OVER £3.5 million has been spent on improving Dundee schools in 2024/25 with another £2.1 million proposed for 2025/26, the city’s council has revealed.
Upgrades undertaken in 2024/25 include £400,000 on electrical works and fire alarm replacement at Barnhill Primary School. In addition, work is ongoing as part of a £1.8 million improvement investment at St John’s High, which includes enhancing the support area.
Work scheduled for 2025/26 includes £300,000 on under-floor heating work at Harris Academy.
Almost all early years establishments, primary, secondary and special school buildings have been assessed as ‘good’ or ‘satisfactory’, Dundee City Council said.
However, both Braeview and Craigie High Schools have a ‘poor’ rating and will both close at the end of the current school year. The schools will transition to the new East End Community Campus, which has been designed as a 365 campus providing facilities for both the school and community and is due to open in August.
Children, families, and communities convenor at Dundee City Council, Stewart Hunter, said, “We are committed to providing the best learning environment for our young people. It’s important that we regularly review the condition of our education establishments and maintain them to the highest standard for our children and young people to learn in.
“The current condition of our educational estate reflects the significant investment we have made in recent years. We are aware of the school buildings needing attention and have completed or scheduled work to address them.”
The committee will also hear that RAAC found at both St Fergus and Ardler Primary Schools is currently in good condition, with no structural issues apparent. Accordingly, both schools can continue to safely operate and will continue to be inspected every six months, the local authority said.
Elsewhere, the report details school capacity levels. Four schools currently operate above 100% capacity but use flexible arrangements to accommodate all pupils. Work is underway in St John’s RC High School to address capacity issues by adding four modular classrooms.
