A group of primary school pupils were given an exclusive tour of the new £40 million Queensferry High School recently, where main construction works are now underway.
The main works are being delivered by lead contractor Morrison Construction. Initial works on the project, being delivered by hub South West in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council, began earlier this year.
Proposals for the site include enhanced sports facilities including a larger games hall, a six-lane swimming pool, a new fitness centre, dance studio and floodlit 3G and 4G pitches.
The school is being built on the current school’s playing fields, and the old school will be demolished following its completion. The area will then be landscaped and a new pitch created on the site. The new school is due to be completed in spring 2020.
David Wilson, operations director for Morrison commented, “We look forward to continuing our successful relationship with the City of Edinburgh Council and hub South East as we deliver this education facility for pupils, staff and wider Queensferry community.
“Throughout construction we will continue to engage with all stakeholders while creating education and employment opportunities, ensuring this project has a positive impact locally.”
Councillor Ian Perry, convener for education, children and families at the City of Edinburgh Council said, “It was great to see construction work on the site progressing so well on our fourth new high school that we have built in recent years. This demonstrates our commitment to investing in our children’s education with the additional financial support from the Scottish Government’s Schools for the Future programme.
“With the expanding population in Queensferry our exciting plans for the school will provide much-needed community facilities and many of the areas will be easily accessible to the public, which I’m sure they will be delighted with.”
Councillor Alison Dickie, vice convener for education, children and families added, “The new Queensferry High is a great example of how we are taking every opportunity to innovatively build schools for the future that are fit for 21st Century learning. An important element of the school design is the many aspects that support greater accessibility and inclusion for all young people.
“The learning support and guidance suite has been purposely designed with direct input from specialist staff and the interior environment, in terms of lighting and acoustics, furniture and decoration, has been designed to accommodate pupils with a wide range of needs.”
She added, “We will continue to develop the designs of future school projects so they can support the needs of all learners and provide a much more inclusive environment, promoting greater health and wellbeing.”
Roddy Clark, hub South East’s projects director added, “It’s really exciting to be on site now that main construction works have begun, with Queensferry High School now a step closer to reality.”
