Official opening of the Highland’s most rural mainland school
PHOTOS FROM THE SCHOOL
School opening brochure.pdf
The only primary school in Scotland to incorporate a community fire station was officially opened today (Friday 21 June) as guests joined staff and pupils at Lochaline Primary in Movern to celebrate the first year of education in their new school.
The 23 pupil school is situated in a spectacular setting 40 miles and a ferry crossing south west of Fort William and has been designed to make the most of the stunning views across the Sound of Mull.
Former local Highland Councillor, Dr Michael Foxley took part in the school’s turf cutting ceremony in 2011. Today he returned as guest of honour. After pupils had taken him on a tour of their school and before unveiling a commemorative plaque he said: “I’m delighted to be here today to join the pupils and celebrate a full year of education in their new school. Over the past decade, their parents, the school staff, the community and the Council have really worked hard and pulled together to ensure that this splendid new community school was built. We are all proud that the inclusion of the fire station is a first for mainland Scotland and I think demonstrates well the way forward for shared services in the Highlands.”
The £3m school was designed and project managed in-house by The Highland Council’s Housing and Property Service and the building work was carried out by MacGregor Construction (Highland) Ltd.
The school is built on the site of the previous school building. During building works, evidence of two protected species, slow-worms and bats, were found. Pupils helped to capture the slow-worms which were moved to another area of ground and a bat licence was obtained to relocate the nests.
Lochaline Primary is of a high sustainability standard with 2 classrooms, a resources area, a community room and a new kitchen. The nursery unit has been upgraded and the old school hall converted into a dining/gym hall. Within the grounds there is a floodlit multi use games area which is available for school and community use.
Luckily during today’s ceremony there were no emergency call outs as Head Teacher of the 25 pupils school Keith Adams is also one of the area’s retained firemen.
He said: “The whole community has waited a long time for this and now we have this fantastic building. It provides space and resources to allow our committed and skilled team of staff, parents and outside agencies to support and challenge the children, so that they are able to achieve and succeed in their learning.
“The building is also an important resource for the wider community and local groups are making good use of it. Having the Fire Station incorporated into the building makes us quite unique and gives certainly means I have no excuse for being late for a fire call out!”
Chair of the Parent Council Sarah Jones who is also a reserve with the fire service said: "It is a privilege to be part of such an amazing school. The new facilities are perfect for learning and our children enjoy a fresh, new environment in which to grow and develop.
"The staff and pupils have worked hard to make the school a relaxed and welcoming centre for all. We all look forward to the coming years when we can further enjoy and grow with this great resource."