Multi-million refurbishments works at Smithton Primary School are on track for completion by the end of the year as students celebrate the opening of their new wing.
The 45-year-old school is currently undergoing £3.2 million worth of improvement works to extend the existing property to improve the space for the 450 pupils.
Five new classrooms will be created at the north’s largest primary school as part of the new extension, which will form a new main entrance.
Following the completion of phase one of the works in December, two classes have now moves into the new senior wing of the building, which provides four new classrooms, an additional support needs base, a senior wing and a base for teachers which will give space to staff to conduct training or meetings.
Head Teacher Aileen Mackay said: “The whole school community is delighted with the progress already made. Staff, young people, families and visitors to the school are beginning to see a building that is better suited to learning in the 21st century. Families in the Smithton catchment area will soon have a fantastic learning environment both indoors and outdoors for years to come.”
One third of the schools existing building was demolished to make way for the new build, which is expected to be completed by September.
Stuart Parker, Morgan Sindall Construction’s managing director in Scotland, said: “It’s great to see works at Smithton primary school progressing so well. Following the successful handover of the refurbished Senior Wing in December, the team is working on the 12,916 square foot extension which is progressing on schedule achieving wind and water tight status in the last week.”
Meanwhile, Councillor Roddy Balfour said the renovations will be a great asset to the local community.
He said: “It’s fantastic. It’s a tremendous reflection of the builders Morgan Sindall. It’s been needed for a long time. Not we have something suitable to the area and suitable for a lot of people.
“Pupils will be able to use it and fill it up for years to come. It’s a feather in the cap that this is the largest primary school in the Highlands and one of the largest in Scotland.
“Its needed in the community, it’s well suited to the community and the community is well suited to the school.”
