The £26m new Millburn Academy, Inverness, opened its doors today for the first time.

The new school features a range of classrooms for both general and specialist teaching; an integrated special unit for pupils with additional support needs; a four court games hall, gymnasium and dance studio, fitness room, school library, and a performance venue with bleacher seating.

Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of the Education Culture and Sport Committee, said: "I am really pleased that the Council has been able to make this huge investment in the city of Inverness. This 21st Century school will provide a smart learning environment not just for the pupils but also for the community who will use the sporting and theatre facilities."

Delia Thornton, Head Teacher of the 1,100-pupil school, said: "This is a very significant day in the history of Millburn Academy. The new building will not only offer a modern learning and teaching environment, but also provide much needed social areas for all the pupils. There will also be extensive community use, particularly of the sports facilities and performance venue."

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Millburn Academy is the last of the 11 schools to be built in a second PPP scheme, which has also seen new secondary schools built at Dingwall Academy, Kinlochleven High School and Portree High School; a new school for pupils with additional support needs at Drummond, Inverness; and primary schools at Inshes, Inverness, a new purpose built primary school for Gaelic pupils at Inverness, as well as new primary schools at Kinlochleven, Resolis, Culbokie and Cawdor.

The 11 schools have been built by Alpha Schools (Highland) Ltd.

David Gay, Director of Alpha Schools, said: "Along with everyone else, we have been looking forward to the completion of Millburn Academy, the final Highland school project. We’re thrilled for everyone associated with Millburn that they will now enjoy the same enhanced learning and community facilities that the PPP2 project has already delivered to around 5,000 pupils in the area.

"The construction of 11 schools is a large and complex project and we’re very happy with the quality of work that has been produced. We have enjoyed working alongside The Highland Council and Morrison Construction and look forward to delivering a high standard of maintenance and service throughout the 30 year concession period."

(GK/JM)