Argyll and Bute Council’s ambitious proposal for a new 2-18 learning campus at Tobermory on Mull took a step forward with the holding of a formal meeting, part of its ongoing consultation in line with the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.
The meeting, on 17 September, was about the proposed relocation of the existing school campus at Erray Road to a new purpose built facility at the South of Tobermory, which has been reinvigorated after a delay of approximately a year because of legal proceedings. This remains the Council’s top investment priority in terms of its schools and currently forecast to cost around £46 million.
Over 70 people attended and after an introduction by the Council’s Policy Lead for Education heard presentations from Council Officers on the proposal.
The proposal is based on delivering a new, purpose-built, single-site campus that will address the limitations of the current campus by providing high-quality, inclusive and accessible learning environments, improved specialist teaching spaces, enhanced digital infrastructure, better indoor and outdoor learning opportunities, and facilities capable of supporting community use.
The Council spoke about the educational benefits of the new campus which will be fully responsive to future learning requirements, and the design process will ensure that all spaces support innovative learning and teaching, including digital opportunities and a wide curriculum which support lifelong learning.
Inclusion and accessibility are central to the proposal. A purpose-built campus can be designed so that pupils with different needs can participate more fully in school life, to include enhanced outdoor learning opportunities.
Better specialist spaces can strengthen the range and quality of learning experiences available to pupils across the campus. Taken together, these are not cosmetic improvements. They describe a change in the quality, accessibility and flexibility of the learning environment.
At the outset, the Council was clear that the meeting was not about revisiting either a location other than Tobermory, or a single campus, with both of these issues having previously been determined. It was also made clear that the new Tobermory Campus was still evolving. While there have been initial discussions with young people, and the Council has produced high level illustrations of what a new campus could look like (shared on its website) understandably, some of those attending were eager for more detail. The Council representatives were clear that there was still a long way to go before more definitive proposals are developed for engagement with the school community.
The replacement campus requires to be much more efficient than the existing building in usage of space and energy consumption. Current projections show substantial improvements through the proposal: sports hall capacity will increase by more than 80%, early years play space will be over 25% larger and overall the total indoor space will be larger. There will also be a larger formal sized pitch than currently provided at the existing campus, a new modern Community Gym, Library and community space provisions.
The developing £46 million proposal depends on investment from the Scottish Government’s Learning Estates Investment Programme (LEIP). This provides funding of up to 50% for a like for like replacement.
With the council required to fund at least 50% of the cost, and costs of delivering a campus greater on an island, the council has in recent months engaged with the Cabinet Secretary for Education, following an indication from the first Minister in the Scottish Parliament that there could be flexibilities for Island projects. A further meeting is scheduled for 29th September
The formal consultation process closes on 2nd October. After that His Majesty’s Inspectorate for Education (HMIE), who have been involved in the consultation, and were present at last Thursday’s meeting, will produce a report which will inform a further report to Councillors, the intention being that this will take place before the end of the year. Within the same timescale Councillors will also be given an update on the costs of the project.
Councillor Kieron Green, Policy Lead for Education said:“Thank you to everyone who came along to the meeting. We heard a range of questions and views. We would encourage everyone with an interest in a new campus to get involved and give their perspective.”
The consultation online runs until 2 October- Tobermory 2 - 18 Campus Consultation | Argyll and Bute Council
