This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
School opens in Ardnamurchan
06/06/2003
The new £7 million Ardnamurchan High School and Arainn
Shuaineirt (Sunart) Centre in Strontian were opened
today.
Education Minister Peter Peacock attended the opening
saying that pupils from the Ardnamurchan and Morvern
peninsulas will no longer be subjected to journeys to
school of up to three hours, and that the new school is a
symbol of confidence in the future growth projects of the
West Highlands.
The Minister said:
"This school and cultural centre, with its cutting edge
design, is going to be a nucleus for the whole community,
offering educational, sporting, leisure and cultural
opportunities for all ages, allowing young people to stay
in their local community.
"The right teaching and learning environment is
essential to stimulating and supporting learning, and
raising achievement and attainment. The joy that the
community of Ardnamurchan and Morvern are experiencing with
their new school is that which communities all across
Scotland will increasingly experience as we continue the
biggest school building programme, addressing the legacy of
under-investment and ensuring pupils learn in modern,
well-equipped classrooms accessible to all. By 2009,
another 300 schools will have been built or substantially
refurbished."
He added:
"We are committed to encouraging creativity in schools
so I am pleased to see that a co-ordinator has been
appointed in Ardnamurchan High School to attract
international and national musicians and artists to the
school.
"This is the right school for this area, with features
which reflect the local environment and community needs. I
want to see all over Scotland schools which take account of
local circumstances so that every child can get the best
start in life and achieve their full potential."
In recent years an increasing number of pupils have been
attending Tobermory High School (those from Lochaline,
Drimnin and Kilchoan - 25 pupils) and Mallaig High School
(those from Acharacle, Glenuig and Roshven - 35 pupils).
Those attending Mallaig High School, in particular, had
very lengthy journeys - 1.5 hours from Acharacle to
Mallaig. Most of the pupils who attended Lochaber High
School had to board at Camaghael Hostel.
The new school draws pupils from Kilchoan, Acharacle,
Strontian, Lochaline, Ardgour and Achaphubuil Primary
Schools. The roll of the school will build up year on year.
This session the roll is made up of mainly S1/S2 pupils.
The current school roll is 48 pupils. Next August the roll
will be c.70 pupils and the roll will build up to c.150
pupils. The school's capacity is 200+ pupils. There are
currently three pupils from Kilchoan in the Residence
(hostel). Pupils from Kilchoan and Drimnin are still
outwith daily travelling distance of the school.
The school consists of 23 classrooms; a physical
education complex, which has three badminton courts; a
fitness suite, a third generation all weather pitch and a
grass pitch; a joint library provision for community and
school use; a mid-scale theatre/conference venue for 200;
and two rooms dedicated permanently for community use. The
school will also be a satellite for Lochaber College, a
further and higher education establishment.
Ardnamurchan High School was built as a result of
Highland Council's first schools PPP programme, which had a
capital value of £13.65m. also included the replacement of
Glenurquhart High School and new primary schools at Tomatin
and Spean Bridge.
Highland Council has had their revised outline business
case approved for a further PPP programme worth £100
million. The programme will include five new primary
schools, three new secondary schools, one refurbished
secondary school, two new special educational needs
schools, one new Gaelic school and one refurbished hostel.
The proposed programme will benefit more than 3,600 pupils
in the Highland Council area.