THE new Whitecraig Primary School has opened in East Lothian. The facility, built by Morrison Construction, has been developed on land adjacent to the previous building.
The school provides a ‘striking’ landmark at the village’s western edge with its charcoal grey brick exterior, copper-coloured cladding, and accents and sawtooth-shaped roof.
The building boasts eight classrooms and an Early Years centre to meet demand from a growing local school population. A new signalised junction with Whitecraig Road was included as part of the project to create a safer route for cyclists and pedestrians.
East Lothian Council revealed that colours, textures and finishes inside create ‘calming and nurturing’ spaces that reflect the area’s history and landscape. A palette of gentle greens echoes the fields around the village offset by soft blues and blush pink with timber dividers and light maple doors. Flashes of mustard mirror the school’s yellow badge while charcoal and slate-coloured wall and flooring finishes link to Whitecraig’s mining heritage.
Councillor Fiona Dugdale, the local authority’s cabinet member for education and children’s and family services, “This is a momentous day for the whole Whitecraig community. The closeness of the new school to the existing building has meant that children have been able to keep a close eye on the project’s progress and excitement has been growing as it has neared completion. Being able to step inside their new school and claim it as their own is exciting for them and for staff.
“Congratulations to all of the teams who have been involved in delivering a new Whitecraig Primary School. With modern, efficient spaces fit for high quality learning and teaching, it will benefit the village now and for generations to come.”
The project received funding from phase one of the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme, administered by Scottish Futures Trust. Morrison Construction was awarded the £18.5 million contact in February 2024 following a competitive tender process.
Work has now begun to disconnect and safely demolish the old school building before the ground is landscaped.
