Two major construction firms, Robertson and Balfour Beatty, have been chosen as the leading contractors for a significant new educational initiative in northern Scotland. The North Schools Programme aims to modernize and expand the region’s learning infrastructure, with new facilities planned to serve thousands of students.
Collaborative Effort to Strengthen Educational Infrastructure
The North Schools Programme is a high-profile project designed to improve educational facilities across five local authorities in Scotland. The program includes both new builds and refurbishments, which together will accommodate nearly 4,000 pupils.
The collaborative nature of the programme is evident in the involvement of multiple local authorities, working together to enhance the region’s educational offering. This joint effort between local governments and major contractors aims to streamline the process, maximize efficiency, and improve both the cost and quality of the final projects.
Richard Park, the CEO of Hub North Scotland, expressed his excitement about the progress of the initiative. “This is a key moment for the North Schools Programme in reaching the preferred bidder stage for our main contractors,” he said. “A huge amount of work has already been undertaken by our local authority partners and our supply chain in progressing these projects.”
The collaboration between different stakeholders has been designed to foster the sharing of best practices, resources, and knowledge, ensuring a smoother, faster, and more cost-effective project delivery.
Robertson’s Role: Expanding Schools for Thousands of Pupils
Robertson, one of the two primary contractors, will focus on the development of four schools across the region. This includes the construction of new educational facilities and the refurbishment of existing buildings.
Among the major projects under Robertson’s responsibility are:
- Hazelhead Campus for Aberdeen City Council
- St Peters Roman Catholic School for Aberdeen City Council
- Brae Campus for Shetland Islands Council
- Mull 2-18 Campus for Argyll and Bute Council
Together, these projects will cater to a total of 2,720 pupils. The estimated combined value of Robertson’s four projects is £232.5m (approximately $284.12m), with funding from the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP3).
Elliot Robertson, the CEO of Robertson Group, highlighted the importance of this initiative: “Bringing together local authorities, the pioneering hub North Schools Programme champions experience, best practice, and quality while supporting each local authority’s ambitious plans to invest in education and the prosperity of future generations.”
Balfour Beatty’s Contribution: Forres Academy
Balfour Beatty will be responsible for the construction of the new Forres Academy in Moray, which is set to serve 1,120 pupils. The academy will be funded through the Scottish Government’s LEIP, which selected the project for funding in October 2023. The new Forres Academy is expected to be completed by mid-2028.
The new academy will provide students with modern facilities, helping to support education in the region for years to come.
