THE new Easthouses Primary School in Midlothian is said to be making ‘excellent progress’ on site ahead of its scheduled opening this August.
Councillor Ellen Scott, Midlothian Council’s cabinet member for education, visited the project last week to see the construction work undertaken and hear about the community benefits being delivered.
Delivered through the council’s development partner Hub South East, the school has been designed by jmarchitects and is being built by Morrison Construction.
Councillor Ellen Scott said, “Having been fortunate enough to see both the outside and inside of the building, I can safely say this will be stunning and inspiring learning environment when it opens in August.”
On a tour with Andrew Thornton, Hub South East’s project director and Alan May, construction manager with Morrison Construction, councillor Scott heard the building is now wind and watertight, the roof is completed, external brickwork will be finished soon, and the Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) is also now complete.
Andrew Thornton added, “The new Easthouses Primary is a real example of a high-quality inspiring learning space that will make a real difference to its future learners’ journeys and we’re delighted it’s on track to welcome its first pupils in August. But locals don’t need to wait to see the positive impact of the project, as already a range of benefits have been delivered, from local employment and work experience to supporting nearby community groups. We’re particularly proud of the social value being realised through this development in partnership with Midlothian Council, demonstrating a wider local impact both socially and economically.”
Local people are employed in 11 full-time equivalent jobs as part of the project and an S6 pupil at Dalkeith High will start as a trainee quantity surveyor with Morrison in August, being sponsored through his degree.
The project has also benefited local groups, including roof repairs to Easthouses Football Club and furniture donations to youth project Y2K, as well as community meal sponsorship and work on a memorial garden for the Mayfield and Easthouses Development Trust.
David Ewing, MD for Morrison Construction Building Central, commented, “The team at Easthouses Primary School are making excellent progress with the project as we look to deliver a high-quality school for the growing community, and continue to maximise the opportunities to create social value and employment for local people.”
The new primary, on the site of the old Newbattle High School, will be able to accommodate 459 children. There will be 16 places to support children with Additional Support Needs (ASN) from across Midlothian, and 80 pre-school places. Two wings will be linked by a shared space with dining facilities, a multi-purpose hall, an arts/movement space, offices and support facilities.
