A ceremony was held on Wednesday at Milton of Leys to mark the start of work on a new eagerly awaited £7 million primary school.

Pupils from Drakies and Inshes primary schools joined Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee, Councillor Bill Fernie to help cut the first sod.

Morrison Construction have been awarded the contract to build the new school which will initially accommodate up to 279 pupils in 11 classrooms with separate nursery space for 60 children in two sessions, a community room and wraparound childcare. The school design will be flexible, providing the option for further classrooms to be added in the future.

-- Advertisement --

Donald McLachlan, Regional Director of Morrison Construction, said: “We are delighted to have been entrusted by Highland Council with the delivery of this Key Community project for Milton of Leys. As a direct result of this award we will be in a position to invest in the local economy with the employment of new apprentices this year.”

Funding for the new build has come from within the Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service capital programme.

Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee said: “The Highland Council is making this huge investment in the City of Inverness and I am really pleased to be at this ceremony today to mark the start of the work. The new building will not only offer a modern learning and teaching environment, but will also relieve the pressure on Inshes primary school.

“We have worked closely with Morrison Construction on very successful new school builds so I am confident Milton of Leys Primary will be a top quality facility which will meet the aspirations of the pupils, their families and the whole community.”

The Milton of Leys Primary School is scheduled to open in August 2011. The catchment area will include the Milton of Leys and Dell of Inshes Housing Estates and P7 pupils will move up to Millburn Academy.

(GK)