The public, including parents, pupils and school staff, are being invited to have their say on plans to invest up to £100 million in a new education campus in Thurso.
Under the proposals being considered by The Highland Council, Pennyland Primary School and Miller Academy Primary School would be brought together to create a new primary school with Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) and Gaelic Medium Education (GME) provision. The new primary school would be co-located alongside a new Thurso High School on a single education campus on the existing site. Mount Pleasant Primary School would remain open.
The proposals form part of wider plans for a new Community Point of Delivery (PoD) in Thurso, bringing together education and community services within a modern, purpose-built campus designed to meet current and future needs.
The Council has committed £100 million to the project through its Highland Investment Plan (HIP) - a £2.1 billion, 20-year capital investment programme to improve schools, roads and local infrastructure throughout the region. The plan is funded through a combination of borrowing and a 2% ring-fenced allocation of Council Tax revenue.
A key element of the HIP is the creation of community hubs, known as Points of Delivery (PoDs), supporting a move towards a single public estate incorporating schools, council services and partners into modern, integrated community-based facilities.
The education proposals have been informed by early engagement carried out between December 2025 and January 2026 as part of the pre-design consultation for the wider Thurso PoD. More than 500 people took part through a series of drop-in events and an online survey, building on earlier workshops with key partners and community groups.
Feedback highlighted education quality and the learning experience of pupils as the top priority. There was also strong interest in sport and leisure facilities, and arts, culture and community spaces, although the community have expressed support for the current library, fitness studio and swimming pool remaining in place in their current sites.
Cllr John Finlayson, Chair of the Council's Education Committee, said: "This represents a significant opportunity to invest in the future of education in Thurso and create modern learning environments that will support children and young people for generations to come.
"We know our existing school buildings present challenges, and this investment would help ensure pupils have access to high-quality facilities that support learning, wellbeing and achievement.
"No final decisions have been taken, and we want to hear directly from pupils, parents, staff and the wider community before any decisions are made."
Cllr Raymond Bremner, Leader of the Highland Council, said: "The Highland Investment Plan represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in communities across the Highlands and deliver modern, sustainable public facilities for the future.
"The proposed investment in Thurso has been identified as one of our priority projects and would create a modern education campus at the heart of a wider Point of Delivery, bringing together learning, community and public services in a way that supports health, wellbeing and strong community connections.
"As we continue to develop these plans, it is vital that local people continue to play a central role in shaping these plans."
As part of its planned consultation, the Council is hosting a public meeting in Thurso High School on Thursday 27 August at 7pm, where the community can learn more about the proposals and ask questions. The consultation will run until 30 September 2026 and comments can be submitted through online at www.highland.gov.uk/schoolconsultations
A report will be presented to the Council’s education committee in early 2027, taking into account the consultation responses and view of Education Scotland before any final decision is taken.
Subject to the outcome of that meeting and the decision by members, further consultation would then take on detailed proposals for the wider Thuso PoD development ahead of planning permission being submitted.
The work is supported by the Thurso Transformation Delivery Group, which brings together partners from multiple organisations to coordinate projects and maximise benefits for Thurso and Caithness.