Moray Council submits planning application to replace secondary school

A school that was partially closed following the discovery of potentially dangerous concrete is to be completely replaced under new plans.

Moray Council has submitted a full planning application to replace the current Forres Academy secondary school with a modern, three-storey building.

The school was closed in September 2023 because the council said the collapse-prone concrete (RAAC) put it at a “higher level of risk.”

The local authority said the move marks a “significant step” in upgrading the town’s education facilities.

The proposal includes replacing the current Forres Academy with a 12,126-square-meter building that will include outdoor sports facilities, landscaping, car parking, and a dedicated bus drop-off area.

The new school would provide space for 1,120 secondary pupils, including dedicated facilities for pupils with additional support needs and areas for community use.

If approved, the council said it will be built next to Applegrove Primary School, supporting a shared 5–18 campus model and make it easier for the community to use the facilities.

Pupils are set to move into the new Forres Academy building from October 2028.

“We believe that the Forres Academy replacement project will deliver a positive development for the school and local area,” the council’s application said.

The school is currently only operating at 74% capacity after inspectors previously found Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in the building.

The West Moray school was closed in September 2023 because the council said the collapse-prone concrete put it at a “higher level of risk.”

It has since partially reopened for all pupils, and the council said it is safe to use all areas of the school that do not contain RAAC panels – including the ground floor, other than the drama/music corridor.