Highland Council has agreed to closer analysis of the current catchment arrangements for secondary schools in Inverness.
After previous discussions had highlighted concerns, members of the council’s education committee have today (Wednesday 26 August) approved work focused primarily on the Inverness Royal Academy and Millburn Academy Associated School Groups.
The new study will consider issues such as school roll forecasts and capacities, housing growth, placing request patterns, travel and community links.
A further report to the education committee will set out options, implications and recommendations arising from the review.
Chair of Highland Council’s education committee, Cllr John Finlayson, said: “Current school roll forecasts demonstrate differing capacity positions across Inverness Associated School Groups. The purpose of the review is not to predetermine any changes to catchment boundaries, but to assess whether the current arrangements provide the most effective use of available school capacity and support sustainable long-term educational planning across Inverness.”
Millburn Academy is forecast to operate above capacity in the short term until academic session 2027-28, while Inverness Royal Academy remains above 90 per cent utilisation over a five-year forecast.
Charleston Academy also remains above 90 per cent utilisation in the short term, while Culloden Academy has capacity available and Inverness High School retains significant spare capacity throughout the forecast period.
Read the full report here: https://www.highland.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/5390/education-committee (item 7).