[Kenspeckle]

Holmes Miller draw up plans for Merchiston Castle sports hall

Urban Realm - 27th April, 2015

Holmes Miller Architects, in collaboration with landscape architects Horner + Maclennan, have drawn up proposals for a new sports hall and 25m pool within the grounds of Merchiston castle School, Edinburgh.

Incorporating a four court sports hall, fitness suite and classrooms, the facility adopts a restrained aesthetic and is partially embedded within the sloping topography of the site to preserve aspects from existing school buildings.

The pool will be separated from the main sports complex by landscaped grounds to maintain views toward Corstorphine Hill from the A-listed Gibson House.

In their design statement Holmes Miller said: “The buildings would not be heavily articulated, but would use a limited palette of materials and would focus on detailing and workmanship to produce architecture of quality and longevity.

“The principal material would be brickwork, which would be specified to compliment the tones of the surrounding stonework to the listed buildings and the materials being used within the landscaping.”

A planning application for the scheme has already been submitted.

 

[Kenspeckle]

£4m boost to revamp nurseries

Edinburgh Evening News - 13th May, 2015

Four dilapidated and crowded nurseries are to be revamped as part of a multi-million pound investment drive.

Leith and Ferryhill primaries, together with Tynecastle and Blackhall nurseries, have been lined up for the £4 million funding boost, which will see existing buildings replaced, improved or expanded.

The spending plans come after the annual free childcare entitlement for all three and four-year-olds, and vulnerable two-year-olds, was increased last year from 475 to 600 hours.

Scottish Government ministers have also provided nearly £10m to city education leaders to achieve the rise.

Teachers today welcomed news of the investment, which they said was sorely needed given the age of many nursery buildings.

Stella Brown, headteacher at Tynecastle Nursery, said: “The existing nursery was built in 1929 and has served the 
children and families of Gorgie and Dalry throughout the 20th century.

“It is now very exciting that the local community has an assured plan for a quality provision for the 21st century.

“The current building has stood the tests of time and served generations of local families well but it needs to be 
updated to create space and meet the requirements for working with younger children and providing support for parents.”

New blueprints have revealed replacement childcare space is to be built for Leith and Ferryhill primaries, and Tynecastle nursery.

Blackhall Nursery – which is voluntary and run by an independent management committee at Ravelston Park Pavilion – will receive around £15,000 for repairs and maintenance.

However, education bosses have decided against ploughing significant funds into major new facilities for Blackhall, with investment instead set to be focussed on financing a standalone nursery at nearby Ferryhill Primary.

Teachers said it would be crucial to strike a balance between providing high quality buildings with sufficient space and maintaining good outdoor play opportunities.

“A nursery for young children is about the whole environment, indoors and out,” said Ms Brown.

“The current site [at Tynecastle] is a very important green space where children play and learn outdoors, benefitting from fresh air and energetic play every day.

“In a city centre nursery, placing value on the improved building whilst maintaining the ‘oasis’ outdoors is vital.”

City bosses said the investment demonstrated their commitment to ensuring the best education outcomes for the Capital’s youngest children.

And they said they were hopeful that fresh funds would be made available in future for improvements at other nurseries.

Councillor Paul Godzik, 
education leader, said: “We really are prioritising younger children in Edinburgh.

“The really important thing in this is that we have a requirement to house eligible two-year-olds. These new nurseries will have space for these children. It shows we’re increasing provision and we’re targeting younger children across the board.”

He added: “We have a continuing commitment to prioritising early years. I’m hopeful there will be future funding rounds and that we’ll be looking at other nurseries to prioritise.”

 

[Kenspeckle]

New Edinburgh primary school being considered

Edinburgh Evening News - 20th May, 2015

Edinburgh's first new primary school in more than 30 years is among a range of options being considered as city chiefs aim to find a solution to overcrowded classrooms.

Three primaries in the south of the city – South Morningside, James Gillespie’s and Bruntsfield – are under extreme pressure from rising rolls.

Conditions are so cramped at South Morningside that almost £700,000 is being spent fitting out nearby Deanbank Resource Centre in Canaan Lane as a temporary solution from August.

Youngsters in primaries one and two are currently being taught in huts in the school playground and at Fairmilehead Church Hall.

The problem was debated at a meeting of the city council’s education, children and families committee yesterday as councillors pored over the Primary School Capacity Pressure in South Edinburgh report.

Amongst three options now being considered is a new primary school – which could cost at least £10 million, funded by the sale of Boroughmuir High School – on the site of Deanbank Resource Centre and the adjacent Oaklands Care Home.

Councillors could also set up a permanent annexe there, hosting children from nursery to primary three, or improve the centre by adding a new gym and nursery.

The plans could have implications on catchment areas for James Gillespie’s and Bruntsfield primaries, as well as Tollcross Primary School. A statutory consultation is set to be launched in August.

It follows the launch of a public consultation into a catchment review at Towerbank Primary in Portobello, which is also overcrowded.

Education leader Councillor Paul Godzik said: “The area to the south of the city has traditionally experienced a higher increased pressure on primary school places than other parts of the city.

“The three affected primary schools all operate from constrained sites with no dedicated playing fields and the ability to extend capacity on their existing sites is severely limited.

“So we are now putting forward formal options for consideration to allow parents and other interested parties to have their say.

“We believe this is a big step forward, and I would encourage local people to make their views known and contribute to the consultation.

“There has been a demand in the area for a solution to this issue for a growing number of years but providing one is not an easy process.

“Parents will now be able to express their views fully and evaluate the different options we are suggesting.”

Boroughmuir High School is being sold to Cala Homes in a £14.5 million deal, which was agreed despite an appeal by Out of the Blue Trust that its £6.2m offer to transform the school into an arts space would have represented better value for money.

 

[Kenspeckle]

Take a look inside one of the most unique school buildings in Scotland

STV Edinburgh - 3rd June, 2015

Welcome to school in the year 2015.

The school bell has been replaced with special synchronised clocks and there's even an outdoor terrace classroom and a science greenhouse...

Today, one of the most unique high school buildings in Scotland was officially opened in Edinburgh.

The main teaching block for the James Gillespie's High School – named the Malala Building – is part of the £42.8m project which covers new buildings for the nursery, primary and high school.

The high school pupils – who picked the name Malala after 17-year-old female education activist Malala Yousafzai, moved into the building in April.

The school was founded in 1803 by tobacco merchant James Gillespie and was the first completely free school in Scotland. It has always been in the Bruntsfield area and the new premises are the fifth, on what is its third site.

Dubbed as one of the most unique high school buildings in Scotland, the new build has 57 classrooms which are all on the outer edge of the building with floor to ceiling windows in each room to maximise light.

Running down the middle of the building is a series of outdoor courtyards, social spaces and the 'forum' assembly which has a special panelled roof which carries sound meaning the speaker can speak at conversational level yet still be heard by the room.

Settling into the building, head teacher Donald Macdonald says the new light environment has created a calming environment for learning.

“The building is extraordinarily quiet,” he said. “We find it is calmer as a result of that.

“The feeling of light and space that it affords is just wonderful. Eventually, when the grounds are landscaped, it will be lovely."

“We have half a dozen spaces where [pupils] can plug in their mobile phones, laptops and there is wifi," Macdonald adds.

“Having just had exam leave with our seniors, most of them chose to come into school rather than staying home to study.

“I have never seen so many children come in which shows what they think about the building.”

The first phase of the building opened in August 2013 with the new nursery, two new classrooms and a gym at the James Gillespie’s Primary and a new synthetic pitch for the high school.

The opening of the Malala building is the latest phase, with the sports and music buildings next on the construction list.

The sports building will include a swimming pool, gym and full basketball court and the music building will have a 300-seater theatre and will be named the Spark building in honour of former pupil Dame Muriel Spark.

Councillor Paul Godzik, Education Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, was among those at the official opening.

"I know the staff and pupils are excited to be in the new teaching block which is really impressive," he said.

"This is a modern, fit-for-purpose facility which is unique in Scotland with its courtyards and collaborative break out areas and will deliver an unrivalled learning environment for pupils.

“Work is already underway on the sports and performing arts buildings which will be finished next year and give the James Gillespie’s community a school they can rightly be proud of for many years to come.”

The Malala building is brimming with new technology with smart boards in every room and computer-controlled temperature controls.

There is also some nice quirks such as an outdoor terrace classroom, a science greenhouse and a block where pupils can show their creative talents and chalk on the pavement.

“We have a mix of mechanical ventilation, air conditioning and under floor heating,” Donald said. “All are computer-generated and controlled.

“As soon as the room gets too stuffy, the ventilation automatically kicks in and keeps oxygen levels at a certain percentage.”

Even the classic school bell has been swapped as a trial in favour of synchronised clocks.

“To promote this feeling of quietness, we have done away with school bells as an experiment,” Donald said.

“Every room has a clock which is radio controlled and they are all synchronised to the second.

“It promotes calmness and quietness so we don't have the cacophony bell going off.”

The entire project is due to be finished in completion for the start of the 2016/17 school year and work to the A-listed Bruntsfield House at the centre of the campus is also undergoing a major refurbishment.

 

[suca90]

nice

 

[Irish Blood English Heart]

Was staying next to this in Marchmont last week, it looked great.

 

[Kenspeckle]

CCG starts construction of George Watson’s College extension

Scottish Construction Now! - 15th June, 2015

Work is underway on an extension to double capacity of the Junior School dining hall at the prestigious George Watson’s College in Edinburgh.

The renovation will improve dining experience for pupils as well as introducing more modern catering facilities within the school. This is the latest development in a programme of work to upgrade pupil facilities including opening a state of the art sports centre in 2012.

Delivering the project is CCG (Scotland) Ltd who have worked on a number of education projects recently including building a new teaching block at Dollar Academy and the construction of the new Libberton Primary School.

Calum Murray, director of CCG, said: “We are proud to be working in partnership with George Watson’s College and support their development programme to upgrade and improve their dining facilities. George Watson’s College has an attractive and historic campus and this project is sympathetically retaining the surrounding campus.”

Melvyn Roffe, Principal of George Watson’s College, added: “We are extremely happy with the progress on our Junior School dining hall extension. Our younger pupils are looking forward to enjoying the benefits of this new facility at lunch and in the after school club early next session.”

Work is scheduled for completion in time for the Autumn 2015 term.

 

[Kenspeckle]

Edinburgh Academy unveil £2m hockey pavilion

Urban Realm - 16th June, 2015

Edinburgh Academy has unveiled a £2m hockey pavilion designed by Richard Murphy Architects, part of a wider master plan for the
school’s Newfield playing pitches within the Inverleith Conservation Area.

Incorporating six changing rooms, a first aid space and storage the pavilion is orientated on a north/south axis with the tree line.
Clad in horizontal timber panels beneath a low-pitch roof finished in zinc the facility has been designed to minimise its visual footprint on neighbouring residential properties.

Commenting on the project Richard Murphy said “Sport has long been an integral feature of life at Edinburgh Academy, and the client's aim was to bring their sporting facilities up to the highest level, starting with this project to create a new Hockey Pavilion.”

The practice has now moved on-site with the next phase of work, the alteration and extension of an existing Rugby Pavilion.

 

[Kenspeckle]

Milestone in Portobello High’s construction

Edinburgh Evening News - 17th June, 2015

Construction of a new Portobello High School has been “topped out” – marking an important milestone in the controversial £41.5 million development.

Set to become the city’s largest secondary with space for 1400 pupils, the school, which is being built in Portobello Park, will boast a swimming pool and two all-weather pitches.

Staff said this would enable core physical education classes to be provided on site, rather than have pupils bussed to different premises as currently happens.

Locals will also be able to book pitches free of charge as one of the measures put in place to compensate for the loss of the park.

Retiring headteacher Peigi Macarthur was joined by Councillor Paul Godzik, city education leader, and Hector MacAulay, managing director of builders Balfour Beatty, which is building the new school.

Mrs Macarthur, who laid the final piece of concrete during yesterday’s ceremony, said: “It was a lovely surprise to be asked to carry out the topping out today.

“There have been lots of highs and lows in my 35-year career in education and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as headteacher of Portobello High School, but the time is now right for me to hand over the reins as a new and exciting chapter begins in the school’s history.”

Topping out of the new school comes after construction was delayed by an upheld legal challenge from members of Portobello Park Action Group.

The city council was then forced to lodge a private Bill at the Scottish Parliament to allow education-related development on the land.

Work eventually began on the site in October last year – six years after the school, which has a current roll of around 1300 pupils, was first approved.

Cllr Godzik said: “[Topping out] is a key stage in the Portobello project and an exciting day for everyone involved.

“Many people in the local area will be delighted to see the excellent progress being made on site as the school finally takes shape after so many years of uncertainty.

“What we’ve seen as architectural images are now coming to life and already it is clear it is going to be a fantastic, state-of-the-art building.

“Having Peigi top out the building is a fitting tribute 
after the key role she has played in the project and a lovely way to mark her 
retirement.”

Cllr Godzik added: “Rebuilding Portobello High School is one of the Capital Coalition’s highest priorities and we were determined to ensure we met this 
commitment.

“The building is on schedule and I look forward to seeing the new school, which will open its doors to pupils in summer 2016.”

Mr MacAulay, Balfour Beatty regional managing director for Eastern Scotland, said work on the school was progressing well.

He said: “Portobello High School is going to provide a state-of-the-art learning platform for future generations in the city and it is great to see some of the current students here to mark this milestone as we reach the highest point in the construction of this fantastic new facility.”

 

[Kenspeckle]

The Edinburgh Reporter tours the new Portobello High School construction site.

134997862

 

[Kenspeckle]

Edinburgh to build 9 new schools

Edinburgh Evening News - 23rd October, 2015

Schools and roads are set for an investment boost of almost £300 million to ensure the Capital can cope with plans for around 14,400 new homes over the next ten years.

As many as nine schools – including a replacement for Castlebrae Community High – could be built across the city, with major sums also set to be ploughed into roundabouts, footpaths and streets.

The improvements would support the delivery of the proposed local development plan (LDP), which will see more than 9200 flats and houses erected throughout the city.

It is predicted a further 5200 homes will be built at “unprogrammed” or “windfall” locations – such as former industrial sites – which become available unexpectedly.

An additional junction on the A8, close to the Royal Highland Centre, a flyover at Sherrifhall, new cycle links in the south of the city and further improvements to bus stops, are all among key developments which could be taken forward.

Fresh analysis has revealed that the total cost of improvements required to support the planned scale of housing development is around £296m.

If funded entirely through borrowing, the investment would leave the city facing annual loan charges of around £12.5m.

However, council bosses have indicated a significant proportion of the estimated construction cost could be covered by leveraging in contributions from developers.

They have also suggested a proposed £1 billion “city deal” – which includes the three Lothian authorities, as well as the Scottish Borders and Fife – could help fund some services required for residents living in new developments.

However, it has emerged that schools and other buildings defined as “social infrastructure” would not be financed through a successful bid for city region cash.

Council chiefs said the plan had been put together in response to the city’s rapid growth.

Projections published last year showed Edinburgh’s population would shoot up by more than 28 per cent from the 2012 figure of 482,640 to 618,978 in 2037.

Councillor Ian Perry, the Capital’s planning leader, said: “We have to prepare an action programme. That means we have to assess what the infrastructural costs will amount to when we implement the local development plan.

“We’re a growing city and that’s why we need the 14,000 or so houses that we’ve got to produce.

“£296m will pay for all of the infrastructure that we require to build all these houses. It’s a wow figure.”

The latest blueprints show there are plans for up to eight new primary schools at Leith waterfront, Granton waterfront, Maybury, Gilmerton, Broomhill, Brunstane, Greendykes and Builyeon Road.

Proposals have also been unveiled which could see Castlebrae Community High extended or replaced completely on a new site at Niddrie Mains Road in south-east Edinburgh.

In addition, the plans support housing development on two sites at Maybury and Cammo, despite a campaign by locals who are fighting to preserve the green belt status of Cammo Fields.

It has emerged that city bosses are seeking to strike a deal with the Scottish Government which would see ministers underwrite borrowing.

This would allow certain projects to access bank or private finance which could then be used to support infrastructure investment.

The option of a loan fund to provide “initial seed funding” for projects has also been put forward in a bid to minimise the impact of future development on city budgets. However, despite its scale, the current local development plan will provide fewer than a third of the 48,000 homes which the council’s own analysis has indicated will be required to cope with surging population growth over the next decade.

City leaders have also admitted the plans will create a huge budgetary challenge, although they stressed that it would be some years before any significant financial pressure is felt.

“[The £296m] is quite a substantial figure,” said Cllr Perry. We can ask for developer contributions but that’s not a straightforward process. Every site is different and the cost of developing each site is different.

“On the basis of that, we would be left with a £152m cost for the council for the infrastructure.

“That’s a big figure – roughly half of the overall cost.

“But the key figure for us on a planning basis is that it will cost us £12m a year on the revenue budget to borrow that amount of money over 20 years. That’s unless there is another way of paying for the infrastructure cost.”

The proposed LDP was submitted to the Scottish Government’s Directorate of Planning and Environmental Appeals for examination in June this year.Cllr Perry said the latest infrastructure improvement blueprint was a “live” document and would be subject to annual review to ensure it meets the needs of the city.

And he stressed that actual delivery of the plan was still a long way off and subject to negotiation with developers and ministers.

“The LDP process is not completed,” he added.

“It will be completed next year. Even with a fair wind, it won’t kick in immediately. It will kick in at some point in the future.”

 

[Kenspeckle]

Scott Brownrigg submit plan for modular Edinburgh classrooms

Urban Realm - 19th November, 2015

Scott Brownrigg has submitted plans on behalf City of Edinburgh Council to erect a two storey block of ancillary accommodation at Fox Covert Primary school offering additional classroom space and break-out areas.

Embracing efficiencies in standardisation of components and design with similar classroom expansions around the city the fibre cement clad build seeks to minimise loss of playground space whilst accommodating the needs of expanding rolls in the city.

Featuring a cutaway corner highlighting the main entrance the linear block colour accents will be employed at window reveals and entrance points to enliven the façade.

In their design statement the architects said: “We have looked to develop a simple and vernacular form
for the massing of the building - this is a modern classroom building and it should have a simple and modern aesthetic.”

Internally spaces are designed to be as flexible as possible with ground floor areas opening out to the playground and first floor reaching up to the underside of the sloping roof.

 

[Kenspeckle]

New dining hall designs revealed for four schools

Edinburgh Evening News - 23rd November, 2015

Fresh images have been unveiled showcasing the new facilities set to be built at four Edinburgh schools to cater for the roll-out of free school meals.

Under plans lodged today, Cramond, East Craigs, Towerbank and Sciennes primary schools will all get new halls to allow them to safely seat their pupils together during meal times.

The Scottish Government introduced its flagship free school meals policy in January, but fears were raised after it emerged four of the Capital’s largest primaries did not have enough space to seat all P1 to P3 pupils entitled to the scheme.

Both Cramond and East Craigs currently only have one small hall to cater for lunches and PE lessons, while Towerbank and Sciennes also suffer from a lack of space.

But under the latest proposals, Cramond and East Craigs will get new gym halls, while Towerbank and Sciennes will see extensions put in place to expand their current dining halls.

The £4.5 million move – funded by a capital grant from the Scottish Government and driven forward by the council – will see the extra space brought in towards the end of next year if proposals get the go-ahead.

It is understood all four primary schools are currently coping with the lack of space by staggering meal times for each year group.

Parents hailed the new plans as “extremely welcome”.

Geoff Lynn, chairman of Portobello Community Council and father of three children at Towerbank, said the primary was currently running “a bit of a military operation” to make sure all the youngsters got their free lunch.

He said: “The council and the school have been juggling the space.

“They do a pretty incredible job at lunchtimes, feeding getting on for 700 kids in what is a traditional, Victorian-designed building. It’s a difficult operation to get all those kids fed and watered – and the kids all play their part as well by tidying up. They are making a really great job out of what is quite a difficult situation.

“Hopefully by expanding the accommodation that will be a benefit at lunchtime.

“It’s not ideal to be losing playground space, but we are working with a Victorian building so it’s never going to be an ideal scenario.”

Figures for the first three months of the year showed that the average free school meal take-up in Edinburgh for all P1 to P3s was 70.3 per cent.

Councillor Paul Godzik, the city’s education leader, said: “Parents at the four schools will be pleased to see the designs for the new accommodation and hear that planning applications have now been submitted.

“The schools have worked extremely hard to provide meals in difficult circumstances and I’m sure staff are looking forward to the new facilities.

“The take-up for free school meals has been really encouraging and supports our commitment to serve healthy and nutritious meals. “

Earlier this year, the city council became the first to be awarded the Bronze Food for Life Catering Mark. The new plans will go before planning chiefs at the start of next year.


Read more: http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.c...aled-for-four-schools-1-3955783#ixzz3sJt53dQs

Leader: Dinner halls should be fit for purpose

Pupils, parents and staff alike have good reason to cheer the news that school premises in Edinburgh will be extended to create fit-for-purpose traditional dinner halls.

A nostalgic over-indulgence? That may be the reaction of some in the city. But how school meals are served – and the arrangements for pupils to enjoy them – are as important as freshly prepared and nutritious food.

The orthodoxy until now has been that dinner halls aren’t really needed – and that staff could save space and money by using gym halls and staggering meal times to cope.

It sounds straightforward in theory – until you face the practical problems of rota organisation, queuing and shifting furniture back and forth every day. It can be a military operation.

The cost in terms of staff time soon mounts. And the delay and upheaval involved in such arrangements works to encourage pupils to skip the school meal and make other arrangements.

Under new plans, new dining hall provision is proposed at four Edinburgh primary schools – Cramond, East Craigs, Towerbank and Sciennes – allowing pupils to sit safely together during meal times.

All four are currently coping with the lack of space by staggering meal times for each year group. But under the new proposals, Cramond and East Craigs will get new gym halls, while Towerbank and Sciennes will see extensions put in place to expand their current dining halls.

Figures for the first three months of the year showed that the average free school meal take-up in Edinburgh for all P1 to P3s was 70.3 per cent. Hopefully the new arrangements should result in a higher rate of take-up.

Doing things together should also help to build the esprit de corps of a school as well as enhancing the lunchtime experience.


Read more: http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.c...ld-be-fit-for-purpose-1-3955811#ixzz3sJtnxMQF

Cramond

East Craigs

Sciennes

 

[Kenspeckle]

Queensferry Community High to be rebuilt by 2020

Edinburgh Evening News - 25th January, 2016

Pupils and staff at a city secondary are celebrating after it was confirmed the school is to receive a multi-million pound cash injection for a new campus.

Scottish Government ministers have confirmed Queensferry Community High will be rebuilt by 2020 as part of their Schools For The Future programme.

Although precise figures have not been released, it is believed the building will cost in the region of £30m, with around two thirds of that being funded by the government and city council chiefs covering the remainder.

Confirmation of the investment will come as a relief to teachers and youngsters after earlier plans for a replacement building were delayed by changes to European accounting rules.

Signed off under the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), the project was originally among those treated as private sector based. But updated regulations meant it could have been categorised under the public heading, leading to a major impact on budgets and forcing detailed contract reviews.

It has emerged SFT leaders have successfully re-drafted construction proposals, enabling the project to retain its private classification.

School leaders said the money would transform the learning environment on offer.

Headteacher John Wood said: “The school’s staff, pupils, parents and partners are excited by the new build and the contribution we can make to its design.

“It will give us opportunities to make sure that the facilities are appropriate for the most up-to-date thinking around learning and the courses that we can offer our young people.

“Of course we will also need to challenge ourselves to look ahead to future generations who will follow and how they too may benefit from this exciting new phase of Queensferry Community High School.”

City bosses also welcomed news of the investment.

Councillor Paul Godzik, education leader, said: “This funding will allow us to replace the existing school and provide first class facilities that can be used both by the school community during the day and the wider local community outside school hours.

“Upgrading and improving our schools continues to be a key priority for the Capital Coalition.”

Angela Constance, cabinet secretary for education, said: “The new Queensferry High School will be a fantastic, modern building that pupils, teachers and the whole community will enjoy for generations to come.

“Two secondary schools and one primary school are currently being built in Edinburgh through our Schools for the Future programme and I’m delighted even more pupils will benefit from the funding through the new school announced today.”


Read more: http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.c...to-be-rebuilt-by-2020-1-4010462#ixzz3yG1IVvYo

 

[Kenspeckle]

Edinburgh schools to be given £22m to tackle overcrowding

Edinburgh Evening News - 29th February, 2016

Seven overcrowded primary schools face being expanded, redesigned or having their catchments changed – as new figures show the cost of dealing with cramped classrooms across the Capital is set to balloon to nearly £22 million.

Bruntsfield, Liberton, Newcraighall, St Margaret’s RC and Trinity primaries have all been included in the latest phase of the city’s rising rolls programme.

And it has emerged Stockbridge and Victoria primaries – where space-boosting work has already been carried out – have been lined up for fresh investment as teachers prepare for surging demand beyond 2017.

Education bosses said each school was operating under unique circumstances and that the options available to address accommodation issues would vary.

Estimates also show the overall bill for campus expansions and revamps in Edinburgh is likely to jump to £21.58m by 2020-21.

With just under £20m set aside, city leaders have admitted they will need to find nearly £1.7m to plug the gap.

Opposition figures said the problem of crowded schools would only be solved through proper planning.

Councillor Melanie Main, education spokeswoman for the Greens, said: “When extensions built in playgrounds within the last couple of years are not enough to cope with the continuing rise in rolls and more building is required, continuing this piecemeal approach has to be seriously questioned.

“I have always argued for a long-term approach to the schools estate and, with the rising rolls moving into secondary schools, this is needed now more than ever.”

Updated projections show the city-wide primary roll will increase from 28,804 pupils at the start of the 2015-16 session to an estimated 31,300 by 2020, and then increase further to 35,400 by 2030.

Parent leaders said the 
council appeared to have the school space issue under control.

Alex Ramage, parent representative on the city’s education committee, said: “What the council has chosen to do is look at it each year, at the start of the session, when we know which schools will be in a difficult situation, and say, ‘we will extend those schools if necessary’.

“That seems an entirely sensible approach.”

City bosses stressed that the budget for expanding overcrowded schools had already been quadrupled to nearly £20m.

Education leader Councillor Paul Godzik said: “Over the past three years we have delivered an additional 70 modern, high-quality class spaces in our primary school estate, which have been very much welcomed by staff, parents and pupils.

“However it is clear that, given the continued rise in pupil numbers and the expected pressure on the secondary estate, additional resources in future capital budgets will need to be identified.”


Read more: http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.c...o-tackle-overcrowding-1-4039477#ixzz41XwyOQcX

 

[dadabouttown]

Edinburgh schools to be given £22m to tackle overcrowding

Edinburgh Evening News - 29th February, 2016

70 new primary classrooms in last 3 years alone. It's been going for a decade or two. My own kids primary had a new extension of 8 classrooms about 8 years ago. There's also been high profile rebuilds or newbuilds at secondary with more Like S Queensferry planned.

It's an easy thing to overlook - and there are certainly schools still needing upgraded or replaced - but we've seen and are seeing a physical overhaul of schools in the city in the last 20 years on a scale that hasn't been seen for a very long time.

I'm inside Broughton HS a lot and as it's the community hub for my sons footie team - and on astros and inside other schools around the city at away games. The facilities are first rate. I've not seen any performance evaluation but I suspect new facilities must have some impact on performance as schools get a lift from 'relaunching' and the actual facilities act to help attitudes, teaching, discipline etc.

However it can only ever be part of the jigsaw. My sons team's goalie just got expelled from a newbuild secondary for persistent issues - most recently setting off the fire alarm several times in one day. They always say goalies are a bit loco!

 

[Kenspeckle]

Opening of £41m Portobello High School delayed

Edinburgh Evening News - 8th March, 2016

The opening of the new £41m Portobello High School has been delayed.

Pupils were due to move into the replacement campus in August - but are now likely to have to wait until January 2017.

A letter sent out to parents on Tuesday said contractors Balfour Beatty were struggling to secure a drainage connection with Scottish Water.

Head teacher Ruth McKay wrote: “Work is ongoing to resolve the issue, however in the meantime we are planning on the basis that we will move into the new school in January 2017


Read more: http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.c...o-high-school-delayed-1-4052884#ixzz42KpsFDHI

 

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Edinburgh’s ‘worst school building’ to get £4m revamp

Edinburgh Evening News - 16th March, 2016

New images have been released showing how a hall dubbed the Capital’s “worst school building” would look once a 
£4 million revamp is complete.

The designs were drawn up after city leaders decided to save Duncan Place Resource Centre in Leith, which had been earmarked for demolition amid concerns over its structure.

Any move to bulldoze the hall would probably have failed strict tests set down to protect historic sites, officials said.

Instead, it was agreed only the rear part of the centre would go, with a new gym and nursery erected in its place and the remaining block made safe.

Leith Primary Parent Council (LPPC) welcomed the blueprints after expressing concerns over delays caused by full demolition proposals which were later cancelled.

A spokeswoman said: “The Leith Primary Parent Council is very pleased that the plans for the school’s new gym and nursery are on track.

“We are looking forward to having increased nursery provision on site, and are excited about the prospect of a new, fully equipped gym, which will be a great resource for the school’s pupils and staff.

“We look forward to seeing the project progress in a safe and timely manner.”

Duncan Place Resource Centre was 
previously used for PE lessons at Leith Primary and to host a nursery class from the same school.

However, it was ranked bottom of 144 school buildings in an audit and closed suddenly in 2014, leaving dozens of community groups homeless.

At the time, officials stressed there was no immediate safety risk, adding that the closure was a “precautionary step”.

City chiefs today said the new development would transform learning and exercise opportunities for young people.

Councillor Paul Godzik, education leader, said: “This is a really exciting project which will see a new nursery and gym built at the school.

“We are working hard to get these new facilities delivered as soon as possible and are making great progress.

“We now have approval to demolish the rear of the Duncan Place building to make room for the new gym and nursery, the designs for which have now been submitted to planning and which look fantastic.”

A drop-in information session was recently held at Leith Primary to give those in the school and local community an opportunity to see designs for the redeveloped building. Staff said the response so far had been “very positive”.

Cllr Godzik added: “We will continue to ensure the local community are kept fully updated as the project continues.”

Duncan Place Resource Centre was built in the 1920s and is a category C-listed building.

A playground extension has also been completed following successful moves to transfer a section of neighbouring St Andrew Place to Leith Primary.


Read more: http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.c...ding-to-get-4m-revamp-1-4072349#ixzz433XcR7Rz

 

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New designs show £11m school will be a class act

Edinburgh Evening News - 19th March, 2016

New images have been released revealing how an 
£11 million replacement campus for a city school will look.

The designs show the exterior, grounds and internal spaces proposed for the new St John’s Primary, Portobello, giving pupils and parents an advance taste of life at the school.

Education bosses said maximising play and outdoor activity opportunities for youngsters had been a key consideration when drawing up blueprints.

The new St John’s will be built on part of the existing Portobello High site in Duddingston Road.

Among its planned features are bespoke outdoor teaching areas, wigwams, a dedicated “story hut”, a sports pitch, orchards and a timber playpole “forest”.

The building will also feature two-storey-high window sections aimed at ensuring as much light is let in as possible.

Drop-in information sessions have already been held for local families ahead of the submission of a full planning application.

Teachers said there was mounting excitement at the prospect of the development proceeding.

Barbara Service, principal at St John’s, said: “Everyone at the school is really looking forward to the school opening as it will open up amazing learning opportunities for our children.

“The new facility will create a wonderful educational environment and we’re also going to get a new playground with plenty of space for the children.

“The architects have been fantastic and taken on board the suggestions from both the pupils on ideas for the new playground and the nursery team for the nursery.

“I’ve also visited other new schools to get ideas for what we would like to see in ours.”

City chiefs also welcomed publication of the designs, which were produced by Holmes Miller Architects.

Councillor Paul Godzik, education leader, said: “I am sure pupils, staff and the local community are excited at seeing these proposed images of the new buildings and playground.

“Everyone is now really looking forward to seeing these images turned into reality for what promises to be a fantastic school.”

The current Portobello High site is also due to be transformed into a £1m park situated next to the new St John’s campus. Work on the green space – which will take place once the current high school has been bulldozed – is set to start in summer 2018.

As well as helping to choose the design, residents have been voting on whether the park should be called St John’s or Treverlen – the original name for Duddingston, meaning “settlement by the lake of reeds”.

The new, £41m Portobello High – which is nearing completion at Portobello Park following years of delays – is expected to take its first pupils at the start of 2017, with the old building then scheduled for demolition.


Read more: http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.c...l-will-be-a-class-act-1-4076757#ixzz43NA9YUpe

 

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Emerging plans for the new St John's RC Primary School - to be built on the site of the soon-to-be-demolished Portobello High School on Duddingston Road.