Council progresses on future Primary School provision in Wick

23rd November 2011

Progress on the future provision of Primary Schools in Wick has been outlined this week by The Highland Council.

Earlier this month on 10 November, members of The Highland Council's Education, Culture and Sport Committee heard the outcomes of statutory consultations on the proposed amalgamation of Hillhead Primary School and North Primary School and the proposed amalgamation of Pulteneytown Academy Primary and South Primary School in Wick.

Members of the ECS Committee agreed to recommend to The Highland Council that:
•education provision at the existing Hillhead and North Primary Schools be discontinued, with a new primary school established on the site of the existing North Primary School; and that the existing school catchments of Hillhead and North Primary Schools be combined to serve the new primary school;
•education provision at the existing Pulteneytown Academy and South Primary Schools be discontinued; a new primary school be established on a joint campus with the Wick High School site; and the existing school catchments of Pulteneytown Academy and South Primary Schools be combined to serve the new primary school; and
•to alter the delineation of the school catchment areas to match the natural boundary of the River Wick with effect from the date of the new schools opening, i.e. pupils living to the north and south of the River Wick would attend schools respectively in the north and south sides of the river.

Chairman of the Council's Education, Culture and Sport Committee, Councillor Bill Fernie said: "This has been a very thorough and painstaking process and I believe that the recommendations are very sound. Along with the new Wick High School we have a unique opportunity to renew the whole education provision in the town of Wick and create a real focus for the future of the community. These developments along with the new High school and community facilities that include a new library and swimming pool will make Wick for its size one of the best in Scotland. Additionally there will be almost three years of welcome construction work for the area."

The next stages of the statutory consultation process on the future Primary School provision in Wick are that the recommendations from members of the ECS Committee will be presented to the next meeting of The Highland Council on 15 December 2011.

If the Council approves the proposals, the deadline for representations to Scottish Ministers under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 would be 4 January 2012. Scottish Ministers would then have until 25 January 2012 to decide whether or not to call-in the proposal.

The Highland Council is committed to complying with the requirements of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 and will therefore take no actions until 26 January 2012 (or earlier if no representations are made to Ministers) that could be construed as implementing the proposals.

An indicative timescale for the Wick schools project is to consult and design in year 2012; begin construction of the 3-18 year old campus in 2013, and the new school north of the river in 2014 with both new schools opening together in the summer of 2015.

Subject to agreement by The Highland Council, the Council would dispose of the sites and buildings currently occupied by Hillhead Primary School and South Primary School in accordance with current Highland Council policy and the requirements of the title deeds of the property.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Educational Institutions

Fewer Children, More Difficult Decisions: The Future of Highland's Schools

For many years Highland Council has faced difficult decisions over small rural schools.   Some have closed, others have been mothballed, and communities have often argued that a village school is about much more than the number of children sitting in its classrooms.  

Today : Local Authority

Glasgow’s 23,000 Council Workers Face a Major Pay Shake-Up

Glasgow City Council has taken a dramatic step in its long-running equal-pay dispute, giving notice that it intends to end existing pay arrangements for its non-teaching workforce unless an agreement can be reached with the trade unions.   Around 23,000 employees are affected.  

Today : Employment Services

What Are the Options for Scottish Pupils Who Do Not Want the Traditional Academic Route?

Parents of teenagers in England are being told that they will need to understand a new range of vocational qualifications as their children approach the age of 14.   The Career Development Institute has welcomed the introduction of new Vocational GCSEs, which are due to start being introduced in England from 2029.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

The £27 Million Energy Bill Facing Highland Council – And NHS Highland's Hidden Cost

Rising energy prices are a problem for households and businesses, but there is another very large energy bill that receives much less attention.   Highland Council operates one of the largest public-sector property estates in Scotland, while NHS Highland runs hospitals, health centres, clinics and other facilities across an enormous geographical area.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Public invited to Justice Service open days in Fort William and Wick

The Highland Council’s Justice Social Work teams in Lochaber and Caithness will be hosting open days in Fort William on Tuesday 6 October and Wick on Friday 9 October 2026.   The open days will provide members of the public with an opportunity to gain an insight into the Justice Service and find out more about the excellent work going on locally.  

23/9/2026 : Local Authority

Launch of New Transport Service for Renal Patients in Highland

NHS Highland and The Highland Council are pleased to announce the launch of a new bespoke year-round transport service for renal haemodialysis patients across Highland.   Funded through a grant from NHS Highland, the service marks the first phase of a new approach to patient transport delivery, designed to support the long-term development of a more sustainable, flexible and community-focused transport model for Highland.  

23/9/2026 : Local Authority

Economy and Infrastructure Committee to consider next steps on proposed Short Term Let Control Areas

Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee will meet next Monday (28 September 2026) to consider whether to progress proposals for new Short Term Let Control Areas across parts of Highland.   At the special meeting, councillors will be asked to consider the findings of a public consultation on proposed control areas covering Inverness City and a wider Highland Rural area, before deciding whether the proposals should be submitted to Scottish Ministers for approval.  

22/9/2026 : Local Authority

Scotland's Local Government Reform: More Local Power or Mainly a Search for Savings?

The Scottish Government is proposing a major reshaping of local government, with fewer regional authorities and many more community-level bodies making decisions closer to where people live.   The language is about local democracy, stronger communities and bringing decisions closer to people.  

22/9/2026 : Local Authority

Local Government Set For Huge Changes

Initial proposals designed to deliver fundamental reform of local governance have been set out to help shape the debate on improving public services.   The possible changes, if implemented, could help achieve a better balance of decision-making powers across the public sector to ensure investment is focused on delivering improved services.  

21/9/2026 : Local Authority

Council Tax Reform: Just How Many Scots Took Part in the Debate?

Council tax is one of those bills that most households know only too well.   It arrives every month or in a series of instalments, and it helps pay for services ranging from rubbish collection and roads to schools, social care and other council services.