PLANS to build an extension to Elgin High School have been ditched in favour of an internal repurposing project.
The proposed extension, which was first proposed in 2023, was set to cost just under £15 million and cater to an additional 250-320 pupils – amidst increasing demand following the launch of a series of nearby housing developments.
However, the September 2024 school census data indicated a significant reduction in future pupil numbers forecast to attend Elgin High School, including planning for future house building. The extension project was paused in November 2024 to allow time for the updated school roll forecasts to be independently verified before any final decisions were made.
An independent external review confirmed that the school roll forecasting method used was robust and suitable for future capacity planning. It also supported the view that the most recent figures do not support the need for a large extension, reflecting a national fall in primary school numbers, which will affect secondary schools in the coming years. The September 2025 school census data also confirmed this finding with actual pupils and forecast pupils attending Elgin High School being lower than previous predictions.
A separate study looked in detail at how spaces at Elgin High School are currently utilised. Moray Council committee members, parents, and community representatives recently took the opportunity to visit the school to see for themselves the changes internally that could ensure suitable learning spaces in a repurposed building.
The report findings indicate that, with changes to timetabling, more efficient use of rooms, and the repurposing of some underused spaces, the school would accommodate up to 950 pupils – which the council said is more than sufficient to meet forecast future capacity demand.
Leader of Moray Council and chair of the education, children’s, and leisure services committee, councillor Kathleen Robertson, said, “Elgin High School is a much-loved part of the community, and we want to make sure it continues to meet pupils’ needs for years to come. These reviews have given us confidence that by making better use of the space already there, we can create the right learning environment and use resources wisely to benefit young people in Elgin. I also thank community representatives and lay members of the education committee for their input during the engagement process.”
