Dunvegan Primary School

Urgent repairs are being made to the Dunvegan Primary School. Following on from heavy rainfall, groundwater is entering a disused basement plant room at the school. The local maintenance team is organising for the water to be pumped out of the basement and the area will then dried out. Surrounding land drainage will be checked and repaired if found necessary. Arrangements will be made to permanently fill in the disused basement area. Pupils have not been affected and  a dehumidifier has been placed in the classroom as a precaution.

Dunvegan was listed as one of the Council’s priorities for bidding to Scottish Government for funding.  We still await an announcement from Scottish Government about future schools capital funding.  The Council has progressed discussions with the community, and developed and discussed outline plans with them so the Council can be in a position to make a positive funding bid when the opportunity arises.

In the interim, pupil safety is a priority and any essential health and safety works will of course be addressed.

Chair of the Care and learning and Housing Committee, Cllr Andrew baxter said: "We've put a very strong case to the Scottish Government as to why the Highlands should be treated differently when it comes to funding for our schools. This is because of our high number of small schools, many in remote areas, that cost the council much more to maintain compared to elsewhere in Scotland.

"The problems faced by pupils, staff and parents in Dunvegan demonstrates why we need additional support."

Leader of the Highland Council Margaret Davidson thanked the local team for their quick actions to address the problem at Dunvegan. She added: “ The needs at Dunvegan will be taken into account together with all the many other schools across Highland.”

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