A £63million vision for the future of education in the north-east’s biggest town was unveiled last night.
Three new schools – including a long-awaited replacement academy – could be built in Peterhead, along with new sports facilities.
The community campus would be built either on the site of the existing secondary school, or on the outskirts of the town.
Last night, local residents got their first chance to see the plans.
Craig Clement, Aberdeenshire Council’s head of resources, said the project was a “priority”.
“We’ve done some work already,” he said. “We’ve visited other schools in Aberdeenshire and outwith.
“In an ideal situation we want an integrated community campus.
“If we get the design right there are huge and exciting opportunities – we need to maximise every square foot.”
As part of the project, primary school capacity in the town would be increased. Depending on the final location of the campus, this could mean the construction of one or two new schools.
Two preferred sites have been identified for the development – Queen Street, or on land near Clerkhill and Meethill.
If the council opt for the current site, the new school would be built around it in a phased construction. Sports facilities would then be built at nearby Catto and Barclay Parks.
Alternatively, a new school and sports facilities could be combined on the outskirts of the town to the west the Clerkhill and Meethill neighbourhoods.
This second site would have space for nursery, primary and secondary education as well as community and leisure facilities.
The scheme would match community campuses built on the outskirts of Ellon and Alford.
The existing academy would be torn down and replaced with a new nursery and primary, alleviating overcrowding in nearby Buchanhaven and Central schools.
In total the new project will provide 1,300 secondary school places, 350 primary places and pre-school provision.
Central School head teacher Christian Henderson welcomed the proposals last night.
“We don’t know what technology our children will be using in 20 years time so we need to be flexible,” she said. “No one had heard of an iPad when I started as a teacher.
“We have a real influence on the opportunities our children need – this is an opportunity to start doing that.”
Local SNP councillor Lenny Pirie, a member of Aberdeenshire’s education committee, said: “It’s very important the public is consulted – we’ve got to look at all the options.
“Personally I’d like to see the sports facilities at the new academy. We’ve been to Ellon, Banchory and Brechin and I was really impressed with the sports facilities.
“It needs to be for the use of the whole community.”
And independent Peterhead councillor Alan Buchan added: “What they did at Alford was build an academy and primary school together. I wasn’t in favour of that.
“I want a new purpose-built primary school to combine Buchanhaven and Central.”
Members of the public can comment on the options until the end of this year. A consultation report will then be presented to councillors who will choose a preferred site.
