By Graham Brown

TOUGH CHOICES and major money demands lie ahead on the provision of schooling for future Angus generations.

In an estate strategy report going before the authority’s education committee this afternoon, director Jim Anderson pulls no punches in the challenge facing the council to bring buildings up to scratch and make sure classroom space is not wasted.

The county is in the midst of a multi-million pound project to provide new and refurbished schools in Forfar and Carnoustie.

Major works are also going on elsewhere, but Mr Anderson’s report reveals that other schools are now heading towards the end of their useful life as the construction methods of 30 years ago show their age.

School buildings are graded on an A-D rating and the latest appraisal has left some, particularly rural units like Stracathro, Arbirlot, Kilry and Lintrathen as well as Brechin High, hovering near the bottom end of the suitability scale.

“An emerging problems is schools constructed in the late 1960s or early 1970s where significant investment will be required if ratings are to be maintained.

“The most obvious example was Seaview Primary School which was reassessed during 2006, resulting in the condition and suitability rating being reduced from B/C to C/D.”

The council opted to replace the primary after an appraisal, but the director warns that, despite massive investment through the Forfar/ Carnoustie schools project, problems may be on the horizon elsewhere.

“Another 12 primary schools in Angus were built in this era with similar construction methods and materials and therefore similar problems,” adds Mr Anderson.

“All these schools have suffered from major failures in flat roofs, underfloor heating systems, windows and curtain walling

“In some cases—for example, Grange and Lochside primaries—there have been major improvement programmes in recent years.

“Similarly Carlogie Primary School will be extensively upgraded and Newtyle Primary is to be replaced.

“However, other schools in this group are in danger of falling into lower categories in the foreseeable future if considerable improvement is not undertaken.”

Mr Anderson reveals that at September last year the county had 7131 pupils in its eight secondary schools and 8757 children spread throughout 57 primaries.

“A number of schools are operating below capacity. Without action this situation will worsen over the medium term,” his report adds.

“Overall within Angus, primary school rolls are projected to fall by over 7% and secondary schools by 9% by 2014,” continues the director.

“However, this reduction will not be consistent across the council area.

“There will be some variations in the demographic profile due to the building of new houses in particular areas/burghs.

“Accordingly, the council has ensured that detailed proposals are currently being considered and, where required, further option appraisals will be undertaken. This will identify any surplus accommodation or rationalisation possibilities.”