Highlands and Islands MSP, Edward Mountain today challenged the Education Secretary to seriously consider funding to support new school buildings for Culloden Academy, Charleston Academy and Nairn Academy.
During a session of Education Portfolio Questions, Edward Mountain MSP asked: “how many schools in the Highlands and Islands are being considered as part of the next phase of its Learning Estate Investment Programme?”
The Cabinet Secretary for Education replied: “I am pleased that a new Tain 3-18 Campus and a new Castlebay campus in the Highlands and islands were two of the projects to benefit from the first phase of the Learning Estate Investment Programme. The Scottish Government looks forward to continuing with discussions with all local authorities in the coming months regarding which of their projects may be suitable for support through the second phase of the programme, which will be announced in September 2020.
Then Edward Mountain asked: “I too welcome the funding for the Tain Campus, I know the pupils do there as well. I’ve recently visited Culloden Academy, Charleston Academy, Nairn Academy and all secondary schools that I come to are not fit for purpose. Can the Cabinet Secretary confirm he will seriously consider those schools for investment because some of them are close to falling down.
The Cabinet Secretary remarked: “In relation to my visit to Tain Academy, the pupils made a very compelling argument for the refurbishment of their school, including, as we moved into the school library, they handed me an umbrella in case it was raining inside the library which I thought was a very suitable prop. So I am delighted we have taken the decision on Tain. As Mr Mountain knows I am very sympathetic to this issue because I want to see the school estate strengthened”
He continued: “I myself have visited Nairn Academy and I appreciate the issues and challenges in the estate there they face there and as I have said in my answer, I will consider representations from local authorities in the run up to September 2020.”
Following Portfolio Questions, Edward Mountain MSP commented:
“I welcome the investment made in the new Tain Campus and that must be the start of a wider improvement of the Highland Schools estate.
I am now pressing the Highland Council to make representations to the Scottish Government to ensure pupils at Nairn, Culloden and Charleston have the modern school buildings they need and deserve.”