Latest news with #HazleheadAcademy
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
New £120m Scots high school could be heated by nearby cremations
Aberdeen City Council has lodged plans for a new low-carbon energy centre on the site of the new Hazlehead Academy. Plans have been submitted for a low-carbon energy centre at the site of a new £120 million high school, which could use waste heat from cremations. The proposal by Aberdeen Heat and Power aims to upgrade the Hazlehead Heat Network and would also benefit Hazlehead Academy. Currently, the network is powered by a fossil fuel energy centre within the existing academy, which is set to be demolished to make way for a replacement facility by 2028. The proposed energy centre would supply both the current heat network and the new school using air source heat pumps and waste heat from the nearby crematorium, reports Aberdeen Live. This innovative approach involves capturing heat generated during the cremation process and diverting it, rather than releasing it into the atmosphere. Aberdeen City Council is backing the project, with Sustainable Energy Ltd commissioned to assist in developing the proposal. The energy centre would feature nine air source heat pumps, thermal storage and 12 gas boilers as a back-up heat supply. It would operate remotely, with maintenance staff attending only for scheduled servicing or emergency shut downs. Additionally, a heat offtake station equipped with heat exchanger equipment would be installed at the crematorium, connecting to the current waste heat circuit. Developers insist the facility will help tackle fuel poverty throughout the city whilst advancing towards a carbon-neutral heating system in Aberdeen. Two properties previously housing academy personnel are situated on the proposed energy centre location. Nevertheless, these buildings are scheduled for demolition during the school's redevelopment programme. Should the scheme receive approval and building work commence, excavation would begin to install fresh pipeline infrastructure. This network will link the crematorium to the energy centre, alongside connecting the new plant to the current heating system. The Denseat Court sheltered accommodation and the Bruce, Rose, Davidson, and Wallace residential blocks presently receive warmth from the Hazlehead heating network. Additionally, the Hazlehead Pavilion and Pets Corner will also draw heat from the proposed energy facility. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Planners maintain the new installation shouldn't cause any sound disturbance to neighbouring homes. They argue discharge from the backup gas heating equipment at the energy centre will be considerably less than current levels at Hazlehead Academy. They add making the Hazlehead Heat Network carbon-free represents a "strategic and practical step" towards meeting national and local environmental targets.
Scottish Sun
01-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Scots school violence epidemic laid bare as guns, knives and razor blades seized from kids
It comes amid a shocking rise in violence amongst youngsters CLASS WARS Scots school violence epidemic laid bare as guns, knives and razor blades seized from kids Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WEAPONS including guns and razor blades have been seized from kids in schools, it has emerged. Pupils in Aberdeen have been caught with more than 40 potentially deadly items on their person, including knives, BB guns, and multi-tools. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Amen Teklay was found with fatal injuries on Clarendon Street, Glasgow Credit: PA 5 Kayden Moy died following reports of a disturbance at a beach in Ayrshire Credit: PA 5 Scots schoolboy Kory McCrimmon was brutally stabbed to death in Glasgow Credit: Collect The alarming new figures come amid concerns about a rise in school violence and weapons seizures across Scotland. They were recorded since the start of 2024 and also show that 24 of the 43 confiscations took place at primary schools, with a butterfly training knife, pocket knife and a Stanley knife among the weapons found. And around half of all items seized involved knives, with lunch hall cutlery, scissors, corkscrew, sharpened sticks, nitrous oxide cannister, potato peeler, bottle opener, and a razor blade also discovered. In April, a 12-year-old girl was injured in an alleged knife attack at Aberdeen's Hazlehead Academy. The child was rushed to hospital for treatment and a 14-year-old girl was later charged. Knife crime has allegedly been linked to the recent deaths of schoolboy Amen Teklay, 15, East Kilbride lad Kayden Moy, 16, and Kory McCrimmon, 16, who was fatally stabbed in a Glasgow park. Last month, Parents Against Knives, founded by Kory's heartbroken family, led a march against blade violence. Despite horrendous conditions, Kory's family were undeterred in sending a message to Scotland's justice minister - and called for hope to be returned to the streets. The heavens opened as their Parents Against Knives procession kicked off after the youngster's dad Neil, 57, and mum Elizabeth, 44, were greeted by Rangers legend Mark Hateley at Ibrox before walking four miles to Celtic Park. The couple released a blue love-heart balloon with the words, 'love mum and dad' into the sky . They then unfurled a large banner emblazoned with their darling boy's picture and the words 'Parents Against Knives, Save Our Children'. The marchers carried on through the sodden streets to Celtic's ground, which sits right next to their home in the Barrowfield area of the city. Scottish Tory shadow justice secretary and North East MSP, Liam Kerr, said: 'The high number of weapons being brought into schools across Aberdeen is frightening. 'These appalling figures highlight the epidemic of violence in schools – and the woeful level of government support being given to tackle this weapon-carrying culture.' 5 Parents Against Knives walk from the Ibrox stadium to Parkhead in Glasgow Credit: PA
Press and Journal
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Press and Journal
Education boss shuts down questions about Hazlehead knife incident amid 'huge concerns about behaviour' at Aberdeen schools
Education bosses sparked a backlash as they barred councillors from asking questions about the knife incident at Hazlehead Academy during a debate on violence in Aberdeen schools. Today's education committee meeting descended into a heated spat – as elected members argued over what the next steps should be in the wake of an alleged slashing at the west end secondary. A 12-year-old girl was taken to hospital last Thursday, requiring stitches, after police were called to the school during the morning break. It is understood she suffered wounds to the head and face, and a 14-year-old girl has now been charged in connection with the incident. The city's education leaders have now pledged to bring forward a report on what is being done to police behaviour in schools. However, there were concerns that more urgent action is needed. The meeting got off to a fiery start, as Lower Deeside councillor M. Tauqeer Malik lamented not being able to ask education officials questions. He blasted Lib Dem education boss Martin Greig, who arranged the meeting in such a way as to prohibit this. Mr Greig, however, insisted he was right to limit any discussion on what is an ongoing police investigation. Mr Malik said: 'We did not get the opportunity to ask questions… When I raise these things you (Mr Greig) just start shouting at me. 'There is a process where you get to ask questions and get answers, but you did not give us the opportunity to ask questions in relation to a very important issue.' Other opposition councillors later raised the same concerns. Conservative councillor Richard Brooks was later shut down as he referred to the alleged slashing at Hazlehead Academy. After only making a fleeting mention of the incident, he was quickly muzzled by the local authority's legal team. Lord Provost David Cameron was quick to interject following Mr Brooks' remark, saying: 'This is a live police investigation, and Councillor Brooks is making statements.' After consulting with the legal team, the Tory Kincorth, Nigg and Cove councillor was told no mention to the alleged Hazlehead Academy knife attack would be permitted. This was despite, as Mr Brooks brought up, the issue being discussed in public in the Scottish Parliament last week. Mr Malik previously called for the anti-weapons lessons rolled out in the wake of the tragic Bailey Gwynne killing in 2015 to be reinstated across Aberdeen. He wanted the possibility discussed at an urgent council meeting on Monday. However, this too was turned down as it concerned a live police investigation. John Murray, the council's representative for Roman Catholic schools, also attended the talks on Tuesday. He appeared to grow impatient as councillors debated what subsequent meeting to discuss the behaviour report in. He said: 'I would like people to consider how that looks to the general public in Aberdeen that over this very, very important issue, what we're debating is what committee a particular report should go to. 'There are huge concerns about the behaviour of some children in schools. 'This is something that the education committee should be focusing a lot of time and attention on.' His sentiments were echoed by council co-leader Christian Allard, who likened the situation to 'walking a tightrope'. The SNP group leader added: 'We will have a report. Will it be enough to deal with particular incidents? I don't think so, it may be too early. 'But it will feed into the plan, and we need to address what needs to be addressed.' In the end, councillors voted for a report to come back to the next education committee in June. You can view the full meeting here.
Press and Journal
28-04-2025
- Press and Journal
Widow of stabbing victim hopes to bring Knife Angel to Aberdeen
An Aberdeen woman who lost her husband in a stabbing attack is calling for the city to host an artwork designed to help combat knife crime. Linda Taylor's husband Keith was murdered in Tillydrone in July 2016 along with her neighbour Tracy Gabriel. Haunted by that loss, Linda recently vowed to use her personal tragedy to help ensure fewer people will be forced to endure the loss of a loved one to violent crime. After calling on the police and government to introduce a viable and ongoing knife surrender scheme to encourage people to ditch potentially deadly weapons, Linda has now turned her attention to Aberdeen City Council. The widow is asking the local authority to launch a bid to host The Knife Angel – a 27ft tall statue designed to help combat knife crime. Her call for action comes just days after a 12-year-old girl was slashed in an alleged knife incident at Hazlehead Academy in Aberdeen. Also known as The National Monument Against Violence, The Knife Angel is made from more than 100,000 seized blades from police forces across the UK, some of which have been engraved by those affected by knife crime. The statue has now travelled to more than 50 cities since 2018, spreading awareness and prompting conversation wherever it goes. Linda said she was encouraged to approach the council after learning about the impact seeing a knife sculpture had had on someone she knew. 'I was talking about amnesties and he told me about being taken to see a knife sculpture as a child and how that affected him,' she said. After learning about the Knife Angel, Linda decided she wanted to bring the artwork, along with a knife amnesty bin, to Aberdeen, in memory of her husband. Linda, who has also been speaking to representatives from Police Scotland about using her experiences to educate others on the impact of knife crime, hopes that being confronted by the powerful artwork will help to prompt both conversation and action. She hopes that bringing the artwork to Aberdeen would allow families and schools to visit, creating an opportunity for conversation around the topics of violence and knife crime. 'I think the earlier you start, the better chance you have,' she said, noting that recent events at Hazlehead Academy underline how her mission is more important than ever. 'It is crazy that it is happening in schools,' she said. Asked what effect she hoped the presence of the sculpture might have, Linda said: 'If people see what good can be done instead of using the weapons then you might actually have an impact. 'All those weapons could have been used – now look at how beautiful it is.' Linda has already enlisted the help of Aberdeen Central MSP Kevin Stewart and is lobbying the police and council to bring her idea to fruition. Kevin Stewart told the Press and Journal: 'I think it's a great idea to host the Knife Angel statue here in Aberdeen. 'Knife crime has a devastating impact on families and communities and all credit to Linda for using her heartbreaking story to raise awareness and continue conversations. 'I'm fully supportive of this initiative and will continue to engage with Linda and stakeholders to try and make this a reality'. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Knives can have a devastating impact on our communities. 'We take a zero-tolerance approach to offensive weapons and knife crime and are committed to making our communities safer. 'We are working with partners through enforcement and education and will continue to target those who choose to carry weapons. 'We are aware of a potential opportunity for Aberdeen to host the Knife Angel and will liaise with partners.' An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman told us: 'We are in discussions partners as we seek to move forward with a bid.' Linda said: 'Let's make it happen.'
The National
24-04-2025
- The National
Girl, 14, arrested after 'knife incident' at Scottish school
Police were called to Hazlehead Academy in Groats Road at around 10.30am on Thursday to a "serious assault" on a 12-year-old girl. Aberdeen City Council said the injured girl was collected by her parents and taken to hospital. She has since been released, although it is understood that she required stitches. READ MORE: Girl in hospital after 'stabbing' at Scottish secondary school Police Scotland described it as a 'contained incident' and said there was 'no risk to the wider school community'. A spokesperson said: 'A 14-year-old girl has been arrested and charged in connection with a serious assault in Groats Road, Aberdeen. 'The incident happened around 10.30am on Thursday April 24. 'A 12-year-old girl was taken to Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital for treatment and has since been released. 'The 14-year-old will be reported to the relevant authorities.'
