Thirty five people attend drop-in at Forres Library about Moray’s school estate

AROUND 35 people attended a drop-in at Forres Library focused on improving Moray’s school estate.

Moray Council has launched a learning strategy to develop solutions to 25 primary and six secondary school buildings that fall below standards required by the Scottish Government - 53 per cent of pupils in the region are learning in sub-standard premises.

Information was distributed to parents, community groups, local businesses and teaching staff. Local authority engagement officer Ryan Bell and community support officer Jane Martin were also on hand to answer questions.

Andrew Hall is the senior project manager for the learning estate strategy.

He said: “Importance was placed on the potential for increased community use of school buildings.

“Visitors would also like to see a new high school built in Forres with sporting facilities. Importance was also placed on outdoor learning in early learning childcare settings.

“Other points people raised included ASN (additional support needs) and nursery provision.”

Initial focus of the school estate review is on Forres, Elgin and Buckie where extra school places are needed.

Mr Hall said: “The Forres Associated School Group (ASG) is expected to experience growth in the east of the town between now and 2035.

“Forres Academy is not predicted to have capacity issues but we are reviewing the impact of expected increase in ASN capacity requirements over the next few years. The Learning Estate Strategic Approach makes reference to Kinloss and Pilmuir Primary Schools. A recent review of the school roll forecast shows Kinloss’ capacity is expected to be at or below 80 per cent for the next decade. No extension of Pilmuir is planned but a condition survey will be completed within the next six months to identify requirements.”

Another priority is schools with significant maintenance issues. Proposals will be developed for each area and engagement with communities will play a part.

In 2013, the council commissioned consultants to look at education. Their report recommended closing or merging up to 10 small primary schools and building two large new ones – the first near Buckie and another in south west Forres. The proposals were not adopted and a five-year freeze on the question of shutting any was introduced instead.

Scottish Government figures from September 2020 rated the condition of Moray’s school buildings as the worst of all 32 local authorities. Only three of 53 buildings were classed as in ‘good’ condition, while more than half were ‘poor’.

Full condition surveys of all Moray schools are being carried out over the next 12-18 months to identify upgrade works and prioritise projects.

Mr Hall said: “Lifetime maintenance plans will be developed to ensure they are maintained at a minimum B standard. A 10-year investment of £100M is planned to achieve this.”

Delivery of the programme is dependent on Scottish Government Learning Estate Improvement Programme funding which Moray Council is bidding for.

Mr Hall finished: “Dependent on the outcome of the bid, the learning estate team will work closely with both the Forres ASG communities on the development of future school designs in due course.

“These are purely outline options to secure funding - no decisions have been made yet.”

The local authority aims to bring all Moray schools up to B for condition and suitability in 2022/23.

Works include: roof covering replacement at Pilmuir Primary; drainage, mechanical and electrical works at Forres Academy; drainage at Applegrove Primary; drainage, mechanical and electrical works at Anderson’s Primary; and heating and pipework upgrade at Kinloss Primary.

To read the ‘Strategic Approach to Moray’s Learning Estate’ document, visit http://www.moray.gov.uk/downloads/file138404.pdf