DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER FORMALLY OPENS HARRIS ACADEMY

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills John Swinney MSP has officially opened the new £31 million Harris Academy building in Dundee. 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. 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.” Gary Bushnell, Chief Executive, hub East Central Scotland, said: “It is great to see pupils and teachers enjoying the new school and its first class facilities. Our team worked closely with Dundee City Council to manage the project to successful early completion, delivering a high quality building at best value for the public purse. More than half of the workforce who built the school were local and the project created 21 work placements and 19 apprenticeships in the community.” 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.”