A new secondary school building is to be built at Charleston Academy, Inverness, as part of a multi-million pound investment.
It is part of plans to modernise the learning environment by The Highland Council.
As part of the pre-planning consultation, pupils, parents, staff and members of the community are invited to view the plans at a drop-in event at Charleston Academy Community Complex on the following dates:
- Thursday 10 December 2026, 2pm to 7pm.
- Thursday 21 January 2027, 2pm to 7pm.
The project will be funded through the Highland Investment Plan - 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.
As part of the Highland Investment Plan, all new school buildings will be designed as Community Points of Delivery (PoDs), with the flexibility to accommodate education provision alongside other community facilities, council services and partner organisations, within modern, locally accessible community hubs. Charleston Community Complex will be part of the new building.
The investment in the Charleston Academy Community PoD will include:
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A new state-of-the art secondary school building designed to support pupils needs.
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Flexible offices for staff and partner agency staff.
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A four-court sports hall and two court gymnasium and dance studio, available to book out of school hours.
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Community café to support community engagement.
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Community hub to allow access to sport and drama facilities outside school hours.
Hub North Scotland is the Council's delivery partner for the Highland Investment Plan. Morgan Sindall has been identified as the preferred main contractor.
Chair of Highland Council’s Education Committee, Cllr John Finlayson, said: “The Charleston Academy Community PoD is a key Highland Investment Plan project, which will improve the learning environment for pupils, support health and wellbeing, and create opportunities for the wider community. It is great to reach this important milestone, and I look forward to seeing work commence on site next year.”
The drop-in events planned in December and January have been planned to gather community feedback prior to a planning application being submitted.
A stakeholder group for the project has been established, comprising Council officials, elected members, local community groups, High Life Highland, Charleston Community Complex Management Committee and Charleston Academy staff and parents. This group will ensure key stakeholders are kept up-to-date and can provide feedback as the project progresses.
The works are due to commence on site in 2028, with school and community facilities expected to open in 2030.