LESSONS are underway in the £42 million Lossiemouth High School, following completion of construction work by Balfour Beatty.
Pupils moved in to the three-storey building today (April 14). It can accommodate up to 800 students in total and features community facilities; a swimming pool; library; games hall; and 3G sports pitch in an area the size of Trafalgar Square.
Accommodation in the building is arranged around a central, double-height social and performance space. There are three learning plazas which can be used flexibly as breakout spaces for group work or year groups or, for example, carrying out STEM projects.
Project Lead at Balfour Beatty, Jim McCluskie, said, “Despite the challenges we have faced as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have remained focused on the safe and successful delivery of Lossiemouth High School; harnessing our unrivalled knowledge and expertise in delivering first-class learning facilities across Scotland.
“I would like to thank the public for their co-operation and patience whilst we completed this essential project that will service the local community for generations to come. The best of luck to all those joining the school today.”
Hub North Scotland led the project. The organisation’s project director, Ewen Fowlie, commented, “This has been a brilliant team effort in the face of some challenging conditions, due to Covid-19, to deliver a wonderful facility which will be enjoyed by the Lossiemouth community for years to come.”
Lossiemouth High School head teacher, Janice Simpson, said, “As we return fully from lockdown we feel very privileged to be starting the new term in such a beautiful new building. We’ve been given a wonderful environment in which to move forward in our learning and are delighted to be able to welcome pupils back to school and support them as we all settle into our new surroundings.”
Moray Council’s chief education officer, Vivienne Cross, added, “The design of flexible teaching and learning spaces will provide a high quality environment that will inspire both staff and young people to achieve their full potential. All teaching spaces are on the outside of the building to maximise the natural light and each department has associated breakout space to allow for flexible learning. Essentially these spaces have been built to embrace new ways of working, which we’ve all had to adapt to over recent months, and will benefit our learners and the wider community in Lossiemouth for many years to come.”
The next phase of work on the project will see the demolition of the previous Lossiemouth High School and community building, as well as completion of new parking, the 3G sports pitch and landscaping.
