Project Outline
The Moray Council wishes to replace Elgin Academy and Keith Primary with new schools, to be built through a public private
partnership. This will be carried out using the Non-Profit Distributing model as proposed by the Scottish Government and will
be procured through European Commission procurement rules using competitive dialogue.
Elgin Academy is a six year secondary school with a current (September 2007) roll of 987 pupils. It is proposed to replace this school
with a new school with enhanced community facilities, on the current site at Morriston Drive, Elgin. The existing school would
then be demolished and playing fields constructed.
Aerial view of proposed new school at Elgin Academy. 
413KB
448KBProject update 26 November 2009
Preferred Bidder appointed for PPP Project
We are delighted to say that the Council has selected the INPP Consortium as Preferred Bidder for the project to rebuild Elgin
Academy and Keith Primary School.
Project Board Chair Jeff Hamilton welcomed the appointment. “This is a major step towards the replacement of these schools,
which will provide state of the art facilities for staff and pupils, new facilities for the local communities, and will also
boost the local economy by creating construction jobs” he said.
The winning Consortium is made up of International Public Partnerships, an international investor in PPP infrastructure projects
which is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is managed and advised by Amber Infrastructure Limited; Stewart Milne Group
from Aberdeen, who will design and build the schools; and Operon from Leeds, who will design the mechanical and electrical
services and design and install the furniture and equipment, and will also be responsible for the facilities management and
maintenance for the completed schools for the 30 year contract period. The design team, led by Richard Blair, comprises Aedas
Architects from Glasgow, supported by WA Fairhurst (civil and structural engineers); Operon (M&E design consultancy) and Alex
Napier as Educational Adviser. INPP has been advised by McClure Naismith LLP (Legal Advisers).
Elgin Academy will be replaced with a new school on the same site, with accommodation for 1050 pupils which will comprise
classrooms plus a games hall, gym, fitness suite and dance studio for the modern curriculum. There will be facilities for
the full range of pupil support, a facility for a multi-agency locality team, and a community room which can be accessed by
parents and community groups during the school day as well as after school. External facilities will include a full size
floodlit all-weather pitch, 2 grass pitches all to Sportscotland standard, a 400m 6-lane grass running track and a secure
terraced courtyard. Care has been taken to ensure that pupils, staff and visitors can arrive at the school safely on foot,
or by bicycle, car or bus.
Keith Primary School will have a new building within which all the pupils who currently attend the nursery, junior and senior
primary schools will be accommodated. The accommodation has been designed to allow flexibility in use of the spaces, and
comprises classrooms for nursery through to P7, pupil support, an assembly/games hall, a kitchen and dining hall, and space
for community use. External facilities include provisions for safe play for children at all stages, outdoor “classrooms”
where lessons can be held as an alternative to being inside all the time, and a fenced, all-weather multi-use games area.
Also being provided as part of the school development is a full-size floodlit all-weather pitch, and 2 grass pitches, again
to Sportscotland standards, for the benefit of Keith Grammar School and the community. Considerable effort has been given
to addressing the current congestion that arises at morning and afternoon peaks, so that there are safe means of access to
the school for pupils (including the pupils attending Keith Grammar School) and staff, and adequate off-street parking.
The schools will be innovative, environmentally friendly and sustainable and will be fully accessible by those with mobility
needs. Images of the schools will be posted on the project website at www.moray.gov.uk/ppp
Public meetings will be held to display and discuss the designs for the schools and all are invited to attend. The meeting
for Keith Primary will be held in the hall at Keith Primary School on Monday 7 December commencing at 6pm until 7:30pm. The
meeting for Elgin Academy will be held in the hall at Elgin Academy on Tuesday 8 December commencing at 6pm until 7:30pm.
The meetings will be attended by the architects and the contractor who will build the schools, and by Council officers. There
will be separate meetings arranged during the school day for staff and pupils of the schools.
INPP now have to get planning approval for the schools and they hope to start construction work in spring next year and complete
the construction of the new schools by Christmas 2011. When pupils move into the new buildings, the old schools will be demolished
and the playing fields and landscaping completed.
The project is being funded through a public private partnership using a non-profit distributing model, and is supported by
the Scottish Government and the Scottish Futures Trust.
The Council has been assisted by Dundas & Wilson CS LLP (Legal Advisers); Caledonian Economics Ltd (Financial Advisers); Marsh
(Insurance Advisers) and Faithful+Gould (Technical Advisers and Lead Advisers)
Previous Updates