Refurbishments have been completed at a school in Scalloway, Shetland.

The work was being undertaken at the former Scalloway Junior High School, and involved redecorating classrooms, creating new play and social areas, improving lighting, flooring and installing new toilets.

With the primary school and nursery once again open to pupils, they have moved into the former Secondary School Department. As a result, this will allow for building work to begin on the second phase of the project which will see a new Scalloway Health Centre delivered.

The vacated building will be refurbished to allow Scalloway Health Centre and Community Health Staff to occupy the premises. Hame fae Hame Childcare, currently based on Main Street, Scalloway, will also relocate into the areas formerly occupied by the Nursery, P1 and P2 classes. It is expected this phase of work will be completed later this year.


In addition, work is ongoing to alter the car parking layout and road access through the site, while a redevelopment of a new play area is also being considered.

Morag Fox, Head Teacher, is quoted as saying: "This had been a long process and the outcome for the school and nursery has been worth waiting for – pupils and staff are delighted with the newly decorated areas. The light, airy spaces are fantastic and it's lovely to breathe life back into an old, tired building."

Overall renovation of the former school site is being carried out in two phases and is a joint project between Shetland Islands Council and NHS Shetland.

Ralph Roberts, Chief Executive, NHS Shetland commented: "I am delighted that the first phase of this Project is now complete and we are now looking forward to the next phase that will allow us to provide a new Health Centre for Scalloway.

"This project has been an excellent example of the Public Sector working together and I am pleased that by doing this, the NHS have been able to bring substantial new resources into Shetland, to benefit both the Health Service and wider community."

(JP/MH)