Future of Buckie High School debated by Moray Council

The Future Buckie High School project was developed to tackle known issues with the current building and to provide a modern, reliable school for the community that is affordable. However, due to affordability challenges following the setting of the council’s Learning Estate programme’s capital budget, a new school building is currently not affordable.

Moray Council has agreed to progress work to ensure essential repairs and maintenance to Buckie High School can progress in preparation for more significant work if there is the possibility of future funding. External funding has been essential to all previous school replacement projects and major refurbishments and possible support from the Scottish Government through the Learning Estate Investment Programme, or similar funding, will be critical should this become available.

Any future investment decisions for Buckie High School will be made once the outcome of the ongoing review of Elgin High School’s capacity expansion needs is known.

The council is considering alternative options to a new build, including full refurbishment or hybrid options that will address the most critical areas of the current building. Alternative options, estimated to cost around £51 million, would upgrade the school to a minimum B condition standard without the need for a full rebuild, maintaining the school as an effective educational setting. However, even these scaled-down options face affordability challenges that still need to be resolved.

The Learning Estate team will continue to investigate affordable phased design options, explore other funding opportunities, and make sure the project is ready to proceed if new Scottish Government funding becomes available. They will also continue to determine what improvements can realistically be delivered in the short-to-medium term.

Chair of Moray Council’s Education, Children’s and Leisure Services Committee, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, said: “Moray Council is continuing its efforts to improve educational facilities in Buckie and ensure a long-term future for Buckie High School. While financial pressures impact on major investment, our focus is on ensuring the school continues to provide a safe and supportive learning environment. We’re currently exploring all available options and funding opportunities to deliver the improvements needed.”

A community meeting is being planned to keep residents, pupils, families and staff in Buckie informed and engaged as part of the ongoing decision process.

A further update will be presented to the committee in November 2025, outlining progress on agreed actions and any developments in the wider funding landscape.