Deputy First Minister John Swinney MSP has officially opened a new high school in the north west of Perth.

The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills visited the site of the new Bertha Park High School to perform the opening today, 16 January.

The £32.5 million facility, which welcomed its first students in August 2019, is the first new secondary school in Perth and Kinross for more than 40 years. It also forms a key element of an ongoing capital programme of upgrades and improvements to the Perth & Kinross Council school estate.

Senior Councillors and Council officials, representatives from hub East Central Scotland and Robertson Construction, Headteacher Stuart Clyde, and pupils and staff were all in attendance for the ribbon-cutting ceremony today. 
Speaking at the opening, Minister Swinney said: "It is terrific to see the progress that has been made since having cut the turf for the Bertha Park High School project. 

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"Pupils and teachers at Bertha Park benefit from one of the most technologically advanced schools in the UK. The design of the campus allows for innovative digital learning, helping equip pupils with the skills they will need when they move into work, training or further study.

"Perth & Kinross Council's continued commitment to investing in their school buildings, as well as developing Scotland's first new school in two decades with Bertha Park, contributes to meeting the demands of local population growth with modern, fit-for-purpose schools."

This project represents the sixth school hub East Central Scotland has completed for the Council in recent years.


Kevin Dickson, Managing Director, Robertson Tayside, added: "The official opening of Bertha Park High School celebrates not only a new era in education for Perth & Kinross Council but also what can be achieved by effective partnership working. As main contractor, we're hugely proud of the completed school, which has exceeded all expectations to stand apart from almost any other in Scotland. Since opening its doors in August, pupils and staff have seen first-hand the impact the built environment can have on their educational experience. Of course, this is just the start of the Bertha Park success story and everyone at Robertson is excited to see how the school develops in the years ahead. We also look forward to working again with Perth & Kinross Council and hub East Scotland to deliver more transformational education projects."

(CM/JG)