Mull Campus Project

• The funding is for a like for like 2-18 campus which is a combined early learning centre, primary and secondary school. The funding was awarded because the existing Tobermory  campus continues to deteriorate and requires investment
• Regardless of the location selected, when the new 2-18 campus opens, the existing Tobermory school buildings will no longer be used to provide education
• If the location chosen is outwith Tobermory this is likely to trigger a review of school catchment areas across the islands
• There is no intention or plan to close any of the other primary schools across the islands
• None of the above will impact on a parent’s entitlement to make a placing request to a school of their choice

The Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) is the Scottish Government’s flagship programme for investment in education and is now into Phase 3.  It is the successor to the ‘Schools for the Future’ programme which saw our Council deliver a number of new builds and substantial refurbishments across our education estate. 

The Council has a strong track record of building modern schools with the successful delivery of Campbeltown Grammar, Kirn Primary, Dunoon Primary, Oban High, Hermitage Academy, Rothesay Joint Campus, Lochgilphead Joint Campus, Dunoon Grammar and Oban Primary Campus).

On 30th October 2023, the Scottish Government (SG) confirmed that the Council has been successful in its bid for Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) funding to deliver a new Campus on Mull. 

Even with regional collaboration, the delivery of a new campus on Mull will be one of the most significant projects in terms of cost and complexity the Council has delivered for many years.  The funding offered by the SG is not a grant nor is it for the full cost of the building – it will cover up to 50% of eligible costs and SG will then offer financing for this sum over 25 years on the basis that certain criteria are met.  These criteria include ‘condition of the building’ (to be maintained as Grade A or B for lifetime), ‘energy efficiency’, ‘digitally enabled’ and ‘supportive of economic development’. Recently added criteria also apply to things like embodied carbon, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, outdoor learning and infection control. 

Costs for elements such as purchase of land, residential / hostel accommodation, operational or running / revenue costs and design development fees are excluded from the LEIP funding that is provided, so Council would need to meet these in full. Building modern schools to high digital and environmental standards comes at a cost premium as does delivering a project on an island due to logistical challenges of getting labour and materials to site. 

As well as the direct educational benefits a modern new campus will provide for learners this investment has potential to act as an economic catalyst and hugely improve community infrastructure on the island.  In line with other modern schools in our area they can deliver wider benefits outside the school day including further education, leisure, clubs, cultural events, gyms, bookable rooms and high quality business space

The project brief, concept design and outline business case activities will take place during 2025, aiming for Outline Business Case approval by the end of 2025. That is the next decision gateway point where the Council will review the updated case and confirm whether they are content to move to Full Business Case development.

The Full Business Case, including more detailed proposals for the campus and costs will be considered again by councillors in late 2026 and approval would allow the campus to move to construction phase. These timescales are estimates at this early stage and will be reviewed as the project moves forward, with the community being kept updated of any significant changes.

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In 2022, a series of pre-engagement events were held in the local community prior to submitting the bid to the Scottish Government for LEIP funding for a new Mull Campus.

You can see the feedback from the engagement events here - Mull Campus - pre-engagement

You can also see a copy of the submission to the Scottish Government for LEIP funding. This bid was successful, with Argyll and Bute Council confirmed as one of only 10 successful projects across Scotland to share in the £450m to £500million pounds of funding available - find about more about our successful bid in our press release - A new campus on Mull a step closer (30th October 2023)

Q: When will the shortlist of sites be available? 

The shortlist will be publicly available in February 2025, when a meeting of the Council will consider the options and make a decision on a preferred site.

Q: Will the community have a say on the shortlist?

Site selection is not straightforward and will consider a multitude of factors, including technical suitability, cost, risk, transport impact, feedback from the community engagement exercise and various impact assessments, which are underway. These include Economic, Equalities, Island Communities Impact, Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact and a Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment. Whilst we appreciate and value community feedback, site selection has to consider all these factors and cannot be selected through a community ballot.

Q: Where can I find the most up to date Project information?

A: We have a dedicated project webpage on the Council website, which can be found at Mull Campus Project. Additionally, should you have any queries or questions you wish to clarify, you can contact the team at mull.campus@argyll-bute.gov.uk and a response will be provided.

Q: What does LEIP Funding cover?

A: The Scottish Government confirmed that LEIP funding had been awarded to Argyll & Bute Council to build a new 2 – 18 Campus on Mull (a combined early learning centre, primary and secondary school) on 30th October 2023, subject to the Campus achieving a number of quality, environmental, space, function and condition standards. 

On 25th April 2024, Argyll and Bute Councillors approved the Project Team to prepare an Outline Business Case for the new Campus, which will receive up to 50% funding of eligible costs. The new Campus will be funded on a “like for like” basis, which means that funding is based on the existing pupil capacity numbers, and community facilities within the existing Tobermory Campus. Any facilities beyond or above the “like for like” criteria (for example, land purchase, a hostel, a commercial hub or an additional sports hall) would not be funded by LEIP. 

Q: How will the new Campus Site be chosen?

A: A “Call for Sites” was issued in September, asking members of the community to contact the team to advise of sites that may be suitable for the new campus. Public sector partners (Forestry Land Scotland, Housing Associations etc.) were also contacted to determine potential site availability.

Additionally, the Project Team held Community Engagement Events across Mull and Iona, where members of the public were invited to share their views on what was important to them, when determining a site for the Campus.

Information received at these events, and subsequently through e-mail correspondence, will be analysed and taken into account through a detailed review process, which will also consider factors such as Site Constraints (ground conditions, topography flood risk etc.); Operational Suitability (ability to deliver a 21st century learning environment, quality of external environment for learning etc.); Community Priorities; Accessibility (public transport provision in proximity to site, distance from population centres, estimated number and duration of user journeys – bus, car, pedestrian etc.); Sustainability (potential for connection to renewable sources, carbon impact of travel) and Affordability. 

All suitable sites advised will be reviewed in line with the same parameters, and this will all form part of a fairly complex scoring exercise where each site will be scored on each of the individual criteria, and the total of all those elements combined (community and technical) will generate a final score. This will inform a recommendation paper which will be presented to councillors to make the final decision on the preferred site for the 2-18 campus.  That paper will include the assessment scores, the community engagement report and a detailed transport assessment which is being commissioned to illustrate the travel impact of each site option and the decision will be made on the basis of that combined information.

Q: Will it be possible to have a “split” site, with Early Learning/Primary facilities in Tobermory and a High School located more centrally?

A:  LEIP funding is based on a “like for like” replacement basis. This means that funding is based on the existing pupil capacity numbers, and community facilities within the existing Tobermory Campus only (inclusive of the Nursery, Primary School, High School, College, Community spaces, Library and sports facilities).

Any facilities beyond or above the ‘like for like’ criteria are not funded by LEIP.  The Council would therefore require to fund 100% of those additional spaces.  

Campus facilities have greater efficiency and affordability than separate or split site projects which would need at least two buildings with two sets of accommodation to meet LEIP requirements, such as dining / games hall, commercial kitchens, pitches, staff rooms, plant / server rooms and external spaces.   2x building projects would also require additional preliminary construction costs including roads, car parking, site compounds and utilities connections.  This doubling up of facilities and project costs would add significant additional cost to the proposals and, as the funding position would remain “like for like” with the existing facility, meaning additional spaces or costs would not be funded by LEIP. 

In addition to this ‘doubling up’ of spaces, from a construction point of view, a split site would have higher than single site operational and revenue costs compared to a campus as there would be at least 2 x utilities costs, non domestic rates, cleaning, maintenance costs and enhanced staffing / supervision costs.  

LEIP funding is also contingent upon that the project being open to pupils by December 2027.  With a current estimate of construction completion in early 2029 the Council have already informed the Scottish Government we are likely to exceed this timescale which puts the project at a degree of risk.  Again, the view is splitting the site would likely increase the project planning and construction timescale even further therefore increasing this risk.  

The council approval for the project to proceed in April 2024 was on the basis of a single construction project of a 2-18 campus. This is what the team will continue to progress.  

As outlined above it would not be financially affordable to have two separate construction projects and operational school sites. This would present a much greater financial challenge to the council’s capital and revenue (operational and staffing) budgets with an increased risk of the project not receiving outline or full business case approval due to affordability.

As well as the Council perspective, the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) have indicated there is no other identified sources of funding to support a split site beyond the package already offered as part of the LEIP funding which has been reported to Council.  

The Council acknowledges that the engagement process has yet to be included and confirms all representations will be considered but given the circumstances outlined above the Council’s position is that the option of splitting the Mull Campus is not one which could be afforded.

Q: Has the current site in Tobermory been ruled out as a location for the new Campus?

A: The current Tobermory school site will be considered as part of the site appraisal process.

Q: Should the new campus be located outwith Tobermory, will there be a legal requirement to maintain a pre-5 unit in Tobermory?

A: There is no legal requirement regarding ELC locations. 

Q: Who determines the school catchment areas for Argyll and Bute?

A: Argyll and Bute Council at the point of disaggregation inherited catchment areas for schools. If a review of school catchment areas were to take place a consultation with all stakeholders would be undertaken on the Proposal. This consultation exercise would proceed under the terms of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 (“the Act”).

Q: Is there a maximum time and distance that can be travelled, and does it differ according to the age of the child?

A: There is not a limit set out within legislation for the length/distance of travel for a pupil, this is considered on a case-by-case basis with regard to a number of factors relevant to that particular community. Travel distances and durations will be considered however, and inform the Site Analysis process.

Q: My child currently attends Oban High School. Will this remain an option, should a new campus be centrally located?

A: Should the new 2-18 Campus be located out with Tobermory that would result in a review of school catchment areas, and consideration would be given at that point.  Parents retain their right to make a placing request. Where a placing request is granted parents are responsible for the transport of their child to the requested school.

Q: What is the timescale for the Project?

A: Site appraisal & selection activities are scheduled to run from September to December 2024.

The next project decision point is consideration of our Outline Business Case (OBC) at the end of 2025. If it is approved, it gives us permission to develop a detailed design and Full Business Case (FBC). 

The purpose of these business cases is to demonstrate to the council that the project remains affordable and deliverable. Both Outline and Full Business Cases need to be approved by the council before we can start building.

Project briefing, concept design and outline business case (OBC) development will take place during 2025 with the OBC being considered by the Council at the end of 2025. Approval of the OBC by the Council allows us to move to full business case in 2026, which if approved, will allow the construction phase to commence late 2026. Funding has been awarded on the basis that the new Campus will be opened by the December 2027, but with the delay in the funding announcement the LEIP team have indicated that this could potentially be extended.

Q: If the school needs to be replaced “like for like” does that allow for an increased population, and larger/more facilities?

A: The LEIP funding we receive will be on a like for like basis. However when planning for the capacity required for the new school the Council will take account of future school roll projections. These are based on a number of factors including planning decisions for housing. Any additional capacity over and above what is funded by LEIP will require to be funded by the council. It should be borne in mind that school capacity is incremental, as classrooms will be sized in line with maximum permitted class sizes (e.g. 25 pupils in a composite primary class). Therefore a school sized to accommodate 80 children will still need 4 classrooms, providing capacity for at least 100.

The ability of each site to accommodate future expansion (if required) will also be a factor considered during the site selection exercise.

Q: Given the level of housing development proposed throughout the Island, including ninety new houses in Craignure, how will the new campus be future proofed? 

A: The funding for the new Campus is like for like which includes pupil rolls. The team are closely monitoring projected rolls as new housing is created and will take this into consideration when planning the capacity of the new facility. 

Q: Is there an opportunity for partner organisations to secure funding for aspects of the project? 

A: We are open to discussions with potential funding partners, and ideas have been put forward during the community engagement which the team will follow up where possible.  We are actively engaging with other organisations, e.g. for sports and athletics, and will explore potential funding opportunities with them if these exist. Local development trusts (MICT, South West Mull & Iona Development and North West Mull Community Woodland Company) are represented on our Community Sounding Board. 

In addition, the team are being supported by hub North Scotland ltd as part of their wider LEIP North Schools Programme. Mull Campus is one of 8 schools being delivered as part of the programme, co-ordinated by hub North. This is a collaborative partnership-based approach involving five local Councils in the North of Scotland, including two island Councils (Shetland and Orkney). It aims to reduce duplication, strengthen and share knowledge, leading to better quality buildings and more efficient and cost-effective project delivery.

Accessibility 

Q. If a new campus and School is being looked at could the location and access for full size coaches be a factor. 

A. The location will form part of the Detailed Options Appraisal. Once a site has been selected, the design will require to look at appropriate pick up and drop off locations. 

Q. Will there be a bus to pick you up? 

A. School Transport will be made available in line with the Council’s Pupil Transport Policy 

Q. Will the roads be improved to aid the children transport to a new campus? 

A. This does not fall within the boundaries of the LEIP funding application and therefore any road infrastructure beyond the site boundary will not be looked at as part of this project. 

Buildings 

Q. What will happen to the school estate? Please don't sell off the primary schools 

Q. My concern is that if it's a 2-18 year campus, the council will close all the small village primary schools and very young kids in outlying areas will be forced to travel for two hours a day. 

A. There is currently no intention to amalgamate or close schools, unless as part of the Consultation process the islands communities indicate that there is a clear desire to look at this. 

Q. Could the Council collaborate with BE-ST (https://www.be-st.build/) to consider sustainable and innovative solutions to the challenges of island building and climate conditions? This is an opportunity to aim for the highest standards, and not just build to cost 

A. It is a criteria of LEIP funding that the building meets stringent environmental standards. The Mull Campus project is part of a number of schools across Scotland that will require consultant experts to advise on all aspects of the build.

Q. Why do we need a new school? 

A. The Learning Estate Strategy agreed by elected members at Council in August 2021 looked at all the schools in Argyll and Bute and a suitability survey was carried out on each school. Both suitability and condition surveys are criteria led and include aspects such as accessibility, purpose built spaces and social spaces. The Strategy set out an ambition for all schools to be category A or B (good/ satisfactory). The overall Suitability band for Tobermory High School was category C (poor). As this is the only secondary school within Argyll and Bute with a category C for Suitability, and the primary school across the whole school estate with the lowest suitability scoring, it was considered to be a priority. 

Q. When would the building be built? 

A. It is anticipated that construction would start in 2027 with the school opening in early 2029. These timescales are estimates and will be reviewed and updated as the project progresses.

Q. Will it be a primary and secondary school? 

Q. Might a junior secondary help with very young children having to leave home at 11 years? 

A. The application for LEIP funding was awarded for a 2-18 campus on Mull. 

Community 

Q. If a campus was built nearer Tobermory, would there be accommodation for children? 

A. Hostel accommodation does not qualify for LEIP funding. If there was a clear desire from the Islands to deliver this, there would need to be alternative funding to support it. 

Q. Will our children still have the option to attend Oban High School and will the hostel be funded for us still? 

A. There will still be an option to attend Oban High School.

Location

Q. Where will the new school be? 

 A. The location of the school will be determined by a detailed Options Appraisal on sites across Mull to determine the best location for the Campus. This is due to commence in the autumn of 2024.

Q. Could we have two high schools instead of one big new one, one school in the north and one in the south of the island?

 A. There will be a lot of competition for funding. The Funding award is only for one new campus on Mull. 

Nursery / Pre 5 

Q. After Salen ELC being recently refurbed, will that building then continue to provide ELC provision? 

Q. Will all the primary and nursery schools be closed and all the children on the island have to travel to the new school? 

A. The capacity provided by our ELCs will still be required. There is no intention to change ELC settings. 

Facilities 

Q. What will the new school be like and what indoor and outdoor facilities will it include?

A. The exact requirements of the new school will be determined through engagement during the design brief and design development stages of the project. 

Staffing 

Q. Will there be any new teachers? 

A. School staffing is determined by pupil numbers and schools have delegated responsibility for recruitment. If the roll of the school rises this could lead to new teaching staff 

Other 

Q. Why weren't bids put in a (LEIP) phase 1 or 2? 

A. The Council was not in a position to make a commitment to the LEIP funding process until now 

Q. What will you do to ensure that the children of Mull are heard, and that their rights are respected? 

A. The Council is clear as to the statutory duties placed on it in terms of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010. That legislation identifies a number of “relevant stakeholders” who the Council must directly engage with as part of any consultation exercise should the bid be successful and should a “relevant proposal” (in terms of the Act) be formulated. In addition, given the potential impacts on some of our island communities, the Council will also consider whether it is necessary to conduct an Islands Communities Impact Assessment (in terms of the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018) alongside the 2010 Act consultation, at the relevant point in the overall process. The Education Service will supported by colleagues from the Northern Alliance and Education Scotland in terms of the processes to be followed and fulfilling the Council’s numerous statutory duties.