Excellent progress and social impact being made on the new Easthouses Primary School project

The new Easthouses Primary School project is making excellent progress on site and is set to open in August 2024, with Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Education Councillor Ellen Scott visiting last week to see first-hand the construction work undertaken and to hear about the fantastic community benefits being delivered locally.

She said: “The project is on schedule and on budget, so I’d encourage local families to apply for a place now. 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.  With the school and community facilities taking shape, head teacher Jennifer Allison is very excited about her new role and even the school badge chosen, all we need now are the pupils.”

Delivered through the council’s development partner Hub South East, the school has been designed by jmarchitects and is being built by Morrison Construction.

On a tour with Andrew Thornton, Hub South East’s Project Director and Alan May, Construction Manager with Morrison Construction, Cllr 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, Hub South East’s Project Director said: “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 school will start as a trainee Quantity Surveyor with Morrison Construction In August, being sponsored through his University degree.

With the support of a generous supply chain, the project has also benefited local community 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, Managing Director 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.

Cllr Scott said: “Local people can keep up to date with the project’s progress via our newsletters, available in local community spaces and emailed to community groups.”

Midlothian Council is inviting applications for places at the new Easthouses Primary, which will open in August 2024. Parents and carers who would like their child to attend the new Easthouses Primary School should please email the school: ku.vog.naihtoldm@sp.sesuohtsaE