Work to start on refurbishment of Central Primary School

The Council has appointed Morgan Sindall to carry out the work which comprises the refurbishment of two buildings at the school. The refurbishment has been designed by LDN Architects to maintain many of the original features of these buildings, which are part of the oldest school in Inverness dating back to 1877.

The former Gaelic medium unit, which is currently vacant, will be converted to accommodate a kitchen, dining hall and two nursery classrooms. Meals are currently prepared off site and the creation of the kitchen will allow them to be prepared at the school. The new dining area will eliminate the current restrictions on the use of the school hall for PE and other activities. An additional nursery classroom will create sufficient capacity for all 3 and 4 year olds within the school’s catchment area who wish to attend. This work is due to be completed by August 2014.

Improvements will also be carried out at the adjacent Block C, which currently houses the Doorways pupil support facility for primary age children who have challenging behaviour and are unable to sustain full time attendance in mainstream primary classes. It also contains the hall along with other school accommodation. The works will see the Doorways unit expanded to help meet the demand for places at the facility and the remainder of the block will be upgraded with the current kitchen servery to be demolished. The work to this block is programmed for completion in October 2014.

Councillor Alasdair Christie, Chairman of the Education Children and Adult Services Committee, said: “We are delighted to be able to invest in the refurbishment of these long-established and fine looking school buildings, which will result in a significant improvement in the facilities at the school.”

Head Teacher of the 272-pupil school, Mr Derek Martin said: “This is a very exciting development for the Central Primary School community, and Doorways Unit.  The carefully planned refurbishment will keep many of the original features of these historic buildings, whilst providing modern facilities for our nursery classes.  We are particularly pleased with getting our own school kitchen for the first time.  In addition, there will be a major refurbishment of the Doorways Unit which provides out of school tuition to some of Inverness area’s most vulnerable children.  I am grateful for the work of LDN Architects and Morgan Sindall, along with Highland Council colleagues, in keeping disruption to a minimum to the school during this time and look forward to a new school year with new facilities.”

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31 Mar 2014