Preparatory work on the new school began in October and Wednesday’s ceremony, attended by Aberdeen City Council’s educational operational delivery convener, Councillor M Tauqeer Malik, vice-convener Claire Imrie, gave future pupils the opportunity to visit the site of their new school for the first time.

The new primary school and nursery is due for completion in 2023 and will serve the growing Countesswells community.

Councillor Malik said: “This is a proud day for me to perform today’s sod-cutting ceremony. The delivery of Countesswells Primary School will help to grow Aberdeen as a city of learning that will empower local residents to put lifelong learning at the heart of the community.

“The new school, once built, will provide a two-stream primary school with a capacity for 434 pupils, Early Learning & Childcare provision for 60 pupils a 3G 7 a-side-pitch and external outdoor play and learning spaces.”

He added: “Countesswells Primary School will provide the potential for enabling people to learn and develop themselves in ways that meet their needs, interests and ambitions.

“I am confident the creation of Countesswells Primary School presents an exciting opportunity to design education provision into the fabric of the place, recognising the central role which schools and learning play in the life of our communities.” 

Councillor Imrie said: “This is the first step towards building a school and nursery that will create social cohesion in the rapidly growing Countesswells community as well as providing first-class facilities for young pupils and pre-school children alike.

“Countesswells Primary is one of a number of schools as well as community hubs the council is delivering across the city. We are committed to providing much-needed homes, including affordable units, as well as supporting infrastructure. 

“We’re certain the school will be enjoyed by young learners and the wider Countesswells community for many years to come.” 

Preparatory work at the school, situated in the area north of Countesswells overlooking Cults Burn Park sees the creation of vehicle access and boundary fencing.

hub North Scotland are the council’s development and delivery partner for the school.

Project director, Peter Ramsay, said: “This is a key moment for the new Countesswells community and we are looking forward to delivering a fantastic school which will be enjoyed by families for generations to come.”

Colin Milne, project director for Morrison Construction North East, added: “We are delighted to be underway on this much-needed school for local children. We have a strong track record in providing high quality educational facilities in partnership with both hub North Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council and we look forward to building on that here at Countesswells together with Aberdeen City Council.”

A spokesperson for Countesswells Development Limited, said: “We welcome this significant milestone in the delivery of the much-anticipated primary school at Countesswells.

“It’s an important element of the social and physical infrastructure of the growing community which benefits from award-winning infrastructure including extensive landscaping, ultra-fast broadband provision and road improvements.”

Pupils living in Countesswells – where 600 new houses have been built so far – are currently being taught in the former Hazlewood School.