Tornagrain new school proposal to be discussed
Tornagrain could see its first school opened in time for the 2027/ 28 session.
Highland Council has launched a consultation on proposals for a new primary school to serve the growing new town, with that date suggested.
A public meeting is due to be held to discuss the proposals next week.
The consultation began last week and will continue until Friday, November 22.
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Under the proposals the catchment area of Croy Primary School will be altered to create a catchment for the new Tornagrain Primary.
Background papers state: “This proposal is being advanced because on current projections the pupil numbers at Croy Primary School will exceed the school’s capacity within the foreseeable future.”
Croy currently caters for around 119 pupils. Without the creation of a new school at Tornagrain that is projected to rise to just short of 300 by 2037-38.
Croy already has a two-classroom modular unit to add to classroom space, with another expected to be added before next August.
Papers add: “If the new school be constructed, the council would expect the roll of Croy Primary to gradually fall back to the level before the Tornagrain development started.
“The roll projections provide an overwhelming case for the construction of a new school.”
Previous consultations ruled out proposing the closure/ merger of both Croy Primary and Ardersier Primary with a new Tornagrain school.
Of the proposed new school it is stated it would be capable of accommodating a 16-classroom building, though in line with the gradual growth of the wider Tornagrain community it is “likely” to be an eight-classroom school if and when it first opens , with extensions being added “as required”.
Pre-school accommodation would also be provided.
The public meeting will be held at 6.30pm next Tuesday (October 8) at Croy Primary School.
Under the current timetable the council will prepare a report based on matters arising at this meeting and other submitted comments, to be forwarded to Scottish Government executive agency Education Scotland, which will then produce its own report.
This in turn will inform a further consultation report by the council, to be considered by the local authority education committee before its recommendation then goes to full council.
Currently the council intends to publish the consultation report next March, to go to the education committee in May, though it is noted these dates could change depending on issues raised.
“If approved, the proposal will then move to the implementation phase,” background papers state.
“A stakeholder group will be established to act as a formal forum for the dissemination of information relating to this development, and to ensure that there is an effective two-way flow of information between the group and the council, project team and contractor (once appointed).
“The group will also have the opportunity to comment and provide feedback on the council’s proposals in relation to the new school.
“It is anticipated that the requirements of design, planning permission and build will require a further 30-36 months after the conclusion of the statutory consultation process.”
