Deputy First Minister opens Baldragon Academy

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, John Swinney MSP, officially opened the new £28.7 million Baldragon Academy.

Pupils celebrated the opening with music and Mr Swinney unveiled a plaque to commemorate the opening of the new Dundee City Council secondary.

Completion of the new school finalised an educational campus for the area, including the £8.1 million replacement for Sidlaw View Primary School and Jessie Porter Nursery.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: "In the last ten years this Government has massively improved the school estate right across Scotland. Since 2007, 751 school building projects have been completed and we have invested £1.8 billion as part of the Schools for the Future building programme. Our infrastructure investment has ensured that teachers are able to teach their pupils in dynamic, high tech facilities, which is vital if we are to meet the future learning needs of our children young people.

"I am delighted to be at the official opening of Baldragon Academy which was given over £19.5 million of Scottish Government funding in order to help deliver this fantastic new development here in Dundee. The excellent partnership working with Dundee City Council, The Scottish Government and Scottish Futures Trust has enabled pupils attending Baldragon Academy to be transferred into state-of-the-art accommodation."

Councillor Gregor Murray, City Council Children and Families Service Convener said: "This impressive replacement for Baldragon Academy shows how we are investing for the future of our young people through an ambitious building programme

"The new school is providing state of the art facilities to meet the challenges that our pupils will face in the years ahead.

"The new Baldragon Academy, along with the nursery and primary schools, is another major enhancement of learning and teaching facilities in Dundee.

"This educational campus will provide an inspirational learning environment for pupils ranging in age from nursery children to young people preparing to leave school to take up new opportunities."

The project was led by hub East Central Scotland in partnership with Dundee City Council, Scottish Futures Trust and Robertson.

Gary Bushnell, Chief Executive at hub East Central Scotland, said, "We are proud to have managed the successful delivery of the project from initial design to completion and it's great to see staff and pupils enjoying their new school, which has been built to the highest standards to meet the needs of the community it serves."

Kevin Dickson, Managing Director, Robertson Tayside, said: "Baldragon Academy is an example of a modern school that has a clear focus on delivering the best experience possible for both pupils and staff. The project is one Robertson is immensely proud of, and our site team were pleased to receive a Gold Award from the Considerate Constructors Scheme in recognition of the standards employed throughout the build. We wish everyone at Baldragon Academy well for the future, and trust that the shared campus will provide an ideal learning environment for generations to come."