Cabinet Secretary officially opens Easthouses Primary
Pupils at Easthouses Primary greeted Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Jenny Gilruth with songs and poems when she officially opened the Midlothian school today (Wednesday).
Tour of the building
The Cabinet Secretary and VIP guests including Council Leader Councillor Kelly Parry also enjoyed a tour of the building, which boasts two wings linked by a shared space with dining facilities, a multi-purpose hall, an arts space, office and support facilities.
Former secondary school site
The building, on the site of the former Newbattle High School, can accommodate 459 pupils. It has 16 places to support children with Additional Support Needs (ASN) from across Midlothian, 80 pre-school places, and a small school for children who are deaf.
Transforming lives
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: "Modern, well-equipped schools, can have a transformative impact on pupils’ education and I am grateful that Midlothian Council have chosen to prioritise investment in the creation of Easthouses Primary School.
“Under this Government the number of schools in good and satisfactory condition has increased markedly from 62.7% in 2007 to 91.7% in 2024. Nationally we have resources a transformation in Scotland’s school estate, supported by the Scottish Government’s £2 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme in partnership with local authorities.”
Much loved space
Welcoming Ms Gilruth, Council Leader Councillor Kelly Parry said: “The building came to life last August when pupils and staff walked through the doors for the first time. From that day forward the staff and children in pre-school, primary, complex needs and the school of the deaf continue to love their environment for learning and socialising.
Special thanks
“We are very grateful to the many people involved in the design, construction, delivery and running of this school. Special thanks go to JM architects and Morrison Construction for the design of the spaces, use of materials and quality of the build. Our investment in the learning estate will benefit the Easthouses community for generations to come.”
Thumbs up from pupils
Kyson, 11, said he was loving his new school, especially the MUGA sports pitch. He added: "And I really like how it has been built."
On time and on budget
Delivered on time and on budget by development partner, Hub South East, Easthouses Primary is a new school formed from realigning the catchment areas of King’s Park, Woodburn, Mayfield, Bonnyrigg and Newtongrange.
In the picture
From left to right at the back: Easthouses Primary School Acting Depute Head Jamie Dougal, Lord-Lieutenant of Midlothian Lieutenant Colonel Richard Callander, Midlothian Council Leader Councillor Kelly Parry, Midlothian Council's Executive Director, Children, Young People and Partnerships Fiona Robertson, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth and Midlothian Council's Cabinet Member for Education Councillor Ellen Scott. At the front, from left to right are pupils Naomie, Charlotte, Naomi and Kyson.