The scale and ambition of two new primary schools has become clear as they prepare to open their doors to children in just two days’ time.
We are all incredibly excited to welcome learners, staff and families to Blindwells and Craighall Primary Schools. Every space has been designed with care and created with them in mind.
Blindwells and Craighall primary schools will welcome learners for the first time on Wednesday 13 August. It’s an exciting day for the schools' staff and children, but particularly for the council’s project team who have been responsible for the delivery of the new buildings.
East Lothian Council’s Cabinet member for Education and Children’s and Family Services Councillor Fiona Dugdale said: “This has been an incredible achievement from everyone involved in the delivery of these two new primary schools.
“Delivering two projects of this scale simultaneously is no mean feat and the results are testament to the commitment, skill and professionalism of our in-house teams. They have been resolute in their work to create modern and efficient buildings that offer the best learning and teaching spaces for children and staff and valuable spaces in the heart of their new communities.”
Monitoring quality and cost
East Lothian Council’s Strategic Asset and Property Management Service led on the buildings’ design and interior design and monitored and managed both schools to ensure they meet the required quality and cost levels. They also worked closely with other council services, such as education, IT and facilities management, and the two Head Teachers when appointed, to coordinate all aspects essential to the establishment of a new school ready for staff and children.
The authority worked closely with its development partner, Hub South East, to take the projects from initial designs to completion. JM Architects worked-up designs created by the council’s in-house architects with Balfour Beatty appointed as main contractor.
For learning and community
Both schools have been designed with the shared accommodation of a multipurpose hall, dining, social stair and library placed centrally and classrooms and supporting spaces wrapped around them. The entire buildings are viewed as learning spaces, not just the classrooms, allowing teachers to embrace the variety of environments to deliver their teaching in alternative and more informal ways throughout the school.
A flexible approach means that areas can be used for multiple functions both by the school and external groups, helping to promote the schools as focal points in their newly-established communities.
Extensive glass provides plenty of natural light and views outside to keep the buildings bright and promote wellbeing, while external spaces offer opportunities for structured outdoor, free and imaginative play and woodland exploration.
Natural environments
The interior design has been carefully considered to echo the natural environments surrounding each school and provide a warm and calming atmosphere for children, staff and visitors. Craighall’s palette of sage greens, soft taupes and heather tones complements the natural landscape while deep teal, soft blues and gentle earth tones at Blindwells reflect the area’s mining heritage and the new town’s proximity to the coast. Unique supersized graphics in both schools installed in the multipurpose halls root the buildings firmly in their locations inspired by undulating coastal patterns (Blindwells) and layered geological formations (Craighall).
Councillor Dugdale added: “We are all incredibly excited to welcome learners, staff and families to Blindwells and Craighall Primary Schools. Every space has been designed with care and created with them in mind. I’m very proud of everyone who has been involved in this process. Your work will be appreciated for generations to come.”