It was confirmed yesterday that the Perth Road school is on a list of 14 secondaries across the country to benefit from funding from the Scottish Government.

This will take care of two-thirds of the cost of rebuilding or refurbishing the schools, which include Brechin High and Auchmuty High in Glenrothes — but local authorities will have to find the rest of the cash.

The announcement was welcomed at last night’s meeting of the city council education committee, but details about the scope and timing of the work and the council’s financial contribution to the project were left unclear.

Cllr Macpherson said these were points that would need answering.

He said, “At committee last night, I did make clear that we should all greatly welcome the commitment by Scottish Government to fund a substantial proportion of the works.

“But we do indeed need clarity in terms of the actual amount of funding coming from government and the timescale in which funding will come forward and work on the school can commence.

“The Harris Academy feasibility study’s cost summary estimate was £17 million for total works, but in addition to this ‘other desirable works’ of £1.5 million were referred to.

“I am of the view that these ‘desirable works’ are actually essential — upgrading the music block, improving the sports hall, gymnasium block and swimming pool and providing a community reception area.

“I have written to the new council chief executive David Dorward and Jim Collins, director of education, seeking clarity over the total funding to be made available by Scottish Government, the council’s contribution from a revised overall capital programme and to secure a commitment that the wholeproject to ensure that things like the sports hall and music block are not left out.

“I have also asked them to indicate if the Scottish Government has clarified precisely when it will start releasing funds to Harris Academy to allow works to start.

“I think it is very important that, having made the announcement yesterday, government is very clear about the total funding and timescales.

“I think the school and the community is entitled to this clarity.”

In response to a series of questions, a city council spokesman said, “A major refurbishment of Harris Academy is envisaged, to include aspects such as the provision of larger teaching areas, disability access, improvements to pedestrian and vehicular access and egress, and modernisation and upgrade of essential services.

“This scheme is at an early stage and we will be meeting with the Scottish Futures Trust to discuss the proposals. That meeting will explore issues including cost and timescale.

“Everything will be done to take the project forward as quickly as possible, because we recognise that Harris is in need of an upgrade and news of this has been welcomed by pupils, teachers and parents.

“This is a major project which understandably has generated a considerable amount of interest and we will keep everyone informed of progress as the refurbishment plans take shape.”

Labour group education spokesman Laurie Bidwell said it was not yet clear what form the SFT procurement was going to take.

He said, “Is this going to be an SNP version of public/private partnerships or are we going to get additional borrowing consent? In addition to the form, we are also not clear about the timing or the amount.

“The feasibility study contains only rounded figures — a detailed appraisal of the costs has yet to be done.

“The costings are based on 2009 figures, but it is likely to be two or three years before work starts and construction costs will be higher then.

“I have been using a £20 million figure when I have spoken about the project and I think it will be at least that much.”

Mr Bidwell said he believed the items listed as desirable in the study should be seen as necessary. The study had found there were some constraints on the school’s ability at present to deliver parts of the curriculum, including arts, and this needed to be addressed.

Community access to the school was also vital for people living in the West End, who deserved the same level of facilities on offer to the public at the new St Paul’s Academy and the soon-to-be-completed Grove Academy.