Parents and carers last night attended a drop-in event to meet with local council representatives and planners to discuss the progress of a new Aberdeenshire school.
Organisers of the event hoped to provide information on the progress of the replacement amenity for the existing Kinellar Primary.
Aberdeenshire Council had already been planning to rebuild the school before it was damaged by a blaze on New Year’s Day.
Members approved the option to create the new facility on the existing site and officers have been working with architects Halliday Fraser Munro to develop the design.
Parents were able to discuss the plans laid out with a spokesman from the architects and teachers were on hand to discuss transport arrangements during the construction process.
While the building is carried out, pupils would be educated at Midmill School, in Kintore, from January 2017 until the new primary school was completed for the summer term of 2018.
The mother of a P7 student, Faye-Marie Adams, said: “I didn’t make it to the last meeting, so it has been great to come along tonight and get some insight.
“I am also happy to see that thought has been put into transport arrangements which is reassuring me that my daughter [Samantha] will be looked after, alongside her friends, on the bus route.”
However, couple Blair and Lynwen Pirie said they had concerns after moving to the area three years ago, purposely so they could walk their two daughters to school in the future.
Mrs Pirie said: “I’m not happy putting my daughter on a bus on her first day of school. It’s different when they’re a little older and know people, but now I will have to drive my daughter, despite purposely moving here from the Bridge of Don because of the school.”
John Halliday, chief executive of Halliday Fraser Munro, said: “We are delighted to be working with Aberdeenshire Council in showcasing initial designs for a new replacement primary school at Kinellar.
“After the recent fire caused so much devastation, we are very proud to be able to create a new school that will bring a positive influence to the local community.”