Topping out landmark in construction of new £13 million city school

30 October 2017

Today (Monday 30 October) saw the topping out ceremony at the new £13 million Stoneywood School.

Council Co-Leaders Jennifer Laing and Douglas Lumsden, along with Councillor John Wheeler, Education and Children’s Services Convener, and representatives from the project’s main contractor, Morgan Sindall, attended the rooftop plaque unveiling at the site of the former Bankhead Academy, which was gutted by fire in 2012.

Funding for the new Stoneywood School was allocated in Aberdeen City Council's five-year Capital Programme and the project followed a public consultation in which the majority of responses were in favour of both the new school and the new site.

The new school has the capacity to house 434 pupils and will also include a nursery.

Councillor Wheeler said: “This is a fantastic milestone for the new Stoneywood School which will be another amazing addition to capital investment in education across Aberdeen. This year alone we have seen the opening of £5 million Greenbrae School extension and the ground-breaking Centre of Excellence at Orchard Brae and we also have the new Lochside Academy to look forward to as well.”

“We’re delighted that pupils and staff at Stoneywood will have such a great facility to come to when the new school year begins in August”.

Head Teacher Gael Ross said: “We are such a strong community at Stoneywood, pupils, staff and parents alike. It will be fantastic to further develop and enhance the learning opportunities of our school community within our new building and grounds. It is a very exciting time for us all. “

Stuart Parker, managing director of Morgan Sindall in Scotland, said: “Topping out is an important milestone in a construction project and it’s great to mark the occasion.

“We’re very pleased to be making such good progress on what is a valuable addition to the education offering in the local area, and one which breathes new life and purpose into a derelict site.”