The North Schools Programme is a unique collaboration between the local authorities and hub North Scotland to work together to deliver new learning estate. This partnership will bring substantial financial, economic and social impact benefits for all the local authorities involved.

The projects are:

    • A replacement 1600-pupil Hazelhead Campus for Aberdeen City Council
    • A replacement 1120-place Forres Academy for Moray Council
    • A replacement 388-place Brae Campus for Shetland islands Council
    • A replacement 298-place Mull 2-18 Campus for Argyll and Bute Council
    • A refurbished and extended 434-place St Peter’s Roman Catholic School for Aberdeen City Council

Robertson Group will work on the new Hazelhead Campus and the refurbished and extended St Peters Roman Catholic School for Aberdeen City Council; the new Brae Campus for Shetland Islands Council; and the new Mull 2-18 Campus for Argyll and Bute Council.

Balfour Beatty will work on the new Forres Academy for the Moray Council. The five projects will provide new and refurbished learning estate for 3,840 pupils at a total cost of £333 million.

The Hazelhead, Forres, Brae, and Mull projects will all get significant funding from the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme Phase 3 (LEIP3).

Richard Park, chief executive of hub North Scotland, said: “This is a key moment for the North Schools Programme in reaching the preferred bidder stage for our main contractors. A huge amount of work has already been undertaken by our local authority partners and our supply chain in progressing these projects.

“This collaboration allowed our partners to share best practice, knowledge and resources to achieve the programme goals and also helped streamline key elements which will bring cost, time and quality benefits in delivering these projects.”

Elliot Robertson, chief executive officer at Robertson Group, said: “Bringing together local authorities, the pioneering hub North Schools Programme champions experience, best practice and quality while supporting each local authority’s ambitious plans to invest in education and the prosperity of future generations.

“Robertson is a trusted partner of choice in the education sector, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality projects across the UK.

“We look forward to continuing our close working relationship with hub North Scotland and the local authorities as together we take these projects to the next stage to finalise design and prepare for delivery.”

Hector MacAulay MBE, managing director of Balfour Beatty’s regional business in Scotland, said: “We are pleased that our extensive experience in delivering world-class education facilities has been recognised in our selection to deliver the new Forres Campus.

“As we begin pre-construction works, we look forward to look forward to continuing our long established and close working relationship with Moray Council and hub North Scotland to ensure the successful delivery of this modern, sustainable, and inspiring learning environment.”