Construction works began yesterday (8 March) at two East Lothian secondary schools.
The works will provide enhanced spaces for learning and improved spaces for young people to socialise.
Contractors have begun setting up site compounds at Ross High School, Tranent, and North Berwick High School ahead of extension and reconfiguration projects.
Ross High School
Works at Ross High School will be undertaken in three phases which will run concurrently: a classroom extension with new social area and dedicated spaces for Art, Business Studies, IT and Modern Languages faculties. Hub South East has been appointed to deliver this extension working with contractors Graham Construction Ltd.
Innovate and FES Support Services will undertake internal alterations to the building to improve the function of spaces. This will see new drama and science rooms created, and enhanced spaces for creative learning support including a life skills kitchen. Finally, two further extensions comprising sports hall, changing facilities and PE staff hub also forms part of their works. Construction is expected to complete by Summer 2022.
North Berwick High School
A three classroom extension is being built on the south-west elevation of North Berwick High School, behind current CDT and languages labs. The new extension will house new Home Economics, Modern Languages and Social Studies classrooms. A courtyard area within the school will also be covered and developed as a social space. Once the extension is completed, reconfiguration of the school’s existing spaces will take place to provide a new Science faculty and other classrooms. The works will be carried out by FES Support Services. The project is due to finish by Autumn 2022.
Every effort will be taken to minimise disruption to the school, its learners and neighbours throughout the works.
"Enhanced spaces"
Cabinet member for Education and Children’s Services, Councillor Fiona Dugdale, said: “I am pleased to see work begin on both of these projects. The new extensions and the re-imagined spaces within each school will provide enhanced spaces for learning and improved spaces for young people to socialise.
“COVID-19 meant we had to reconsider all of our construction programmes and we are grateful to both school communities for their support as we produced a revised timetable. We are all looking forward to these developments getting underway for both North Berwick and Ross High Schools.”