Initial works for Aberdeen City Council's new Hazlehead Academy Campus have gotten underway, with contractors taking control of part of the site to begin enabling activity.

Robertson Construction operatives will this week erect fencing to create a secure compound and install CCTV for safety. A temporary access from Groat's Road is being formed, alongside the installation of temporary site accommodation for the contractor.

Once the compound is in place, tree felling within the secure area will begin next week. The following week, crews will start stripping out the former janitors' houses, and additional fencing will be installed to extend the compound around the former swimming pool building.

Demolition of the janitors' houses, along with further tree felling, is scheduled to be completed before Christmas, with materials removed from the site thereafter.

Councillor Martin Greig, convener of the Education and Children's Services Committee, Aberdeen City Council, said: "This marks an exciting milestone for Aberdeen's education future. The new Hazlehead Academy Campus will provide a modern, inspiring environment for learning and wellbeing ensuring our young people have the best possible opportunities to thrive."

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Councillor Jessica Mennie, the vice-convener of the Education and Children's Services Committee, said: "Starting preparation works is the first step towards delivering a state-of-the-art facility that will serve generations to come. This investment reflects our commitment to high-quality education and to supporting the growth of our communities."

The campus is being constructed on the current school's playing fields. Hazlehead Academy will continue operating as normal throughout, with any required plant or materials delivered before the start of the school day to minimise disruption for pupils and staff.

The new campus is due to complete in August 2028. It is being delivered with Aberdeen City Council's development partner hub North Scotland and is the first project to get under way in the North Schools Programme, a collaborative initiative by five local authorities to deliver new school estate.

Ewen Fowlie, Operations Director for hub North Scotland, said: "These enabling works are essential to prepare the site for construction works next year. It is also a landmark moment for our North Schools Programme as Hazlehead is the first school to begin on site."

Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Robertson Group, said: "This milestone marks clear progress on Hazlehead AcademyCampus, which will provide increased capacity, modern teaching facilities and a more sustainable, future-ready building. Our team has extensive experience delivering complex education projects in Aberdeen and across the country, and the advance works now under way are essential to preparing for full construction next year."

Stephen Long, senior associate director at the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), said: "Hazlehead Academy Campus is being delivered through the SFT-managed Learning Estate Investment Programme, where funding is released on the achievement of set outcomes which include the ongoing good condition of the campus, energy efficiency targets, digital connectivity, economic growth and embodied carbon.

"When this campus is complete it will provide a high-quality, sustainable learning environment that supports teaching excellence and will enrich the lives of its pupils."

Designed to be a flexible, state-of-the-art facility, the new campus will accommodate up to 1,600 pupils and include two full-size all-weather pitches and an athletic sprint track. It will serve an expanded catchment that includes Countesswells and Kingswells.