Highland Schools

The Highland Schools PFI project is a 30-year concession with the Highland Council to design, build and operate eleven urban and rural schools with a total capital value of GBP143m. The project comprises five primary schools, three secondary schools, a combined primary and secondary school, and a special needs school. This all-new build concession runs until 2037 and HICL is a 50 per cent shareholder.

Morrison Construction commenced the building phase in 2006 on the 11 new schools and community facilities built through the Highland Council’s second Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme. Construction has been completed in stages and is due to be fully completed in the autumn of 2009.

Facilities Management is the responsibility of Morrison Facilities Services and the project is financed through long-term fixed-rate guaranteed senior secured bonds and a European Investment Bank loan. The contractual payment mechanism is an availability payment based on availability of accommodation facilities and the level of service performance.

All the schools have been designed in consultation with the community to include a range of facilities which are available to the public. These facilities include library provision, sports and recreational facilities and community meeting rooms. The project was awarded a 'Highly Recommended Award for Community Involvement' at the 2008 PPP Annual Awards.