Moray Council successful in funding bid for Forres Academy
Moray Council has welcomed today’s announcement from the Scottish Government that its bid for investment in Forres Academy has been successful.
The Moray secondary school has been selected for the third phase of funding as part of the £2 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP). The programme is jointly funded by Scottish and Local Government and will aim to see the new build school open to pupils by August 2027.
Moray Council initially put forward bids for both Forres Academy and Buckie High School. While a replacement for Buckie High School hasn’t been successful on this occasion, Moray Council has reassured that it will progress the work surrounding the project.
Moray Council Leader and chair of the Education, Children’s and Leisure Services Committee, Councillor Kathleen Robertson, said: “We’re delighted to have been given the go-ahead to accelerate our improvement plan for Forres Academy as we know the condition of the school has been a source of concern for some time. The discovery of RAAC earlier this year only heightened the need for a replacement.
“Engagement has already begun with with pupils, parents and carers, school staff, communities and partners, with a well-attended drop-in session just last week in Forres Library. This work will continue to develop the learning, teaching and social spaces of the schools of the future, with opportunities throughout the projects for people to inform the design and use of the new facility.
“While it’s disappointing that the funding bid for Buckie High School has not progressed at this stage we’re committed to progressing with the project and will know more about what that looks like in the new year.
“All Moray’s young people should have access to high-quality, up-to-date learning facilities that we can all be proud of, and as a council we are committed to achieving a learning estate which supports excellence and equity for all.”
A Strategic Outline Case setting out preferred sites and infrastructure options has been developed for the Forres Academy project in line with the LEIP programme designed to improve the condition of the school estate by delivering digitally enabled, low-carbon schools and campuses which are inclusive and welcoming places that meet the needs of the whole community.
The LEIP funding model is based on the local authority providing the capital funding for the project, with revenue payments made by the Scottish Government over a 25-year period on evidence of the achievement of the agreed outcomes.
Consultation on the future Forres Academy build will continue over the next 3 months. Future updates and information can be found on the council website here.