Joy for Tain as new school campus set to be realised by 2021

Parents, the local authority, and no doubt even some of the pupils have welcomed news that Tain will see the development of a new school campus to encompass the Royal Academy and also the primaries at Knockbreck, Craighill and St Duthus.

The proposed community complex is as part of Holyrood plans to deliver low carbon, digitally enabled centres, bringing together nurseries as well as specialist schools.

Highland Council Leader Margaret Davidson said: 'We are all delighted that the bid for Tain campus has been successful through the Schools for the Future programme. We were competing against other schools in Scotland and needed to prove that the Tain Campus project is transformational'

MSP Gail Ross joined those in praising the efforts to deliver the successful bid, 'I’m absolutely delighted for the pupils in Tain and their feeder schools. Children and Young people in Easter Ross and Sutherland have spent far too long learning in conditions that didn’t suit modern day learning and teaching and were cold, leaking and of a very poor standard.'

'Last week the Deputy First Minister, John Swinney MSP and I spent the day with the pupils of Tain Royal Academy, who stressed to him the importance of a modern and quality learning environment. They told us how they felt that attainment and behaviour would improve and the school community, which Tain Royal Academy was famed for in the past, could be restored to a positive, inclusive and caring one.'

'Primary school pupils and pupils who attend St Duthus School will also benefit from their new campus, at the heart of their community, where we can ensure all children can get the best start in their lives.'

'This is a very exciting time for Tain and I’m exceptionally proud of the young people who put their case across so well.'

The first projects in this phase could open as soon as 2022-23, with works expected for completion by the end of 2021.

Wendy Hennem is chair of the Tain Royal Academy parent council, she said:'There were 11 priority schools across Highland, and while we are delighted, we also hope that funding will come to fruition for those other schools like Nairn (Academy) and St Clement's for example'

'It is a very tight turn-around but to be honest at this stage we're delighted to be in this position, it's not like we've another 5 or 10 years to wait, again in delivering the project I think that's where the community comes in'

Chair of the Ross and Cromarty Committee and Tain and Seaboard Ward Member Cllr Fiona Robertson said: 'It will open up new and exciting learning opportunities for generations to come and at the same time bring economic benefits to the town and surrounding communities. I believe Tain Campus offers a unique opportunity and it is great we can now move forward with detailed plans'