A ceremony to mark the construction progress of the James Gillespie's High School in Edinburgh has taken place.

Michael Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education, laid the final section of concrete on the first floor of the main teaching block.

He was joined at the ceremony by Councillor Paul Godzik, Education Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council and Paul McGirk, Chief Executive of Hub South East Scotland, the Council's development partner.

The rebuild project is part of the unique James Gillespie's Campus Project which will see new buildings being constructed across all aspects of the campus, serving pupils between the ages of three and 18. The nursery, primary and high schools will all be located on the same site.

Last year, the first phase of the development was completed with the official opening of the new nursery, two new classrooms and a gym at James Gillespie's Primary School. A new synthetic pitch at Thirlestane Road was also delivered for the high school.

With regards to the high school project, this will see most of the existing buildings being replaced in two phases. The first phase started in October 2013 with the demolition of most of the existing buildings to allow the construction of new main teaching block to be progressed. This is now well underway and is scheduled to open in Easter 2015.


The final phase of works will see the delivery of the new sports and performance buildings with the facility expected to open for the start of the 2016/17 school year. In addition to the above, the A-listed Bruntsfield House, situated at the centre of the campus, is also undergoing a major refurbishment.

The project is being delivered by Hub South East Scotland with Morrison Construction having been appointed as the contractors.

Commenting on the construction work, Councillor Paul Godzik, Education Convener, said: "I'm delighted to see the progress that has been made on this project, and to welcome the Cabinet Secretary for Education Michael Russell to James Gillespie's.

"The site is really beginning to take shape now. When I opened the nursery last year I was hugely impressed by what was delivered and I know that pupils and staff are excited about the high school opening.

"This is a really unique project as it benefits children right from nursery age through to their high school years."

Cabinet Secretary for Education Michael Russell added: "The Scottish Government is committed to delivering good quality, well designed, sustainable schools through an investment of £1.25 billion in the Schools for the Future programme.

"I am pleased that we could contribute just over £20 million in funding for the construction of the new James Gillespie's High School which will provide state of the art accommodation for more than 1,000 pupils.

"I am delighted to help mark this milestone in the construction process which will result in a fantastic new school that the whole community can be proud of for many years to come and I look forward to seeing the new school in 2016."

Morrison Construction's Regional Director, Eddie Robertson, commented: "The work is now at a significant stage with the completion of the structural steel frame of the new teaching block, which lets us proceed with all the other construction trades.

"When this is completed and occupied by the school in April 2015, we will enter the final phase, demolishing the last of the old buildings to create the space to build the sports and performing arts buildings and the sports pitches."

Photo: Michael Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education, is joined by James Gillespie's High School pupils, Megan Newby and Finlay Smith, at concrete laying ceremony today. Image provided by Edinburgh City Council.

(JP/MH)