Applegrove pupils unveil £4.5 million refurbishment

PUPILS at Applegrove Primary School in Forres unveiled a multi-million pound refurbished school this morning.

The oldest and youngest pupils, Helena in primary 7 and Emma in primary 1, had the honour of cutting the ribbon on the £4.5 million refurbishment, alongside Convener of Moray Council, Cllr James Allan, and Education Director, Laurence Findlay.

Contractors Morrison Construction spent a total of 90 weeks on site, with the works – funded by the Scottish Futures Trust and Moray Council - including full rewiring and replumbing, reconfiguring of classrooms and a mixture of new and upgraded roofing.

To help improve the efficiency of the building, new boilers were installed as well as new windows, doors and improved insulation.

The school has 290 pupils, who’ve been involved by helping to move classes and deciding on the finishing details for the inside of the building.

Headteacher, Lesley Meehan, said the school is now unrecognisable.

“It looks like a completely different school from the outside. Being an Eco-School is very important to us – we were recently awarded our sixth flag – and the work carried out will enable the school to be much more eco-friendly.

“We’re all glad to be starting the new school year with the building works being finished.”

Construction Manager for Morrison Construction, Alex Johnston, said they owed everyone involved in the project a big thank you.

“Without the cooperation of the school staff and pupils, it would not have been such a success.”

Forres councillor and Leader of Moray Council, George Alexander, said there were hopes that the refurbishment would make the school more attractive to prospective teachers.

“It’s an extremely well equipped school – I’m really impressed.

“The primary 7 pupils who led the tours have enjoyed living through the experience and have all been enthusiastic. Hopefully, as a result, we will see lots of them become civil engineers and tradespeople – watch this space!”