The highly anticipated opening of a new school campus in Tain, Easter Ross, has been postponed once again, now scheduled for April 22, 2026. This state-of-the-art facility is intended to accommodate students aged three to 18 and will replace several existing schools, including the Tain Royal Academy, which have been deemed no longer suitable for educational purposes.
Construction Challenges Persist
The new campus, designed to meet advanced Passivhaus standards, aims to provide an ultra-low energy environment that significantly reduces heating and cooling energy use. Despite the ambitious vision, the multimillion-pound project has faced multiple delays. Initially slated to welcome students in August 2024, the opening date has been pushed back several times due to various construction challenges.
In May 2023, the previously proposed opening in August 2025 was dismissed after encountering snagging issues, with October 2025 briefly considered as the new target. In October, a further adjustment moved the expected opening to February 2025. Now, according to a letter from Isobel Sinclair, the Highland Council’s area quality improvement manager, parents and guardians are informed of the latest delay to April 22, 2026.
Communication and Transition Plans
The letter provided limited details on the reasons for the most recent postponement but indicated that decisions were made following discussions between the Highland Council’s school estates team and education officials. It stated, “The contractors are working with the council staff on remaining actions before the building is handed over to the council.”
To facilitate the transition to the new facility, the council plans to seek approval from the Scottish Government for exceptional school closures on key dates surrounding the Easter holiday period, specifically April 2, April 20, and April 21. Once the building is officially handed over, the council will begin installing necessary ICT equipment, while also allowing groups of learners to visit the new campus as part of transition planning.
To further support this process, the Estates Team has distributed photographs and media to all schools involved, which will be shared with students, parents, and staff. Transition events tailored to individual schools will be communicated directly by each headteacher.
While preparations continue, some parents have expressed concerns regarding the implications of the new opening schedule, particularly as it falls close to exam periods for certain students.
Highland Council and Kier Construction have been approached for comments regarding the ongoing delays and the challenges faced in bringing the new campus to completion. A stakeholder group meeting is scheduled for the week commencing February 23, aimed at addressing any further concerns and ensuring transparency throughout the process.
The community remains hopeful that the new campus will ultimately provide a modern, efficient educational environment for future generations.
