Aberdeen City Council has submitted a comprehensive planning application (reference 250479/DPP) for the redevelopment of the existing Hazlehead Academy site into a new secondary school and community campus. The proposed facility, located on Groats Road, is intended to accommodate up to 1,600 pupils and will serve an expanded catchment area that includes the communities of Countesswells and Kingswells. The development forms part of the Council’s broader schools estate improvement programme and is scheduled to become operational from August 2027.
The inclusion of Kingswells within the revised Hazlehead Academy catchment represents a significant realignment of secondary education provision in Aberdeen. At present, pupils from Kingswells transition to Bucksburn Academy; under the new arrangements, they will attend the redeveloped Hazlehead campus. This shift has prompted considerable interest from parents and community representatives, who have expressed a mixture of support and concern. While many have acknowledged the benefits of modern educational facilities and improved learning environments, others have raised issues relating to travel distance, school capacity, and the logistics of pupil transition.
Transportation has been a key point of discussion during the consultation process. Given the geographic separation between Kingswells and the Groats Road site, stakeholders have emphasised the need for safe, reliable, and sustainable transport solutions. In response, the Council has committed to delivering enhanced active travel infrastructure, including improved pedestrian and cycling routes. Furthermore, consideration is being given to the extension of school transport services, including eligibility criteria for free travel, to ensure equitable access for pupils from Kingswells.
Community feedback, particularly from the Kingswells School Parent Council, has highlighted the importance of ensuring that the new campus reflects its expanded remit. Suggestions have included the renaming of the school to better represent the diversity of its intake beyond Hazlehead. The Council has acknowledged these representations and is actively exploring appropriate naming and identity options. Additional concerns have been raised regarding the capacity of the new campus to accommodate projected population growth, especially given the ongoing residential expansion in Countesswells and Kingswells. The planning documentation confirms that the 1,600-pupil capacity has been modelled to meet medium- to long-term demand forecasts, with scope for further review should circumstances change.
Education Scotland has reviewed the proposal and provided a supportive assessment, noting the anticipated benefits of a purpose-built, digitally enabled facility designed to meet the needs of a modern curriculum. The development will also include spaces for additional support needs, Gaelic Medium Education, and community use, ensuring that the facility serves both educational and wider civic purposes.
In conclusion, the proposed Hazlehead Academy redevelopment presents a transformative opportunity for secondary education in west Aberdeen. For the Kingswells community, the project promises access to a modern and well-resourced school environment, provided that issues such as transport, capacity, and community identity are addressed in a considered and inclusive manner. With the planning application currently open to public consultation until 9 July 2025, residents are encouraged to review the proposals in detail and make formal representations to ensure local priorities are fully reflected in the final development.