WATCH: Tay News takes a look at the new Harris Academy
The ÂŁ31 million school officially today.
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills John Swinney MSP officially opened the new ÂŁ31 million Harris Academy building this morning.
Pupils celebrated the opening with a musical programme and Mr Swinney was given a tour of some of the facilities at the new Dundee City Council secondary.
The Deputy First Minister said: “I am very pleased to officially open the new Harris Academy building, which was supported with £20.3 million from the Scottish Government’s Schools for the Future programme, and combines educational tradition with state of the art accommodation.
“I am sure the new school will be a fantastic environment for pupils to learn in and will provide modern facilities the whole community will enjoy for generations to come.”
Work started on the new school in 2014, following demolition of the previous 1931 building.
Original features such as the clock tower and the stone entrance portico have been retained and reused prominently in the new building.
The project was led by hub East Central Scotland in partnership with Dundee Council, Scottish Futures Trust and Robertson Tayside.
The building opened for senior pupils in June and opened to all year groups in August.
Pupils also transferred to the new Harris Academy from Menzieshill High School, which the council agreed to close last year.
City council children and families service convener Councillor Stewart Hunter said: “This is a tremendous occasion for everyone connected with Harris Academy.
The stunning new school building is designed to meet the educational challenges of the future and be an inspirational learning centre for our young people.
“Harris Academy is a secondary school which is taking its long tradition into an exciting new future.”
Kevin Dickson, regional managing director, Robertson Tayside, said: “This has been an exciting build to be involved with, that will have an impact on so many in Dundee now, and in the future.
“It’s been great to see the pupils use and learn in the new, spacious, modern building that allows them to thrive.”