‘Worst-case scenario’ now the likely reality at new Highland primary

By Garrett Stell

July 19 2022, 5:00 pm

Highland Council first warned in March that Ness Castle Primary School might not be ready until October. Pictures by Jason Hedges

A delay in construction means that Ness Castle pupils are facing the ‘worst-case scenario’ for the start of the school year.

Inverness’s newest primary school was meant to be ready by the time Highland Schools reopen on August 16.

But now, with just a month before the school year, stakeholders have been told that October is the most likely date.

Ness Castle pupils will instead begin the year in temporary units on Holm Primary campus, according to the chairman of the Holm Community Council.

Education bosses were first warned about a potential delay in March.

However, this confirmation comes only weeks after the council wrote to parents at schools where other projects are threatened by costs that are skyrocketing.

‘Worst case’ is now the most likely

Back in March, there was still hope for an August opening. At the time, Highland Council wrote to parents to say that construction had been delayed by four weeks, putting the August date in jeopardy.

As a backup plan, Ness Castle pupils would start the year on Holm’s campus, using a combination of modular units and available classrooms on campus.

“The contingency plan is based on the new school building being operational from the start of the new term after the October holidays,” the letter to parents said. “This is considered a worst case scenario at this time.”

There were concerns at the time that housing all the pupils on Holm’s campus – even temporarily – would cause overcrowding.

Council records from the most recent school year predicted that Holm would reach capacity in the 2022/2023 school year. It’s enrolment could double in the next decade, without Ness Castle to relieve the pressure.

October opening on the table

But parents and staff may need to prepare for a tight squeeze at Holm come August 16.

Murray McCheyne, chairman of the Holm Community Council, said that last month’s stakeholders meeting confirmed the delays. October is now the targeted opening date, he said.

“The school won’t be open in August,” he said. “There will be a dual campus arrangement for Ness Castle and Holm Primary children and that will carry on until October.”

Pupils would begin the year at Holm. After the midterm holidays on Oct 21, they should be able to move into Ness Castle.

Highland Council has been approached for comment.

Ness Castle the first of many delays?

The delay at Ness Castle is perhaps the first casualty of the current strain on construction projects in Highland Council. The council recently wrote to parents about rising costs that are threatening to impact projects.

The war in Ukraine, inflation and the lingering economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic have all been cited as contributing factors.

While they stopped short of announcing delays for any specific projects, the letters were sent to parents at schools where ambitious rebuilds or renovations are planned:

Tain 3-18 Campus, Tain
Nairn Academy, Nairn
Broadford Primary School, Skye
St Clement’s, Dingwall
Park Primary School, Inverness
Dunvegan Primary School, Skye
Beauly Primary School, Beauly
Culloden Academy, Inverness
Charleston Academy, Inverness

In the letter, the council vowed to “ensure the planned works can still be delivered to a high standard”, despite the fact that the price of raw materials in the UK could treble this year.