Aberdeen City Council’s convener of education and children’s services committee, Councillor Angela Taylor cut the first sod to mark the start of construction of the south of the city academy, which will replace the existing Kincorth Academy and Torry Academy.

Director of education and children’s services, Gayle Gorman, and pupils from Torry Academy, Kincorth Academy and Primary Five pupils from the academies Associated School Groups (ASG) also attended the sod cutting event. The Primary Five pupils will be the first pupils to attend the south of the city academy when it opens at the start of the academic year in August 2018.

Designed by JM Architects Ltd, the four-storey building will provide 21st century educational facilities for up 1,350 pupils from the Torry, Kincorth, Nigg and Cove areas of the city, with a focus on STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Links have already been established with local businesses to promote STEM and entrepreneurial activities.

The inclusion agenda is at the heart of the design with small learning spaces throughout for pupils with additional support needs. The school will also build on the culture of creative and performing arts which already exist in Kincorth and Torry Academies.

Sports facilities will include a dance studio, fitness suite, games hall, six lane 25metre swimming pool, environmental gardens, grass and 3G pitches. It will provide community facilities for leisure and recreation purposes out with the school day.

Councillor Taylor said: “The building of a new £47m south of the city academy shows this council’s commitment to deliver the best possible educational and community environments for its residents in Torry, Kincorth, Nigg and Cove.

“Education in Aberdeen is about raising aspiration and inspiring ambition without barriers, and by investing in our school estate and improving resources we will enable children to open their minds to greater possibilities.

“Education has the power to transform children’s lives and we want children to be engaged and inspired at their school and by doing so inspire their community and the people of Aberdeen.”

Gayle Gorman added: “This is an exciting opportunity to provide a state-of-the-art academy for our children in the south of the city. This new school will provide the ideal educational, social and inclusive environment to enable all our children to reach their full potential.”

The school build will be project managed by hub North Scotland and is due to be completed mid-June 2018.