SCHOOLS across Inverness could be in line for a shakeup, amid fears that rising pupil numbers and cramped buildings are putting youngsters’ education at risk.
Councillors agreed yesterday to hold a wide-ranging review of primary provision in the city after being told the fast-expanding population was taking existing schools close to capacity.
However, officials have also been asked to extend the process to examine secondaries as well.
The demands were led by Independent councillor Margaret Davidson, who singled out Charleston Academy and Inverness High School as two sites in need of a drastic revamp to help cope with current demand.
The pair are among the smaller senior schools in the city, with rolls of 776 and 401 respectively.
Mrs Davidson told colleagues on the education committee: “Charleston Academy has not been fit for purpose. Many of the classrooms are too small and the corridors are not up to standard.
“Inverness High School is another which needs a full overhaul. There’s still a place for the big high schools like Millburn and the Royal Academy, but this is another option which needs exploring.”
And she said she was amazed that primaries in Inverness were managing to produce good results in sub-standard accommodation.
“Every time I drive past Central Primary I must admit I think, good god, how many more extensions can they fit on there?,” she said.
“It is to the credit of staff and pupils at the school that Central continues to have a high level of attainment despite these issues.”
Councillors heard yesterday that a number of schools in the Highland capital are close to capacity because of reductions in class sizes and a rising population across the city.
The demand for places means a new primary at Ness Castle and a second Gaelic-medium primary are being considered as potential solutions.
The rolls at certain city schools could also be capped if demand continues to outstrip spaces.
Council education boss Bill Alexander told the committee that the authority could not “maintain our current position for the long-term”.
Other solutions being mooted are the use of general purpose areas as stand-in classrooms, or extensions to struggling primary buildings.
Milton of Leys Primary opened in 2011 with the aim of easing overcrowding problems at Inshes Primary.
However, the new building has already acquired an extension, with three extra classrooms built to deal with the expanding roll.
Some classes have had to be taught in the school library to cope with demand.
Pressures have been exacerbated by extensive house-building in the south of the city in the past decade, with a rapid influx of families to the area.
The council has been forced into extending a number of new primaries in recent years following dramatic increases in pupil numbers.
Councillor Ken Gowans said: “At the moment these general purpose areas serve a use in schools.
“If we are using them for teaching then surely that is just removing facilities from the schools, which I think we should be avoiding.”
The proposals will be a further discussed at the City of Inverness area committee next month.
Committee chairman Alasdair Christie previously said: “We’re seeing massive pressure for places in certain parts of Inverness.”
He said adding on extra classrooms wasn’t always the best answer because it didn’t take account of non-teaching space such as dining halls and toilets.
“We’ve got to consider the overall package and that’s what we will do,” he said.