Decision due for new school campus on Mull

A decision could be made next week on a new school campus on Mull – with council officials indicating that additional funding may be available for the project.

Councillors are invited to decide whether a new building is affordable, and agree that up to £5m of funding be used to start a business case.

However, if it is considered unaffordable, an allocation of funding to refurbish the current Tobermory High School will need to be considered at a future council meeting.

Residents attended the last scheduled Argyll and Bute Council meeting in February, arguing the case for a new campus on Mull.

A decision was deferred until next Thursday’s full council meeting, which will be the first since an SNP-led group took over leadership of the council.

Executive director Kirsty Flanagan said in a report: “The Scottish Government and Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) have also intimated that a project on Mull may be eligible for additional funding due to its island location, recognising it costs significantly more to construct major complex buildings in remote locations.

“Whilst this additional ‘locational uplift’ is not currently written into the conditions of funding or LEIP (Learning Estate Investment Programme) agreement they have confirmed there is precedent with other rural and island LEIP projects and it is likely a similar approach could be applied to the Mull campus project.

“Locational factors would cover the known additional costs that relate to construction in island or rural areas such as cost of raw materials, costs of labour, travel, extra build time, extreme weather and waste disposal.”

Ms Flanagan added: “A new building will be fully responsive to future learning requirements and the design process will ensure that all spaces support learning and teaching styles of the 21st century.

“It will be designed to be an inspiring learning environment which is fully able to support new and innovative digital learning and engage pupils with the curriculum.

“Facilities such as science labs, technology workshop, Gaelic immersion space, music suites, and library will support and enhance learning. These facilities will also benefit pupils who access mainstream or learning centre provision learning arrangements across the wider campus.

“Outdoor learning will also be improved for all learners and will be at the heart of the design process. This will provide enhanced opportunities for learning beyond the classroom for all learners.

“All of these educational benefits will deliver improved educational outcomes for children and young people included further developing positive ethos engendered by the inspiring surroundings and environment, and the pride pupils, families and the whole community feel in a new campus.”