Approval given for first phase of future Buckie High School project
Moray Council has approved the next step in the Future Buckie High School project, agreeing to progress the refurbishment of the Additional Support Needs (ASN) and canteen building as the first phase of the wider school improvement plans.
The first phase will include refurbishing the ASN and canteen building and relocating the dining and kitchen facilities, addressing the growing need for more ASN places.
The Council will now ask the Scottish Government to approve the transfer of Learning Estate Investment Programme Phase 2 funding from the Elgin High School project, which is no longer required, to support this work at Buckie High School.
Design and planning work will also continue for future phases of the Buckie High School project, including longer-term refurbishment and new-build options. However, decisions on major investment for later phases will stay on hold until there is more clarity on future Scottish Government learning estate funding.
Further updates will be provided once the next round of Scottish Government Learning Estate funding is confirmed with community engagement also taking place at that point.
Chair of Moray Council’s Education, Children’s and Leisure Services committee, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, said: “We know how important Buckie High School is to pupils, families, staff and the wider community. While we’d all like to see the full long-term vision delivered as quickly as possible, the reality is that the wider project is not affordable within the Council’s current capital plan.
“That’s why we’re taking a sustainable, phased approach. By starting with the ASN and canteen building, we can make progress with the highest identified need, improve facilities for pupils and staff and keep working towards the wider improvements we all want to see for Buckie High School.”