Merger of high schools officially approved

The merging of Braeview Academy and Craigie High School has been officially approved by Dundee City Council.

The merger, which will see a new £60 million school built to replace the two, was approved by the children and families committee last night.

Work could start in August with the building opening its doors at Drumgeith Road in August 2025.

A four-year transition to the new school is to be planned through a project board, including representatives of staff, pupils and parents from the existing Braeview Academy and Craigie High School.

A report which went before the committee outlined that the new campus would be funded through a combination of borrowing and Scottish Government funding.

Government funding for the new community campus had been secured in December.

However, it was noted in the report budget savings of around £1m are still needed.

This prompted concerns from the Labour group at Dundee City Council, who queried how these savings would be made.

Sandy Flight, head of corporate finance at the council, outlined that natural savings, which result from merging two schools, should cover the bulk.

He said: “At its peak, we estimate that savings from operating one school rather than two is around £750,000. So that natural saving covers a huge part of the saving needed.”

Under the proposals, the catchment of the new school would encompass the current catchment for Braeview and Craigie, with the exception of Craigiebarns Primary.

To offset this, the catchment area for Grove Academy would be expanded to embrace Craigiebarns Primary.