ABERDEEN City Council has taken a significant step forward in the development of new educational facilities by approving the outline business cases for a state-of-the-art 1,600-capacity secondary school in Hazlehead and a new St Peter’s Roman Catholic School.
The proposed campus, set to be constructed on the current Hazlehead Academy playing fields, has received initial approval in principle from councillors. This development will now move forward to the Council’s annual budget setting process in early 2024, a crucial milestone in realising the vision for enhanced educational infrastructure in the region.
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Councillor Martin Greig, Convener of Education and Children’s Services, expressed enthusiasm about the decisions, stating, “Today’s decisions are a great step forward in improving local schools. Upgrading the school estate right across the city is a key priority for the council. The St Peters School community is very supportive of our plans. The young people will really benefit from the higher standard of classrooms and open spaces. The new Hazlehead Academy will transform the learning experience for Hazlehead pupils.”
The proposed secondary school is designed to serve a new catchment area encompassing Hazlehead and Countesswells associated school groups. This strategic move aligns with the city’s commitment to providing modern and efficient learning environments for its growing student population.
Furthermore, plans for a new St Peter’s Roman Catholic School, located within Old Aberdeen House along with a two-storey extension, have also been approved. Councillor Alex McLellan, Convener of Finance and Resources, highlighted the community’s long-standing request for investment in St Peter’s School and expressed delight in seeing the project move forward. He anticipates the development will bring substantial benefits to students, teaching staff, and the broader school community.
In addition to addressing immediate educational needs, the proposals also have broader implications for the city’s architecture. McLellan noted, “The proposals to bring this Victorian school up to modern standards will also offer wider benefits to our city – it will allow us to test out how we make granite buildings fit for a Net-Zero future.”
The next stages involve incorporating updated plans into the Council’s budget, ensuring the necessary financial backing for these transformative projects. Simultaneously, the results of a public consultation on the Hazlehead proposals will be presented to the Education and Children’s Services committee next summer, reinforcing the council’s commitment to transparent and community-informed decision-making.
