New primary for Easthouses gets underway

Work is underway to build the new Easthouses Primary School.

Old Newbattle High School site

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

The primary school will be in a two-storey block at the northern side of the building with the early years' and ASN spaces in a single storey block at the southern side.

Shared spaces

The two wings will be linked by a shared space with dining facilities, a multi-purpose hall, an arts/movement space, offices and support facilities.

Sunken garden

The two storey wing and the single storey Additional Support Needs space will face each other across a three-sided courtyard with a sunken garden.

Community facilities

Local people will be able to book the external multi-use games area with synthetic surface outside.

High-quality learning spaces

Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for education, Councillor Ellen Scott said: “I am delighted to see this new, state- of-the-art primary school going ahead.  It symbolises everything Midlothian Council wants to provide to our communities – high-quality education, that not only supports our young people’s learning, but also the health and wellbeing of both the children and the wider community.

Welcoming pupils soon

“I am sure, like me, everyone can’t wait to see it being built and ready to welcome its pupils.”

Partnership project

Jmarchitects, appointed through development partner Hub South East, designed the school, which will be built by contractor, Morrison Construction.

Significant milestone

Paul McGirk, Hub South East’s Chief Executive said: ““A great deal of work has gone into the development and design of this project in the background, so starting work on site is a significant milestone in making the new primary school for Easthouses a reality. The designs ensure that pupils and staff will not only enjoy a modern new learning space, including significantly enhanced provision for children with additional support needs, but the local community will benefit from the wider use of the building itself. We look forward to working in partnership with Midlothian Council as the project progresses.”

Bringing social value

David Ewing, the Managing Director for Morrison Construction Building Central, commented: “We are delighted to be getting work underway at Easthouses. We look forward to working in partnership with Midlothian Council to deliver not only a high-quality school and inspiring learning space, but also investment in the local community through our comprehensive social value plans.”

New asset

Phil Zoechbauer, Project Director with jmarchitects added: “We are delighted to be working with Midlothian Council and Hub South East on this project. Importantly, this project is supported by the ambition of our clients which is to provide both a high-quality learning environment as well as a new asset for both the existing and emerging communities in the Easthouses area.”

Improved design

In June 2022, councillors noted improvements to the design of the two stream primary school and approved the £22.044 million overall costs from the capital budget. The school is due to open in August 2024.

In the picture

Cllr Ellen Scott is pictured at the Easthouses site with Paul McGirk, Hub South East’s Chief Executive on the left and David Ewing, the Managing Director for Morrison Construction Building Central.