Education / End nears for ‘temporary’ classroom huts built in the 1970s
“TEMPORARY” classrooms at Dunrossness Primary School which were built in the late 1970s are in line to be demolished.
Elected members gave their final approval to the demolition project at a meeting of the full council on Wednesday.
The project includes demolishing the block of four temporary classrooms, toilets and a link corridor, as well as making good the site and refurbishing and repurposing parts of the remaining school building.
In total the work could cost £150,000.
A report to councillors said the temporary classroom substructure, constructed using concrete block, is failing with a risk that parts of the building could collapse if the condition deteriorates further.
“The problem came to light when a contractor was on site to erect new fencing and uncovered holes and erosion in said blockwork,” it added.
The report said lower primary classes and an ASN classroom housed in the huts have successfully been decanted to the main school.
It also said that with an increasing number of ASN pupils in Shetland, the project marks an opportunity improve provision within the school.
“There used to be a swimming pool in Dunrossness Primary School which was filled in thus leaving a large space which until recently, has been underutilised,” the report said.
“With some alteration, this space can be made into a flexible, versatile space fulfilling the needs not only of the current cohort of pupils but also of those in years to come.”
The school has a capacity of 210 and the roll in 2023 was 40 per cent – or 85 bairns. The roll is forecast to increase slightly in the coming years.
Council officials said the project would decrease the school’s footprint, making it easier to maintain and heat, while improving facilities.
Learning estate manager Shona Thompson told Wednesday’s meeting that as it stands Dunrossness is not fully accessible, with the building on various levels.
She said that although improvements are being planned, it will still not be fully accessible once the work is done.
However, councillors were told that Sandwick would be used as a hub for pupils in the South Mainland with particular mobility needs.
Thompson added that the headteacher, who has been liaising with parents, pupils and staff, is pleased with the plans drawn up.
Education and families committee chairman Davie Sandison said his one plea was that the project is not “pushed into the long grass”.
“There’s a need for this to be done to make the school fit for purpose now,” he added.
A report to councillors highlighted that the £150,000 cost cannot be met from within the existing approved capital or revenue budgets for 2024/25, and will “therefore require to await prioritisation in future years’ budgets”.
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