Work to progress replacement primary school in Foveran gets underway

Work to progress a replacement primary school in Foveran is set to begin following a meeting of Aberdeenshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services (ECS) Committee.

Members of the committee agreed to begin the initial development stages for a replacement primary school at Foveran, starting work on a business case, identifying funding and community engagement.

Foveran primary school, on Main Road, has capacity for 47 pupils with the current school roll at 45 pupils and expected to be over capacity by the new school year in August. 

There is housing pressure in the area which could double the number of pupils by the end of the decade. The school site is not large enough for an extension and adjacent land would be a significant challenge to build on.

Chair of the ECS committee Cllr Gillian Owen said: “I believe that a new primary school at Foveran is the best option.

“A number of alternatives have been considered by officers, including extensions and other locations for schools within the catchment areas. 

“We have considered what is best for the education of children in the area and the best solution in terms of place - an important part of this decision.

“I look forward to hearing more about how the project progresses.”

Vice-chair Cllr Anne Simpson said: “A new school will provide around 300 places, more than suitable for the current roll and growth in the area for the foreseeable future.

“Officers will now be progressing the business case and engaging with the community on the next steps.”