The first ground has been broken on what is being hailed as a huge step in transforming education in the north-east.
Work has now officially begun on the £55 million Inverurie Community Campus, after a sod-cutting ceremony led by Provost Bill Howatson.
The new school, which is being built by Robertson Group, will have room for 1,600 pupils and will provide a range of amenities for the wider community – including outdoor pitches and a health centre.
St Andrew’s School, for youngsters with additional support needs, will also be on the site.
The project follows the opening of the town’s new Uryside School last year.
Provost Howatson said he was delighted to be a part of such an important event for the region.
“This is a major investment in the heart of Aberdeenshire,” he said.
“This will be a state of the art contribution for education for staff and pupils and a landmark in our new building programme.
“We have a policy of investing in education and it’s right and proper that we are doing this in Inverurie.”
The three-storey facility will also have outdoor and indoor pitches, a six lane swimming pool and a health centre.
Education convener Gillian Owen added: “Young people are the future and it’s important that we invest in that.
“The brand new school in Ellon, where I’m from, has had a huge impact on education and I’m sure everyone will be delighted to see it open.”
Robertson Group said the project was one of the largest it had been involved with in the north-east.
Chief executive Derek Shewan said: “I think being a north-east business, which is now UK-wide, it’s great to come back here and be involved in a project that’s going to bring value to the community forever.
“In the short-term it will being opportunity in terms of jobs but in the long-term it’s going to have a massive impact on education.”
Now work has begun, the next major stage will be the construction of the steel structure which will take shape in July and August.
The school is expected to be finished by 2020.