New high school details revealed – but it will be delayed

The new Anderson High School will not be completed until April 2017 – eight months after the August 2016 launch-date initially forecast.

A revised deadline has today been made public. The anticipated delay has been put down to the complexity of the design discussions held with Hub North Scotland, which is leading the building project on behalf of the SIC and Scottish Futures Trust.

Planning permission was granted two weeks ago, but there are 26 conditions which must be met before construction can begin.

Also in the mix is a take-over earlier this year of original contractor Miller Construction by Galliford Try. The council says it does not anticipate that having any significant impact on the new school.

Details of the new school and halls of residence were highlighted by councillors and education officials at a project up-date in Lystina House today. Work is said to be well advanced on the detailed external design.

Plans for the internal layout of the school are nearing completion, and include:

• An integrated ASN department with a dedicated entrance
• A large central atrium forming the hub of the school, with teaching spaces ‘wrapped around’ the central area
• Solar gain control throughout the building

The accommodation provided within the school comprises:
• Thirty-nine classrooms
• Three music classrooms
• Three home economics rooms
• Twelve science laboratories
• Five craft, design and technology workshops
• Four art studios
• Six communal ICT suites
• A library, an assembly hall and modern kitchen and dining facilities.

The halls of residence include:

• A hundred bed spaces
• Six dedicated ASN bedrooms
• Dining for 100 residents
• En-suite in all bedrooms

SIC staff are now looking at issues such as what furniture can be transferred from the existing AHS, internal detailing, and the ICT requirements for the building.

Chairwoman of the SIC’s education and families committee, Vaila Wishart, said:  “This is an enormously complex project, and we were always aware that delays were possible, especially given that the process involves a number of partner organisations.

“Having said that, we’re on course to deliver a high quality, modern new school –  something which Shetland has badly needed for a number of years.  Our project team are working very closely with hub North Scotland to make sure the new school is the very best it can be to support future generations of young Shetlanders.”