Pupils in Tain stepped into their new school for the first time on Wednesday 22 April as Highland Council’s flagship campus officially opened its doors.
The first to experience the new facilities were pupils from the newly formed Tain Primary School, bringing together Craighill and Knockbreck Primaries, alongside pupils from St Duthus School.
The £72 million development creates a single campus for children and young people aged 3 to 18, with Tain Royal Academy set to move onto the site on Wednesday 3 June following SQA exams.
Each school will retain its own identity within the campus, while sharing a range of modern learning environments and facilities.
Staff and pupils had already previewed the site before the Easter break, with early feedback pointing to strong support for the new setting.
Simon Scott said:
“Today is a special day for all our school community, it’s a privilege to be the first head teacher of this brand-new primary school.
“The schools they are leaving behind hold many precious memories for so many people in Tain, but we hope that we can now create an affection for the new place, something people will hold dearly in their hearts for the future.”
Iain MacIver said:
“The facilities we have, such as the soft play sensory room and the garden are fantastic and a real sign of progress.
“We are looking forward to gaining access to things we did not have previously, like a games hall and gym hall.
“It opens new opportunities for us.
“The children will still have their own space, but they will also be part of a wider campus at the same time.
“There’s scope for greater cooperation across all three schools.”
Darren Jarvie said:
“Having everyone under one roof will help us build a strong community.
“It brings major benefits when it comes to the transition between schools, and we can host more events to bring all in the Associated School Group together.
“The space we’ve got available to us, the PE halls, the outdoor space, having access to that every single day is going to lift spirits and offer opportunities that we weren’t previously able to provide.”
The campus includes early years, primary, Gaelic medium and secondary provision, alongside a range of community facilities.
These include outdoor sports pitches, a two court gymnasium, a four court hall and a dedicated dance and drama studio available for wider use.
The development also marks a milestone in sustainable construction, becoming the first school building in Highland to achieve Passivhaus certification.
The design incorporates high levels of insulation, airtight construction and a ventilation system with heat recovery to improve efficiency and comfort.
The new campus replaces older school buildings that are no longer fit for purpose.
It forms part of the wider Highland Investment Plan, a £2.1 billion programme aimed at upgrading schools, infrastructure and services across the region over the next 20 years.
