THE majority of external works are now complete on the build of the new £15 million Beatlie School Campus in Livingston.
Most internal works are underway on the West Lothian Council build, which is being delivered by Hub South East alongside main contractor Morrison Construction.
The existing Beatlie School provides specialist education for pupils aged 3-18 with severe and complex support and profound medical needs. The new facilities will be a centre of excellence for children and young people.
Along with the core education facilities for nursery, primary and secondary pupils, plans for the new school, designed by architects Norr, also include a hydrotherapy pool, two general purpose rooms, a life skills area, multi-purpose hall and sensory garden.
It will also feature assistive technology products designed to help facilitate greater independence for those with mobility issues to explore their surroundings by increasing, maintaining, or improving their functional capabilities.
The school will also boast enhanced energy reduction measures and provide parent support facilities – including accommodation for partner agencies and support services including the NHS Child Development Centre (CDC), which currently support pupils throughout West Lothian. NHS Lothian is allocating around £1.5 million to the project cover the cost of the new CDC facility.
Eileen Mackin, Hub South East’s project director, said, “It’s exciting to see the progress being made on site at Beatlie – it’s really taking shape and I’m delighted that we’re on schedule to ensure that pupils and staff can start using their new learning space after its handover in August.
“The new state-of-the-art facility has been designed to be intuitive and meet the complex needs of the pupils, as well as being a joyful and stimulating environment which will allow the young people of Beatlie to continue to thrive. Seeing these plans become reality is fantastic and I look forward to following the building’s progress to completion.”
Allan Cunningham, operations director for Morrison Construction Building Central, added, “As we count down to the opening of Beatlie School later this year, we are pleased to report that construction is progressing well and pupils are on track to enjoy the start of the new school year in August.”
Beatlie headteacher Carol Robbie said, “It’s great to see our fabulous new Beatlie School Campus progressing so well. Everyone in the Beatlie community is looking forward to moving into the finished school, which will have a real positive impact on the level of education and care we can provide our children and young people.”
