Hope for new Elgin High School
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The secondary is in the worst condition of any school in Moray, rating a lowly D score for its condition and suitability.
Initial estimates puts the cost of the new-build in the region of £14 million.
Allan Wright, Moray Council’s deputy convener, said: "We as a council are now determined that we have a new Elgin High School.
"We will be looking at the capital budget but with a particular focus that we share in a new Elgin school, and this would be high on that priority list.
"The Education Minister told us the school was ‘firmly on his radar’ and we would hold him to that."
Mike Russell, Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, made the comments when the Scottish Cabinet
met in Elgin during the summer.
Councillor Wright added there was a good business case for the building to be replaced, as opposed to major refurbishment being carried out.
It is thought the cost of revamping the secondary would be more than £7 million. If the project is to go ahead the
council will have to contribute 50% of the costs, with match funding coming from Holyrood.
The proposal comes on the back of the Scottish Government’s £60 billion infrastructure investment plan for improvements to road, rail, health, energy and education to be carried out over the next 19 years.
It includes £1.25 billion for the Scotland’s Schools for the Future programme to replace or refurbish at least 55 schools across the country, to be completed in 2018.
Lesley Johnston, chairman of Elgin High parent council, is hoping the match funding will become available for a new building.
She said: "It’s putting the best foot forward. We’re hopeful that the Scottish Government will see the school for what it is.
"The teachers are doing a wonderful job, but how can they deliver the Curriculum for Excellence without the facilities is beyond me."
Mrs Johnston added that discussions have been held with representatives from Moray Council, and the parent council and school would have the opportunity to make comments for a new-build before the bid for funding is submitted early next year.
"I think there are very few schools in the state that Elgin High is in," she said. "Everybody to a man has been supportive, now it’s a case of getting the money."
Earlier this year the parent council invited MSPs from all parties to visit the school, which has over 600 pupils, and see for themselves its poor state. .
The catalogue of problems include leaking roofs, cramped conditions and outdated facilities .
