The keys to the new school were handed over on Wednesday 1 March by contractor Morrison Construction Building North East which delivered the project for the council along with Hub North Scotland architects Halliday Fraser Munro.

It will serve the new Countesswells community on the western outskirts of Aberdeen where more than 600 homes have already been built. During construction, Countesswells pupils have been located at the former Hazlewood School in the city.

Councillor Martin Greig, Aberdeen City Council’s Education and Children’s Services convener, said: “I am delighted that we have now taken ownership of the new Countesswells School and can now begin the process of fitting out the state-of-the-art building which will be able to accommodate 434 pupils and a further 60 Early Learning and Childcare places.

“The school will also promote health and wellbeing via outdoor learning facilities and a 3G all-weather pitch.

“The new school will not only benefit children and families but the wider community allowing for after school access to designated facilities.”

Vice-convener, Councillor Jessica Mennie, said: “It’s fantastic that we have been able to complete construction work so quickly and can proceed with getting in place the wonderful facilities that will be a focus for the entire new Countesswells community.”

Ewen Fowlie, operations director for Hub North Scotland, said the fact the school had been delivered ahead of schedule and defect-free was a testimony to the efforts of the project team, particularly Morrison and its sub-contractors.

He added: “Countesswells Primary School is a fantastic facility for this new and growing community. It is a wonderful building which has been completed to a very high standard and will provide the best possible learning setting for generations to come.”

Mike Bruce, managing director of Morrison Construction Building North East, commented: “We are delighted with the early completion of Countesswells Primary School, ensuring that its new pupils can start learning within their community sooner rather than travelling into the city.

“Our tried and trusted delivery approach leaves behind a fantastic high quality and energy efficient building with almost 90% of the works being completed by directly employed Morrison tradesmen or via our local supply chain.”

Countesswells is the first of two new primary schools being delivered for Aberdeen City Council by Hub North Scotland with Morrison as main contractor. The new Torry Primary School and Community Hub is currently under construction and due to be completed later this year.