Aberdeen City Council’s Finance and Resources Committee agreed on 5 November a report on the progress of the six major capital works projects to education buildings around Aberdeen, such as Ferryhill School.

The capital works to Ferryhill School have November this year as the targeted completion date, according to the report to the committee.

It is undergoing a comprehensive refurbishment and extension of the existing Victorian school alongside associated reconfiguration and remodelling of the external spaces. 

The improved primary school will deliver an increased capacity for 522 pupils alongside the new 40 nursery places which opened in 2025, once it has reached completion. 

Education convener Councillor Martin Greig said: “It is great to hear the progression on the works to the school buildings at both a primary and secondary level.

“The Council is committed to updating existing schools or building new ones as appropriate as part of our commitment to ensuring pupils have the best possible learning environment.”

At St Peter’s RC Primary School, the project involves the refurbishment and extension of Old Aberdeen House to deliver a two-stream school for the pupils and staff. The school would cater for 434 pupils. 

Now, the project has hit contract close with a programmed construction completion for Winter 2027/28 and an operational opening date in early 2028.

For the replacement Hazlehead Academy, which caters for 1,600 pupils, the completion of the main steel structure and below-ground drainage is among the progress. 

The project is due to become operational in 2028 during the summer. Summer 2029 is the overall project completion date, following the demolition of the current school.

For the Harlaw Academy Extension, which will provide a covered external dining space, a new kitchen and dining space, and a new multi-use game area, the new kitchen and dining space was handed over to the school in the summer and is now operational.

The rooftop multi-use game area and external spaces are among the ongoing works. The report stated the covered external dining space and multi-use game area are on track to be completed in November 2026. 

An update was given on the Harlaw Road Pavilion stating that it was handed over to the school in August and is currently operational, with snagging works yet to be completed. 

The report noted progress on the Bucksburn Academy Extension, which will enable 300 additional pupil places to reach a roll of 1,000 pupils, and involves the delivery of three extensions to the school.

The project has received planning permission, the Stage 4 design has reached completion, and the works are being tendered, according to the updates. 

It has been suggested in current talks that a February 2027 site start might be possible and that this would prompt an opening in 2028.