Council reflects on success of school works over summer

Now all Highland schools are back in session, The Highland Council’s Care and Learning Service will be reflecting on the success of their summer works programme carried out in various primary and secondary schools while reviewing the projects which did have problems.

A total of 33 projects were under taken with a budget of almost £3 million which included roofing works; Additional Support Needs works; nursery and toilet refurbishments; kitchen alterations; classroom alterations; flooring and decoration; and car park resurfacing with only a small number not being completed on time for reasons out with the service’s control.

Cllr Drew Millar, Chair of the Council’s Education, Children and Adult Services Committee said:

“Lots of Highland schools have benefited from refurbishment work over the holidays, and thousands of children have returned this term to improved environments. I shall be updating my fellow Councillors at next week’s committee meeting with many good news stories such as reopening of Inverness Leisure ahead of schedule and sharing information on the problems the service has faced.

“I would like to thank all our staff for the work they have had to do over the summer and in particular in the past two weeks to ensure our children were returning to safe environments in which they could learn.”

Highland Council Leader, Cllr Margaret Davidson added:

“We carry out the refurbishment work during the holiday periods in our schools to provide the best possible facilities for our children and staff with the least possible disruption to schooling.

“This summer we have carried out an ambitious programme of works with excellent results. On top of this we have opened a fantastic state of the art community school - Inverness Royal Academy - which will enhance the quality teaching and learning for all ages.”