£5 million Investment across schools in Dundee
14/01/25
Over £3.5 million has been spent improving schools in 2024/25, with another £2.1million proposed for 2025/26.
The Children, Families and Communities Committee will consider the latest review of the service estate at its next meeting. The report will go into detail about the condition and suitability of nursery, primary, secondary and special school buildings as well as other service facilities.
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 School, which include enhancing the support area.
Work scheduled for 2025/26 includes £300,000 on under-floor heating work at Harris Academy.
Almost all the early years establishments, primary, secondary and special school buildings have all been assessed as being ‘good’ or ‘satisfactory’.
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 due to open in August this year.
Children, Families and Communities Convenor 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 the (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) RAAC 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.
Elsewhere, the report details the school capacity levels. The total capacity across the primary estate is 13,261 pupils, with 10,059 spaces used, which represents an occupancy level of 76%. The total capacity across the secondary estate is 9,518 pupils, with 8,213 spaces used, representing an occupancy level of 86%.
Four schools operate above 100% capacity but use flexible arrangements to accommodate all pupils. Work is already underway in St John’s RC High School to address capacity issues by adding four modular classrooms.
Councillor Hunter added: “We work hard to ensure we adapt to population changes. This includes increasing the number of reserved places for priority 1 pupils and reviewing catchment areas.
“Capacities are regularly monitored, and we will make changes where necessary, as is the case with work currently going on at St John’s RC High School.”
The Children, Families and Communities Committee will meet on the 20th of January 2025.
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