Deputy First Minister John Swinney yesterday offered light at the end of the tunnel in the Tain school campus saga by recognising the “urgency” for a replacement.
Mr Swinney was speaking during a visit to four Highland schools ahead of the return of parliamentary business today.
And it was during the trip north that Mr Swinney visited Tain with representatives of Highland Council to see the current state of the local authority’s priority for the next wave of government funding.
Mr Swinney said: “I have had the benefit of seeing first-hand the quality of the school structure, which I acknowledge is very poor and obviously that will help me in the decision-making that I have got to make.
“I am looking carefully at those proposals that I have received from across the country but a visit to Tain has given me a real sense of the urgency and the necessity for improvements to the school.”
Mr Swinney’s recognition of the challenges faced by Tain will satisfy the calls of elected members, with regional MSP Edward Mountain and constituency MSP Gail Ross both calling on the Scottish Government representative to induce the “absolutely vital” funding required.
The plans to upgrade Tain Royal Academy to deliver a 3-18 facility to serve the town were proposed as the Highland Council’s priority alongside Broadford Primary on Skye, St Clements special school in Dingwall, and a similar 3-18 overhaul of Nairn Academy.
The Deputy First Minister was yesterday shown around the £12.5million refurbishment and rebuild projects at Inverness High School and Merkinch Primary, before visiting Alness Academy in the afternoon.
The success of the school’s Workforce Academy was hailed, where youngsters are encouraged to undertake modern apprenticeships and courses, alongside volunteering, to best prepare them for life in the working world.
Mr Swinney added: “There is undoubtedly a very clear focus on improving attainment and performance for young people, and that is crucial as it is at the heart of the education system.
“I think it is a really interesting model to be followed here and the extent to which the school is reaching out to engage local employers is something that I would very much encourage as a means of ensuring that young people have a clear visualisation of their educational opportunities.”
Nicky Grant, head teacher of Alness Academy, said: “It’s not just about our young people going to university. We are in a business where we are making sure that our young people are ready to go onto positive destinations.
“If I can ensure that my young people have the skills – that’s the social skills, that’s the work skills – to be the best people to get these jobs, then that is the best market place.”
Donna Manson, chief executive of Highland Council, said she was “hopeful” that Tain would be granted its desired funding, and would eagerly await an announcement in the coming weeks.
