Aberdeen City Council To Buy St Joseph's School

Aberdeen City Council are to buy St Joseph's School in Aberdeen, in order to secure it's future.

The decision to proceed with the purchase of the school and the school’s grounds was taken by the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee today (Wed 15th June).

The purchase would include the school buildings, the two residential properties on the site and the school grounds subject to the purchase price of around £12.75million.

It means that, there is now certainty over the long term provision of education at the site, the same number of pupils can stay put, and there is no risk of increases to the cost of the lease.

Vice convener of Finance, Policy and Resources Committee Councillor Ross Thomson said: “It is wonderful news that in purchasing St Joseph’s school building we are securing the future of what is a real centre of excellence.

“The high quality of education at St Joseph’s ensures opportunity and positive destinations for our young people. I know that the Council’s decision will give parents comfort and reassurance over the long-term future of this first-class primary school.

“Our strong management of the city’s finances has allowed us to make this investment. This is the right decision as St Joseph’s contributes so much to the vibrancy of education here in Aberdeen.”

Convener of Education and Children’s Services Councillor Angela Taylor said: “Education is a priority for this council and by agreeing to purchase St Joseph’s RC School and its grounds shows a genuine commitment by us, not only to the school community but also to RC education in the city.”

The City Council hopes to take ownership of the school at the end of the current lease which ends on 31 July 2017.

Parents of children at the school will be informed by letter today.