Frequently Asked Questions – Buckie High School

Buckie High School, like a number of schools across the region, faces ongoing challenges with the condition of its buildings. Issues such as roof leaks and general wear and tear have been reported and repairs addressed within the scope of our existing maintenance budgets. However, these repairs have not always resolved deeper, systemic issues, but ongoing investigations continue into an affordable design solution to deliver a long-term sustainable future for Buckie High School.

There was a pool leak in June 2024. This was remedied at the time, and there have been no further issues. A 2022 report recommended renewing the boiler plant due to its age, the pool plant remains functional but there was no recommendation to replace the entire pool due to leaks. It is acknowledged that the Buckie pool and gym building, as with other adjacent school buildings, is graded Condition C (Poor) and requires works.

Storm Arwen caused significant damage to buildings across Scotland, including Buckie High School. A number of roof tiles, slates, and ridges were damaged and detached from the building. These damaged areas were repaired, and there have been no further issues with falling debris. Some of the school building roofs are graded (Bad) Condition D, and the need for improvement is acknowledged. There have been some minor water ingress issues over recent years, but these have been addressed on a case-by-case basis.

With age the flat roof Glass Roof Plastic (GRP) covering is prone to cracking due to weather or if someone stands on roof fixings. There have been some minor water ingress issues during wet weather over recent years. These were quickly reported and repaired, and this will continue to be the case until a longer-term sustainable solution for the flat roofs is determined.

A CCTV system is in operation around the entire school to address anti-social behaviour. Anti-climb paint has also been applied to deter pupils from accessing roof areas. The school continues to monitor and report any incidents to ensure pupil safety.

Heaters in the H block are the original components and no longer supported by the manufacturer; however, they are still operational. Replacement parts such as fan motors, thermostats, and filters are available from alternative suppliers. The heating system continues to function and ensures rooms maintain the required temperature. Any issues are quickly rectified. Any future building improvements would need to address heating and power.

Drinking water is available via three drinking fountains—one in the staff room and two for pupil use (common room and PE corridor). Jugs of drinking water are also provided in the canteen for pupils, as the original fountain was removed due to adjacent toilets being taken offline due to vandalism. The Technical Block has never had a direct mains water feed; rather its has non-drinking water is supplied from a storage tank.

Asbestos within older school buildings is a known issue – and is monitored and managed in accordance with statutory requirements. For normal building use any asbestos risk is assessed As Low As Reasonably Practical and not a health risk to pupils or staff.

Buckie High School has a comprehensive Asbestos Register in place and annual inspections are undertaken to confirm the accuracy of the information and the continued efficacy of the risk assessment. The Register ensures that the relevant information is available for any building works that are required.

Any day to day works order instructed through the Council Property Helpdesk puts a responsibility on the contractor to review and sign the asbestos register on site to ensure they are not carrying out works on an asbestos containing material.

Any significant building works would first require a ‘Refurbishment or Demolition’ (R&D) survey to identify in detail any asbestos-containing materials and recommend how this should be managed.

Fire Safety Risk Assessments are completed and reviewed regularly in line with the Fire Scotland Act 2005 and the Fire (Safety) Scotland Regulation 2006. An action plan is in place, with regular reviews supported by the Health and Safety Manager. All medium to low priority actions are already in place. There are no substantial issues that compromise fire safety at Buckie High School.

A full Electrical Installation Condition (EIC) inspection and testing were completed on 30 June 2021, with the next inspection due in 2026. All faults were rectified in October 2021, and the electrical components of the building were classified as being in Good Condition.

To ensure electrical appliance safety Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is conducted annually. All electrical assessments are up to date and there are no significant issues or safety concerns with electrical systems.

Any reported hazard is treated as a priority by our Property Services team. Immediate risks are addressed swiftly to ensure the safety of staff and pupils. If any specific unresolved issues remain, the school should continue reporting them through the appropriate channels to ensure timely intervention.

All electrical assessments are up to date and there are no significant issues or safety concerns with electrical safety.

Replacement of all skylights is not considered a priority building issue. Panels are replaced if damaged.

The council’s investment decisions are informed by a range of factors, including building condition surveys, pupil roll projections, educational needs, and strategic planning frameworks. While significant investment has been made in Elgin in recent years, this reflects long-term planning and the scale of demand in that area.

Buckie High School is not being overlooked. Moray Council’s Education and Property Services team are exploring options for longer-term improvements. However, financial constraints and competing priorities necessitate that works are prioritised based on objective assessments and available funding.