Construction and major refurbishment work across seven Aberdeen schools is continuing, councillors have been told.

The £30.3 million Riverbank Primary School in Tillydrone, which was officially opened in October 2025, can accommodate 651 pupils and up to 60 children in early learning and nursery provision. The new campus also features a 3G sports pitch and a range of outdoor learning and play facilities.

Elsewhere in the city, replacement schools, major refurbishments or new extensions are progressing at Ferryhill Primary School, Harlaw Academy, St Machar Academy, Bucksburn Academy, Hazlehead Academy and St Peter's RC Primary School.

Education Convener Councillor Martin Greig said: "The Council is constructing or renovating buildings which will be excellent places of learning and care for young people for generations to come.

"Investing in schools means that we are investing in local communities. Every child deserves to have the best possible learning environment and it is great to improve the school estate for the benefit of learners."

The report to the committee said practical completion of a new nursery at Ferryhill Primary School was achieved in August 2025, and the nursery opened at the start of the new school term. The next milestone is to start works on the main school extension and refurbishment after the completion of the tender exercise, in autumn 2025.

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For the Harlaw Academy extension, works took place in the 2025 school summer holidays including diverting a gas main, creating a new access and playground to divert the children away from the front of the school where the site compound would be situated, and installing new access road to gain access to the location of the new building site. The main works procurement is currently underway with award planned for Autumn 2025.

Practical completion for the external improvements at St Machar Academy was achieved in August (2025) and the new facilities were available at the start of the new school year. The improvements included removal of disused temporary classroom units, installation of a new food pod and a covered dining area, installation of a new multi-use games area, and installation of an outdoor classroom, paths and growing area.

A design team has been appointed for the Bucksburn Academy extension and initial discussions and design development has started.

For a new Hazlehead Academy building, development partner hub North Scotland is progressing with an advanced package of works including tree felling and demolishing the swimming pool block and the former janitors' lodges, subject to statutory approval.

It is anticipated that new school building will be open in summer 2028 with the demolition of the existing buildings and the construction of the sports pitches to be completed by summer 2029.

For St Peter's RC Primary School, hub North Scotland is progressing with an advanced package of works including asbestos removal and subject to statutory approvals carrying out fabric repairs to Old Aberdeen House and demolish St Peters RC School. The planning application for the extension is scheduled for this Winter (2025/2026) and it is anticipated the school will operate from the site from Autumn 2027.