An Aberdeen councillor insists plans to build a new £37million school in his community could transform educational standards in the south of the city.
Plans have been launched to replace Torry and Kincorth academies with a four-story facility between Redmoss Road and Wellington Road.
It would also contain a gym, fitness suite, games hall, artificial sports pitch and a dance studio.
Aberdeen City Council’s planning development management committee is expected to make a decision on the new academy on Thursday .
Last night, councillor Alan Donnelly, of the Ferryhill and Torry ward, said the new school would boost the number of subjects available to pupils in the area, which could lead to more of them making it to university.
He said: “The plans are for a state of the art modern facility – currently Torry Academy is half full and Kincorth Academy is the same.
“Pupils can’t currently get all the subjects they want, they’re having to go to other schools to take classes and some are having to go as far as Aberdeen Grammar School and Harlaw School.
“The school will offer a brand new curriculum and if we want as many people as possible to go to universities this will be essential.”
Earlier this week, Nigg Community Council chairman Alan Strachan sent out a letter raising concerns about pupils travelling across Wellington Road to get to the new school.
He said: “Supporting documents suggest 80% of the pupils will walk of cycle to school, but is it acceptable to have pupils walk or cycle up a long steep hill, cross Wellington Road to get to and from school?”
A further five objections have been lodged.
But Councillor Donnelly said concerns had to be overcome in order to boost educational standards.
He said: “With the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, the pressure on the transport on Wellington Road could soon be eased.
“There will always be challenges but the prospect of a new school with a full curriculum will be worth it.”