Plans drawn up in case new Ness Castle PS not ready after summer holidays
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COVID has hit progress on the new Ness Castle Primary School and it may not be ready for the start of term in August as hoped.
There may even be a possibility that the new pupils will start the term at another school more than a mile away.
Ness Castle is due to be handed over in July but parents and carers of the school and those of Holm Primary have been told there is a risk of delay.
Highland Council said: “Progress has been affected by a number of factors with the result that the works are currently four weeks behind schedule.
"The impact of the pandemic has been the main contributory factor and continues to have an adverse effect.
“While all possible measures to improve on this situation are being put in place, there is clearly a risk that the new building may not be fully complete and ready for occupation at the start of the new school session in August. However the contractor Kier Construction will be making every effort to meet this deadline."
Council officers and the head teachers from both Holm and Ness Castle schools have been discussing contingency arrangements that could be put in place in the event of the August date not being achieved.
The priorities are to ensure that the best option for children and families is implemented, and minimise disruption during the school session with the fewest possible transitions for pupils.
The council added: “It has been agreed that the clearly preferred contingency plan would be to establish the new Ness Castle school at the Holm campus from August, using a combination of available classrooms and additional, good quality, modular classroom units, if required.
“The contingency plan is based on the new school building being operational from the start of the new term after the October holidays – this is considered a worst case scenario at this time.
“The council’s project team are continuing to closely monitor progress on the new build with the contractor and will provide regular updates to the stakeholder group, which includes parent council representatives from both schools. Head teachers will also continue to ensure that the wider school community is kept updated.”
