Plea for new school to replace 'shanty town'
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Alison Footitt, of the Nairn Academy Parent Council, said the building was in a desperate state of repair, with buckets collecting rain water in classrooms, and very poor insulation.
She said: "The design does not allow for adequate space in the corridors or social areas and there is asbestos in the fabric of the building.
"It is not an environment conducive to learning and is a building in need of replacement.
"We have contacted Highland Council councillors and have recently conducted a survey of school pupils, staff, ex-pupils, parents and people in the local community."
The majority of pupils completed the survey, which concluded that 53 per cent of pupils found the learning environment to be satisfactory, and 47 per cent for it to be poor. Classrooms were rated as poor by 71 per cent.
The social and canteen areas were rated as poor by 76 per cent while the ease of movement within the buildings was rated as poor by 94 per cent.
None of the four aspects considered were rated good or excellent by any class responding.
For parents, ex pupils and others in the community, 89 per cent of respondents did not believe the main building was in good condition and 79 per cent did not believe the main building offered a good learning environment.
The same number did not believe the main building offered a healthy place to learn and work while 81 per cent did not believe the school had sufficient indoor social space for pupils.
Some 84 per cent did not believe there was sufficient investment in the Nairn Academy facilities, and 90 per cent believed the investment to build a new academy by 2020 would be justified.
Ms Footitt added: "One comment sums things up: ‘I have worked in four schools during my teaching career and visited many others. This is without doubt the worst school building I have encountered anywhere in Scotland. In some respects it is like a third-world shanty town.
"‘It is difficult to quantify just how far removed from a modern 21st century learning environment this school building offers. My mood is affected by the lack of light, the depressing and shabby walls and the full range of environmental problems noted elsewhere.
"‘The only thing to counter the negative effect on mood are the great young people and colleagues, all of whom make the most of a very bad situation and approach learning in a very positive way. Given the comparisons I can make with numerous other school buildings it is a marvel that such a positive mind-set still exists here’."
The council is currently reviewing its capital programme, the outcome of which should confirm a capital investment plan for the next five years.
A local authority spokeswoman said investment in Nairn Academy, and other Highland schools, was being considered as part of that process.
