Good education provision is critical to the vision for Chapelton and Walters & Cohen, a specialist schools architect, is working with EDC to ensure design excellence. Sites for three primary schools and one secondary school have been identified for first 4045 houses in the town. These schools will be located adjacent to commercial areas, to offer convenience for families and encourage business on the high street.
Cairnhill’s first neighbourhood will include a primary school, designed by award-winning schools architect Walters & Cohen. The firm has also developed plans for the town’s other schools and identified the locations within the town masterplan. The neighbourhood already boasts a nursery school with provision for up to 90 children.
Elsick Development Company is working in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council’s Education Department to determine the best means of providing secondary education within the new settlement. While the town centre is designed to include a secondary school, it may take a few years for Chapelton to be of a sufficient size to sustain it. One option is to provide a school for all ages and stages of the curriculum, which will grow with the first phase.