Pupils will not get into the new Ness Castle primary school until the end of February, Highland Council has announced.
Speaking at today’s meeting of housing and property committee, facilities boss Finlay MacDonald said construction problems had resulted in further delays.
The school was initially slated for completion in August and pushed back twice to October then January 2023.
Now, handover will happen this December and the school will need some time to be ready to open to pupils. As a result, move-in day is delayed until February 27, after the mid-term break.
Currently, Ness Castle pupils are learning at nearby Holm primary school.
Mr MacDonald said Highland Council will notify local parents by letter today.
The news formed part of a gloomy update on the council’s property capital report.
It reiterated the escalating costs of capital builds and provided updates on various schools in the current programme.
Council considering new Thurso High School
A new concern is Thurso High School, which was forced to partially close last month.
Council engineers visited the school and became concerned about the structural integrity of teaching block A. Mr MacDonald told members today there was corrosion to the structural reinforcement of the concrete frame. This led to water ingress and quick deterioration.
Highland Council says it has no concerns about other buildings in the school, having undertaken a thorough inspection.
For the time being, the council is adding modular accommodation to replace the block.
Going forward, Mr MacDonald said members will need to decide whether to fund a refurbishment or a replacement for the 1960s school. This could involve a potential bid to the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP).
Thurso councillor Karl Rosie pressed for council to be ambitious, venting his “frustration” with progress to date.
“The research and evidence is clear,” he said. “Well designed buildings and pleasant surroundings can lead to better attainment and concentration, as well as motivation and self-esteem.
“The importance of good school environments is obvious to everyone.”
Councillor tells colleagues they need to work together
However, Mr Rosie said he was “disappointed” with his Thurso colleagues for sounding out the issues in the press. Mr Rosie highlighted that he had long pushed for a new school in Thurso, while other members felt it was not necessary.
He called on councillors Matthew Reiss, Ron Gunn and Struan Mackie to work with him and external partners to deliver a new school.
“We’ve got to work our socks off in finding solutions here,” said Mr Rosie. “The opportunity is there to work in partnership. We have to be innovative in examining what possibilities there are, including in the private sector.
“This is a plea to my ward colleagues to take a different approach. Let’s get together and start working on that now.”
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