Parents "appalled" over progress on Culloden Academy revamp
Pictures taken earlier this month showing the inside of the school have been shared with MFR News.
Highland Council are yet again under fire over a project to expand a secondary school.
A letter on behalf of Culloden Community Council and Culloden Academy Parent Council has been sent to the local authority's Chief Executive.
The groups are unhappy with progress on work surrounding phase one of the extension, which include sports facilities and other refurbishments.
The local authority say various local, national and international factors are currently impacting construction projects.
"Unanimous concern"
Pictures taken earlier this month showing the inside of the school have been shared with MFR News.
One of the pictures shows the inside of one of the shower facilities where part of the floor appears to have crumbled away.
As well as the PE facilities, a letter addressed to Highland Council Chief Executive Donna Manson outlines concerns on plans for a new synthetic sports pitch and a fire evacuation point.
It says: "The chair of the stakeholder group received un update via email from the Highland Council on 12th May 2022 and shared that information with the Culloden Academy Parent Council at their recent meeting.
"There was unanimous concern over the content of the email and the parents then toured the school to look at the work that had been carried out to date.
"Worryingly, we were also shown areas of the school that the Highland Council have decided no longer needs investment and quite frankly we are appalled that the teachers are expected to provide an educational experience in this setting, let alone ask students to learn.
"It is an absolute disgrace and it is a redaction of the previous agreements for the Culloden Academy expansion plans that parents and the community simply will not accept."
Speaking to MFR News, Culloden Community Council Chair Catherine Bunn expressed her disappointment with delays.
She said: "We are aware Highland Council has recently put in a planning application for the synthetic sports pitch at the school.
"However, the information we’re receiving behind the scenes is that there is potentially going to be very substantial delays on the implementation of the sports pitch.
"It’s really just not being kept to schedule and these facilities should’ve been in. The planning should’ve been in months ago.
"The sports pitch was meant to be finished by August.
"They’re putting in classrooms and they’re putting in portacabins, yet the actual sports facilities to provide the health, wellbeing and encouragement is being left behind.
"There are some good facilities being put in, we acknowledge that. The portacabin classroom city is coming in and that’s great. However we have serious concerns over the state of the PE department. The PE facilities are absolutely appalling.
"They were due to be renovated and this is one of the things that seems to be getting dropped from the schedule.
"It needs to be refreshed and updated.
"We’re not asking for a huge new building on this section, it’s just refreshing the facilities that have been neglected for many years."
Range of factors impacting construction projects
Highland Council say there will be a chance next month for the community to engage with the project.
A spokesperson said: "There are a range of local, national and international factors that are currently impacting on construction projects.
"We continue to work closely with colleagues in the Scottish Futures Trust to monitor the current construction situation and discuss this and other current projects.
"Earlier this year, the Council held two virtual public events to view and comment on the proposals for the first phase of the extension and refurbishment programme along with the overall design masterplan for Culloden Academy.
"There is an upcoming opportunity for the community to engage with us on this development as further events are planned for June 2022.
"These events will be open to all members of the community. If you wish to attend, please contact CLestates@highland.gov.uk to request a link and documents from the events will be uploaded onto the Council’s website."