Wick single campus plan 'a step in the right direction'
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THERE is an opportunity to create something special which meets the needs of local pupils.
That’s the view of the Highland Council’s head of support services, Ron Mackenzie, regarding the proposed merger of Pulteneytown Academy and South Primary in Wick.
Plans to establish the two schools on a three-to-18-year-old campus at the new Wick High – due to open in 2014 – have been met with approval.
Over 100 parents and teaching staff attended a consultation meeting on the plans at the Assembly Rooms on Tuesday night.
Mr Mackenzie led the discussion, emphasising the two primaries are currently operating under capacity.
He said the plans – set at an estimated cost of £9.225 million – would better utilise resources for pupils and staff.
“Wick, in Scottish terms, is in the unique position where potentially it will receive a brand-new secondary school as well as two primary schools. I can’t emphasise strongly enough the possible sense of improvement of what is already there,” he insisted. “Pupils would be provided with state-of-the-art facilities in one campus.”
South Primary is currently at 41 per cent occupancy and has a roll of 111 pupils with eight classrooms, while Pulteneytown Academy is currently at 73 per cent occupancy with 190 pupils and 31 youngsters in the nursery.
The latter is also home to the Caithness Early Years Autism Centre which currently has 12 pupils.
Mr Mackenzie said both schools would require extensive renovation if they were kept open.
“They have excellent reputations and deliver a good standard of education to the pupils they serve. However, the buildings in which these children have been taught are said to be poor for an acceptable teaching environment. These evaluations were carried out by the head teachers of these schools,” he explained.
“The projected school roll of Pulteneytown Academy is set to go down with South school set to go slightly up. South school also has one of the lowest occupancy rates in the Highlands which has been a source of great concern to us.
“The case for change is that both schools require investment to improve their building structures.
“Building a new school on the ?three-to-18 campus is, we believe, a step in the right direction for modern education delivery.
“One of the key drivers is to create an environment which meets the needs of pupils in the community.”
The new primary school would have capacity for 382 pupils with nursery spaces for 60 children in morning and afternoon sessions. The building would have 15 class bases and pupils would have access to the swimming pool, library and sports hall and performance theatre which will be based in the new Wick High.
There would also be designated areas between playgrounds and dining-room areas for primary and secondary pupils.
Mr Mackenzie said the number of staff at the proposed new school would have to be looked at. He said it was inevitable there would be job losses as a result.
“Staffing levels at schools are determined by the amount of pupils. The staffing level of the new school would be based on the roll when the school opens.
“We don’t have exact numbers to hand but our experience in the past is when there is the potential to reduce staff we work towards that.”
It is planned for senior staff from both primary schools to visit a three-to-18 campus in Inverness to see how it works.
Quality improvement officer Margaret Barclay has overseen the implementation of a similar campus at Milton of Leys in Inverness.
She believes the plans would increase the education opportunities for pupils in Wick.
“Every child has an entitlement to excellence,” she said. “Every staff member has an entitlement to a welcoming workplace which is a bright and airy, modern environment.
“In my experience, staff and children who come from schools which have merged gel extremely quickly. The access that primary schoolchildren will have to facilities at Wick High School will prove of great benefit to them.”
As previously reported, another purpose-built school would be constructed on land at the town’s North school – catering for around 390 pupils from the amalgamation of Hillhead and North primaries – at a cost of £10.5m.
