The Education and Children’s Services Committee agreed a draft implementation plan associated with the recommended actions to be undertaken to develop the school estate over the next ten years and beyond.

The first phase of work begins this autumn with a public consultation underway this week on the proposed rezoning of boundary catchment areas for Greenbrae and Glashieburn schools, the preparation of an outline business case for an extension to Bucksburn Academy and a scoping exercise on the review of signage across the city’s schools to ensure accessibility.

Implementation of the plan will continue through until at least 2024 with new projects commencing in Winter 2023 /24 including an outline business case on the provision of secondary education a Bucksburn and Dyce Academies and for the Bridge of Don, Grandhome and Oldmachar communities.

The plan will see all new primary school and all new secondary schools designed with a minimum capacity of 434 and 1,000 respectively, in order to support high quality learning and teaching.

The plan also takes into consideration an expected fall in pupil numbers over the next ten years and a likely reduction in the number of operational schools required. The council will look at the possibility of using any surplus capacity for other purposes benefitting the local community.

As part of the plan’s implementation feasibility studies and stakeholder engagement will also be undertaken with regard to ensuring appropriate and sustainable provision of denominational schools in the city and the accessibility and suitability of Victorian schools.

Committee convener, Councillor Martin Greig, said: “All young people deserve the best possible learning environment. It is good to be at this stage where we now have a realistic timescale for improving school buildings across the city. The tough economic climate makes planning for change more of a challenge. At least there is now a practical way forward to help us raise the standard of the school estate. It is vital to hear from pupils and find out what they think about this review. I would like to encourage them to take part in the online consultation. Their feedback is especially important and is really valued.”

The online consultation on the School Estate Plan, aimed at children and young people, will remain open until 31 December 2022. The findings from this consultation will be reported to the Committee alongside future updates on progress with the implementation of the Plan.