Education / New Brae school could now open in 2028, estimates suggest
While work continues in the background on the project, a full business case is only expected to come before councillors in September next year
NEW estimated timescales suggest that a new Brae school could now open in August 2028.
Subject to the necessary approvals and go-ahead, work could commence in the second period of 2026.
The demolition of the former school could then be completed in 2029.
This is a revised timeline, given that at one point Shetland Islands Council (SIC) had hoped that the North Mainland campus could be open in 2027.
In January last year the SIC approved an outline business case for the Brae campus, with an estimated cost of approximately £42.5 million, subject to the approval of a full business case which has yet to come in front of elected members.
The Scottish Government has already committed to providing half of the funding, though this will come over a 25-year period.
Earlier this year Robertson Construction Group was announced as the preferred main contractor for the construction.
Initial designs have already been released, and some public consultation events have been held.
The new school could be built where the existing grass pitch sits, and there is a plan to demolish the old building.
A pitch could be reinstated in the area where existing buildings would be demolished.
An update included in a report presented to a meeting of the SIC’s education and families committee on Monday morning said: “The project is progressing well, following stakeholder and contractor discussions the design team are refining the new school proposals for approval.
“The contractor will then update financial costs, which will be incorporated into the cost plan.
“Stage 1 is forecast for completion November 2025.
“Subject to approval, works will commence in the second period of 2026. The school is scheduled to open August 2028, with the demolition of the current school and completion of external works scheduled for completion for August 2029.
“Dates have been revised to reflect the contractor’s input into the design and project development discussions.”
Councillors were also told that there will be an elected members seminar on the project in March, with the aim of having the full business case ready for September.
The existing primary school building at Brae was built in the 70s and the adjacent secondary building followed in the early 1980s.
Former children’s services director Helen Budge told councillors in 2024 that the current school, which covers three to 18 year olds across nursery, primary and secondary, no longer meets the needs of the community.
It was said that this was particularly the case for ASN [additional support needs] pupils.
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