Latest news with #Albyn
Press and Journal
18-05-2025
- Science
- Press and Journal
Meet the Aberdeen pupil who is siting S4 exams in primary school
An 11-year-old Aberdeen schoolboy who is in primary seven sat his National 4 exams – usually taken in fourth year – at the age of 10. Emon Rizvi, who attends the city's Albyn School, showed potential from a young age. So much so, that he never started primary one and went straight into primary two. 'P1 was too easy for him, so we just wanted him to go into P2,' his dad Imran – a 45-year-old businessman – told The Press and Journal. The youngster was so adamant that he was not starting primary school in the usual age group and said at the time: 'I'm not wasting my time in P1 because it is so easy for me.' His time at Albyn has been successful and according to his teachers, he has shown 'exceptional aptitude' for learning since he started. The 11-year-old has now made history and has officially been accepted into Mensa International, the world-renowned high IQ society. The youngest an individual can do a supervised IQ test for the organisation is at the age of 10 and a half, with people who score at the 98th percentile or higher getting accepted. Emon completed – and passed – one of Mensa's mock test at the age of nine. 'He was so excited when he turned 10 years and six months,' Imran told The P&J. When he was of the age allowed, 10-year-old Emon – who enjoys playing video games, Lego and tennis – took his test to see if he would be eligible to qualify for Mensa. Taking the Stanford-Binet test – in which to qualify you need to be in the top 2% (scoring 132 or more) – the schoolboy surpassed this and scored 149. Speaking to the P&J, Emon said: 'I'm very proud of myself and both my parents and my brother are very proud. 'I feel almost astonished that I managed, because I thought It'd be really, really hard. I am also relieved that I managed.' In achieving this, he has become the first ever pupil from Albyn's lower school to join the elite club. Head of Albyn's lower school, Mr Davies said: 'He has this intense focus and incredible memory. 'Emon's talents are far beyond his years.' Having sat his National 4 exams last year, there are plans for him to do 'two or three' Highers in second year if he does well at 'mock' National 5 exams that he is taking this year. And what are Emon's plans for the future? 'It's difficult because he has no pressure, his dad said, adding: 'He will decide what he wants to do. 'However, it will probably be in artificial intelligence or something.'
The Herald Scotland
29-04-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Highland housing provider expands into Skye for first time
Two new two-bedroom flats in Kyleakin have been refurbished with funding from the Scottish Government. In Broadford, Albyn has purchased four new homes for mid-market rent, while in Lower Breakish, Albyn will provide a two-bedroom bungalow for tenants. The move represents a significant geographical expansion for Albyn Housing Society, who are looking to invest further in Skye in the near future in mid-market rented accommodation. The homes will primarily be available to emergency service workers such as those working in the NHS, and workers from other key sectors, supporting the regional economy Angus MacDonald, Liberal Democrat MP for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-Shire, visited the new homes recently, alongside the senior management team of Albyn Housing Society and met with them to discuss the future of housing in Skye and the Highlands. READ MORE: New proposal could see tenants allowed to withhold rent Scottish families face housing list wait of more than 100 years Second home owners 'should not be blamed' for housing shortages Kirsty Morrison, Albyn Group CEO, commented: 'Our teams specialise in providing affordable housing in rural, and sometimes very remote, areas. Until now, we have focused on the mainland Highlands and have homes from the Cairngorms to Thurso and from Applecross to Moray. 'However, we recognise the acute need for affordable housing on Skye and in particular housing for those working in key sectors. Very soon we will have seven new households able to live in quality housing and at an affordable cost, all whilst contributing to the local public services and the economy. 'Of course, there will always be more to do and we are planning to invest further in new mid market rented housing on the island in the near future. If the Highland economy is to be a success and be a desirable and sustainable place for people to live and work, then we must ensure there is adequate housing in place to support communities to thrive.' Angus MacDonald, MP for Skye, commented: 'There are huge pressures on our public services and one particular issue in rural areas like ours is the lack of housing for those working in our NHS and the care sector. 'This is a welcome step to see Albyn Housing Society stepping in to provide housing for key workers. It is important that we continue to see governments prioritising public services in our rural areas and supporting people to work within them and create communities that can last. 'It was great to see around these new homes and meet with some of the Albyn team before they expand into Skye. I look forward to seeing these homes occupied and families enjoying living here in the future."
Scotsman
29-04-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Albyn Housing Society expands into Skye with new key worker housing
One of the largest social housing providers in the Highlands is expanding into the Isle of Skye for the first time, providing seven new affordable homes for key workers for mid-market rent. Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Albyn Housing Society, which has almost 3,900 properties across 80 rural communities in the Highlands, will soon hand over properties in Kyleakin, Lower Breakish and Broadford on Skye to new tenants. Two new two-bedroom flats in Kyleakin have been refurbished with funding from the Scottish Government. This transformation means that the former short term let accommodation has now been transformed into affordable homes. . In Broadford, Albyn has purchased four new homes for mid-market rent, including two three-bedroom homes and two two-bedroom flats. In Lower Breakish, Albyn will provide a two-bedroom bungalow for tenants. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The move represents a significant geographical expansion for Albyn Housing Society, who are looking to invest further in Skye in the near future in mid-market rented accommodation. The homes will primarily be available to emergency service workers such as those working in the NHS, and workers from other key sectors, supporting the regional economy Albyn senior leadership and Angus MacDonald MP visit one of the homes in Broadford, Isle of Skye Angus MacDonald OBE MP, who represents Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire, visited the new homes recently, alongside the senior management team of Albyn Housing Society and met with them to discuss the future of housing in Skye and the Highlands. Albyn Group CEO, Kirsty Morrison, commented:'Our teams specialise in providing affordable housing in rural, and sometimes very remote, areas. Until now, we have focused on the mainland Highlands and have homes from the Cairngorms to Thurso and from Applecross to Moray. 'However, we recognise the acute need for affordable housing on Skye and in particular housing for those working in key sectors. Very soon we will have seven new households able to live in quality housing and at an affordable cost, all whilst contributing to the local public services and the economy. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Of course, there will always be more to do and we are planning to invest further in new mid market rented housing on the island in the near future. If the Highland economy is to be a success and be a desirable and sustainable place for people to live and work, then we must ensure there is adequate housing in place to support communities to thrive.' MP for Skye, Angus MacDonald, commented: 'There are huge pressures on our public services and one particular issue in rural areas like ours is the lack of housing for those working in our NHS and the care sector. 'This is a welcome step to see Albyn Housing Society stepping in to provide housing for key workers. It is important that we continue to see governments prioritising public services in our rural areas and supporting people to work within them and create communities that can last.
