30 August 2021

Formal agreement reached on Anna Ritchie School relocating to Peterhead Community Campus

It has now been formally agreed that Anna Ritchie School in Peterhead will relocate to the town’s proposed brand-new Community Campus.

Members of Aberdeenshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee approved officer recommendation within a report, following the formal consultation and extensive community engagement, on the move at their meeting on Thursday, August 26.

Head teacher Sharon Ferguson is pleased the move has been agreed. She said: “The facilities on offer at brand new community campuses are second-to-none. We are particularly excited for our school community to help shape plans, particularly for the outdoor facilities, and in the future have access to a whole new world of resources, enriching learning spaces and a really inviting, calm, modern environment.”

Extensive engagement of stakeholders and a rigorous consultation process has been ongoing since 2016 as part of the development process for the new campus. Various options have been considered in partnership with the local community, funding has been earmarked as part of the local authority’s Capital Plan and the site at Kinmundy was approved in 2019.

The Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 requires that local authorities undertake a formal consultation process whenever changes are proposed to the location or catchment area of a school. Various parts of this puzzle are ongoing, with the merger of Meethill and Dales Park School also moving to the next phase. Following in-depth discussion and acknowledgement by the education committee, a final decision on the merger and this aspect of the project will be made by Full Council in September.

Committee Chair Cllr Gillian Owen commented: “Peterhead Community Campus will deliver a 21st century facility that will provide excellent opportunities for learning for children and young people across Peterhead. It’s an opportunity for some of our primaries which wouldn’t otherwise be earmarked for investment to benefit from this exciting project.”

Vice Chair Cllr Rosemary Bruce added: “These little steps take us closer towards the design and completion of a fantastic new facility for Peterhead. Engagement with the local community has been extensive and is ongoing, and we hope to deliver an impressive learning hub which children and young people across the local area can enjoy in years to come.”

To read the report in full please visit Aberdeenshire Council - Committees and Meetings

To watch a webcast of the Education and Children’s Services Committee please visit Home - Aberdeenshire Council Webcasting (public-i.tv)