First Minister views work progress at new Perth High School building

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First Minister and Perthshire North MSP John Swinney saw the progress being made on the new £80million Perth High School building last Friday, November 22.

Mr Swinney visited the school, due to open in summer 2025, along with Perthshire South and Kinross-shire MSP Jim Fairlie as well as senior Perth and Kinross councillors and officials, and representatives from construction partners Robertson and hub East Central Scotland (hubco).

The new Perth High School project is being delivered for the council by Robertson Construction Tayside on behalf of hubco and is being built to exacting Passivhaus building design standards which include energy-saving measures.

Up to 1600 pupils and 140 staff will be accommodated in the three-storey building, which is being constructed at the existing High School Oakbank Road site.

The current school building is to be demolished and the ground transformed to provide a 3G sports pitch and multi-use games area (MUGA) when the new building is ready. The overall project will be completed in 2026.

Mr Swinney said: “I was pleased to see first-hand the progress being made on the new Perth High School building, which represents a significant investment in the future of our young people.

“This state-of-the-art facility will provide an outstanding learning environment for pupils and staff while demonstrating our commitment to sustainability and tackling the climate emergency.

“I commend Perth and Kinross Council and all partners involved in this transformative project, which will undoubtedly have a lasting positive impact on the community.”

Perth and Kinross Council convener of families and learning councillor John Rebbeck said: “As we get closer to Perth High School opening the doors of its brand new facilities to young people and staff, I am very pleased that Mr Swinney is able to join us and see first-hand how works are progressing on site, and I welcome the positive way that the council has worked in partnership with the Scottish Government.

“This £80m project is a key element of the Council’s programme to improve the learning estate in Perth and Kinross by investing in the provision of modern, fit for purpose facilities, and additionally by building to Passivhaus standards, one of the first schools of its kind in Scotland alongside Riverside Primary, we aim to reduce our environmental impact.”

Robertson has already delivered Perth’s Riverside Primary School - the first Passivhaus school in Scotland – for Perth and Kinross Council.

Robertson Construction Tayside regional managing director Kevin Dickson said the visit was a great opportunity to show the progress of the build, and highlight the commitment to quality and sustainability, adding: “Building to Passivhaus standards once again with the council demonstrates the importance placed on delivering cutting-edge projects in a sustainable, forward-thinking way.”

Hub East Central Scotland chief executive Gary Bushnell commented: “It’s great to see the new school taking shape and we look forward to handing over a first-class facility next year that will serve the community for generations to come.”

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