MORAY COUNCIL HAVE handed a £2million school refurbishment contract to one of the UK’s leading construction and regeneration groups.

Morgan Sindall has been selected by the local authority to take on the extension and refurbishment of Milne’s Primary School in Fochabers.

It is understood that the firm was selected for the work because of their experience in working on sensitive listed buildings – the current school is an A-Listed 171-year-old structure. Under the contract, the firm will undertake the work in two stages, the first seeing a major 6800sqft extension to the rear of the school.

That will allow the creation of five new classrooms – three for primary pupils and two for nursery use, there will also be an ancillary support area. When that is completed existing Nursery accommodation will be demolished with a new play area created in its place.

The second phase will see the upgrading of the existing dining hall, while a new heating system will also be put in place.

Chairman of the children and young people’s services committee, Councillor Tim Eagle, said that Moray Council was committed to improving the learning environment throughout the region, adding: “It is pleasing to agree a design that enables the use of what is an iconic structure.

“When this is complete the whole school community will be learning together in a fit-for-purpose building.”

Morgan Sindall’s Scotland managing director Stuart Parker said of the contract: “We are incredibly pleased to have been selected by Moray Council to deliver the works at Milne’s Primary school and we are looking forward to delivering an inspiring teaching and learning environment.”

Work on the school is expected to be completed by the summer of next year.