Moray Council recommends delaying new Buckie high school behind Elgin High School extension
Plans for Buckie’s new high school could face yet more delays as the wait continues for Elgin High School’s extension to be finalised.
A council report published several options for Buckie’s new school, a number of which recommended councillors wait for Elgin High School’s planned extension.
Other options include the council “do nothing” or have officers borrow more money.
In reaction to the report, Buckie councillor Sonya Warren said the lack of progress on a new school was “beyond being political.”
It comes after hopes of the programme for government unveiling new funding for the school were dashed earlier this week.
‘Three times now it’s been kicked into second place’
Buckie councillor Sonya Warren told the LDRS the recent programme for government announcement “doesn’t change the situation” for Buckie High School.
She said she intends to “hope and pray” the Scottish election next year brings a government that will commit funding for a new school.
Without that extra funding, she doesn’t believe the council is in a position to be able to afford not just a new school, but perhaps even a programme of refurbishment.
Councillor Warren said: “It absolutely has to stay top of the priority list… three times now it’s been kicked into second place.
“It is still one of the worst schools in Moray and one of the worst in Scotland – there are not many worse than it.
“It’s way beyond being political, it’s a vital resource for the east of Moray.”
She added that the school situation was “not a reflection on the teachers” and they were doing a “phenomenal job.”
What is the latest on school proposals?
Moray Council’s learning estate programme manager Andy Hall has prepared a report outlining eight proposals councillors could take forward.
They range from “do nothing” or “delay” going all the way up to borrowing money for the new school.
With Buckie High School at 87.5% capacity, a number of different proposals remain on the table, dependent on funding.
The bare minimum approach the council have suggested would be to refurbish the priority areas of the school with whatever money they have.
Councillor Warren has questioned this approach. She said: “It’s obviously going to be a huge expense whatever.
“The question has to be asked – is it worth spending so much money on repairing and replacing to keep it going instead of doing a new build?”
Buckie could make way for Elgin High extension
Councillors be asked to discuss the future of Buckie High School next week.
A date will also be set for an upcoming community meeting on the school’s future.
The report has made it clear to councillors they should consider postponing making a decision until plans for Elgin High School’s extension are finalised.
The report also says “any significant investment beyond immediate repair and maintenance” should wait until after more Scottish Government funding becomes clearer.
Buckie High School’s last condition report graded it a “C” which is below the minimum “B” standard.
Councillor Warren said more recent investigations moved the school down to a “very low C,” and nearing the lowest tier “D” grading.
Recently announced housing could bring more families to Buckie, adding further stresses for the school.
A petition earlier in the year calling for more investment in the school gathered over 1,000 signatures.
Another report will be prepared for November, with a review on how much funding is required for the Elgin High School extension.
Did the Programme for Government offer anything for a new school?
The hope was further funding from the £2 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) could open up more options for the council.
The Scottish Government referenced “six new school building projects” as part of the LEIP during the programme for government announcement this week.
However, councillor Warren understands this is only a continuation of current school projects elsewhere in Scotland.
The council say there is an “expectation” the government will continue the programme, but how the council would receive said funding remains “uncertain.”
The government’s plan to get the “A-B-Cs of education right” has not directly indicated if more LEIP funding will be made available.
The announcement also included funding towards closing attainment gaps and hiring more teachers.
