Aberdeen City Council has taken ownership of its £29million New Riverbank School following completion of building work, it was announced today (01 May 2025).
The keys to the new primary school located on Coningham Gardens, Tillydrone, which replaces the existing Riverbank School on nearby Dill Road, were handed over on Friday 25 April, by contractor Robertson Construction Eastern, who delivered the project for the Council.
The school is being temporarily called New Riverbank School to avoid confusion with the existing Riverbank School. Once the existing Riverbank School has been renamed the term “New” will be dropped from the name.
The new primary school will open on Friday 9 May 2025 to pupils and staff, which will allow the pupils of the existing Riverbank School to decant to the new school in advance of the summer recess.
Councillor Martin Greig, Convener of Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “It is a great experience to hold the keys for our New Riverbank School in Tillydrone. Council teams are now preparing the classrooms and other spaces to welcome pupils into the building later this month. It will be an amazing place to learn together.
“The new school has excellent facilities for the benefit of all pupils and for the community. The 3G sports pitch and other high quality external areas will support educational activities, play and pupil wellbeing in general. I am delighted we are at this stage of getting ready to open the doors.”
Councillor Jessica Mennie, vice-convener of Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “It’s great that the construction work has been completed and we have the keys to the New Riverbank School. In the coming weeks, the final touches will be made to the facilities to enable pupils and staff to ‘settle in’ before the summer holidays.”
Elliot Robertson, CEO, Robertson Group, said: "At Robertson, we are committed to creating sustainable, innovative spaces that inspire and support the next generation. The new Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) school at New Riverbank School is a testament to this vision, and to the commitment shown by Aberdeen City Council to deliver a warm, natural environment that enhances wellbeing and has been proven to enhance attainment. Working with the Council to deliver this facility, we’ve not only reduced the environmental impact but also provided pupils and staff with an educational setting where they can truly learn, play, and achieve together.”
The new three-stream school will provide a learning environment for up to 651 primary-age pupils with Early Learning and Nursery provision for up to 60 children. The facilities also include a 3G sports pitch and external outdoor play and learning facilities.
The new school has been built on the site of the former Tillydrone Infant School and on part of the former St Machar Primary School site.
A date for the official opening of the new Riverbank School will be arranged once the pupils and staff have ‘settled in’ to their new school.