Pupils move into £42m new Lossie High
Pupils have moved in to their new £42m High School building in Lossiemouth with lessons starting today (Wednesday 14 April) for all.
Following pandemic-related delays, staff and pupils have taken up residence in the new three-storey school, which can accommodate up to 800 pupils, after 42 years in their old building.
The campus, jointly funded by Moray Council and Scottish Futures Trust, incorporates community facilities, a swimming pool, library, games hall and 3G sports pitch in an area the size of Trafalgar Square. Hub North Scotland developed and delivered the project with construction undertaken by Balfour Beatty.
Accommodation in the building is arranged around a central, double-height social and performance space. There are three learning plazas which can be used flexibly as breakout spaces for group work or year groups or, for example, carrying out STEM projects.
Lossiemouth High School Head Teacher, Janice Simpson, said: “As we return fully from lockdown we feel very privileged to be starting the new term in such a beautiful new building. We’ve been given a wonderful environment in which to move forward in our learning and are delighted to be able to welcome pupils back to school and support them as we all settle into our new surroundings.”
Moray Council’s Chief Education Officer, Vivienne Cross said: “The design of flexible teaching and learning spaces will provide a high quality environment that will inspire both staff and young people to achieve their full potential. All teaching spaces are on the outside of the building to maximise the natural light and each department has associated breakout space to allow for flexible learning. Essentially these spaces have been built to embrace new ways of working, which we’ve all had to adapt to over recent months, and will benefit our learners and the wider community in Lossiemouth for many years to come.”
Project Director for hub North Scotland, Ewen Fowlie, said: “This has been a brilliant team effort in the face of some challenging conditions, due to covid-19, to deliver a wonderful facility which will be enjoyed by the Lossiemouth community for years to come.
“Not only has it resulted in a fantastic building, but it also created wider community benefits including 20 new jobs, employment for four new graduates, two new apprentices and 12 existing apprentices along with £23 million of work for Scottish small and medium-sized businesses.”
Project Lead at Balfour Beatty, Jim McCluskie, said: “Despite the challenges we have faced as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have remained focused on the safe and successful delivery of Lossiemouth High School; harnessing our unrivalled knowledge and expertise in delivering first-class learning facilities across Scotland.
“I would like to thank the public for their co-operation and patience whilst we completed this essential project that will service the local community for generations to come. The best of luck to all those joining the school today.”
The next phase of construction will see the demolition of the existing school and community building and completion of new parking, the 3G sports pitch and landscaping. The new community facilities are due to open to user groups on 26 April in-line with Scottish Government Covid-19 restrictions lifting.