Inverness, Beauly and Fortrose school builds approved
Through the Highland Investment Plan a new generation of community facilities is being planned across the Highland Council area, changing the way council services are delivered through a new way of operating across the partnership.
The Highland Investment Plan (HIP) confirms phase one of its capital funding allocation to enable a new school for Beauly Primary, and extensive refurbishment projects at Fortrose Academy, Charleston Academy, and Inverness High School.
Approval for the allocation of funding for the first phase of proposed projects for 2024/25 to 2029/30, which will help improve local public facilities and sustain local communities was agreed at the meeting of The Highland Council on 27 March 2025.
Housing & Property Committee Chair, Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair said: “At the meeting of The Highland Council on Thursday 27 March 2025, Members agreed capital funding allocation for phase one of the Highland Investment Plan (HIP) for developing its Learning Estate.
“The Highland Investment Plan is helping to tackle major capital challenges to deliver new schools and extension/refurbishment programmes to our ageing Learning Estate. The capital funding allocation agreed for prioritised phase one projects includes Beauly Primary, Charleston Academy, Fortrose Academy and Inverness High School. The HIP sits alongside the ongoing new school build for Tornagrain Primary school and replacement schools at Tain Campus and Nairn Academy supported by Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP). These projects are area specific and part of a wider pan Highland commitment to continue to develop and improve the learning environments for our young people, staff and wider community.”
Education Committee Chair, Cllr John Finlayson added: “The Highland Investment Plan will see much needed improvements to our operational school estate which over time will support bringing the ageing school estate to a standard that will best support the educational needs of all our young people.
“As Councillors who represent both our own Wards and also the wider Highland community, we are confident that the HIP delivered with phased methodology offers real tangible improvements for our young people and staff that will substantially improve their learning environments.”
The Council’s Learning Estate Strategy (LES) aligns with the local priorities set out within the Highland Investment Plan (HIP) vision for developing the Highland learning estate. The Learning Estate Strategy provides the vision and methodology for creating spaces that will enhance and sustain communities across the Highlands. It will support children and young people through their learning journey from early years through to primary and secondary education, including delivering for Additional Support Needs and enhanced provisions to meet the needs of all learners. This is not only important to equip our young people with skills for life and work, but also to develop the workforce for the future to grow the Highland economy and sustain our communities across the whole Council area.
The full report can be accessed here (Item 5).