After more than a year of construction work, the brand new Kinlochleven primary school and high school have passed an independent building inspection and are now ready to welcome pupils at the start of the new academic year in August.

The new £11.7 million school is the first joint primary and secondary school ever to be built in the Highlands and is the ninth and tenth of the 11 new rural and urban community schools being built by Morrison Construction under the Highland Council’s second education PPP scheme to handover.

Derek Chambers, Morrison Construction's Project Director for the Highland Schools project, said: "Just over two years ago the first turf was cut to mark the beginning of the Highland Council's most exciting school building project. Today, ten schools have been handed over - five of which have now completed the first academic year in their brand new facility and five that will start the new term in their new schools.

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"There is a tremendous sense of pride within the company at handing over these schools, particularly in the way that they are already benefiting - and will continue to benefit - the local communities."

The new secondary school provision will feature general and specialist classrooms, a joint integrated unit for pupils with additional support needs, and pupil support provision.

PE provisions at the secondary include a games hall, fitness room, changing areas and in September 2009 an all-weather pitch.

Library provision is for both public and school use with open and distance learning facilities including video conferencing, office and storage space available.

Scottish Arts Council has contributed to the funding of the performance venue, which will cater for around 150 people and will feature a projection room and storage.

The new primary school will feature five classrooms, its own resource/library area, a nursery room including quiet room and protected outdoor nursery play area and a multi purpose hall.

Outdoor facilities will include a hard play area, grass pitch and other play areas; drop-off for cars and buses, car parking and a secure cycle compound.

The final project under construction is Millburn Academy which is on schedule to handover in September.

(CD/JM)