10 September 2019
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited Peterhead Academy to announce the first schools to be built as part of a nationwide £1 billion investment programme.
The First Minister, Deputy First Minister John Swinney and COSLA’s spokesperson for resources Councillor Gail Macgregor met pupils and staff at the school to discuss the announcement which will replace 26 schools across the country.
The new Learning Estates Strategy is in partnership with COSLA. The Scottish Government will contribute funding of up to £275 million with a further phase of investment to be announced within 12 months.
They include a new Peterhead Community Campus and replacements for Dales Park Primary School, Meethill Primary School, Peterhead Academy and Anna Ritchie School.
The First Minister said:
Modern, state of the art buildings can make a real difference to the lives of pupils, teachers and parents, as well as the wider communities they serve. This investment continues our efforts to improve the condition of our entire learning estate, from early years through to schools and colleges.”
Our Resources Spokesperson @CllrGMacgregor launched Scotland's new Learning Estate Strategy alongside @NicolaSturgeon and @JohnSwinney at @PeterheadA today 👩🎓👨🎓
Scotland's Councils will contribute at least £2bn to the Programme 💰
Find out more here ⬇️https://t.co/epWULjikxX pic.twitter.com/LRcutuXDbu
— COSLA (@COSLA) September 9, 2019
During the visit the First Minister, Deputy First Minister and Councillor Macgregor saw Peterhead Academy’s Hywind project, which ties to the low carbon focus of the new schools.
The Deputy First Minister said:
Creating and maintaining high quality, fit for purpose educational facilities demonstrates to pupils, teachers, staff and the community how valuable learning is.”
Some photos from today's visit to @PeterheadA by @NicolaSturgeon & @JohnSwinney. Pupils enjoyed a Q&A, & did a fab job of showing off the school's Hywind Hub classroom where they were joined by young people from neighbouring schools. Full story: https://t.co/iK5LJMxcLs #invest pic.twitter.com/9T7pF7jzxC
— AberdeenshireCouncil (@Aberdeenshire) September 9, 2019