it as a template for best practice in schools building.
Head teacher Anna Muirhead said: “We are delighted with the fantastic design of the building.
“Staff and pupils are really looking forward to working in such a high-quality environment – both inside and out.”
At the £25million Bucksburn Academy, the 650-pupil replacement for Bankhead Academy and Marlpool School, council leader John Stewart described the facility as unique because of its capacity to help integrate 96 youngsters with special educational needs into the mainstream secondary.
Head teacher Kas Mohamed said: “Inclusion will be at the heart of the new school, where we will match the considerable investment in this building with an equal investment in promoting the achievement of all our young people.”
Local Labour councillor Barney Crockett said the school would provide a “fantastic boost” for the community.