A total of 23 new classrooms have opened in Edinburgh.

The new facilities aim to address an increase in the number of children enrolling in schools in the city.

At Victoria Primary School, St David's RC Primary School, Craigour Park and Broughton Primary Schools, a total of 18 high quality classrooms have been constructed. It breaks down as Broughton (4), Craigour Park (6), St David's RC (4) and Victoria (4), while both St David's RC and Craigour Park have a second phase of more classrooms designed if they are needed in future years.

A further five rooms have been created at another four schools; Bruntsfield, Fox Covert, Gylemuir and Stockbridge.

The investment, at a cost of £3.8m, has been funded by the local authority and has been carried out in conjunction with Hub South East Scotland Ltd and Morrison Construction.


Councillor Paul Godzik, Education Convener for Edinburgh Council, said: "I'm delighted that for the second year in a row we have successfully delivered much-needed class spaces for our primary schools pupils.

"We will continue to listen to parents' views and work with school communities as we move forward together on our plans for even more new class spaces. Whether it is traditional extensions, new buildings or the refurbishment of existing space, we are committed to providing the very best educational environment for our pupils."

Jo Elliot, Chair of Hub South East Scotland Ltd, added: "This is the second year running that we have successfully delivered additional classrooms on schedule and on budget for the City of Edinburgh Council, and we are proud to have played our part in finding innovative solutions to assist with the issue of rising school rolls."

David Wilson, Project Director for Morrison Construction, commented: "We are delighted to be able to continue our relationship with the City of Edinburgh Council and Hub South East Scotland Ltd and have successfully together, for the second year running, completed the construction of additional classroom space to meet the changing needs of the schools involved with regarding to rising school rolls."

In addition to the above, the Council has identified nine more primary schools where further classrooms could be needed for the 2015/16 session. Plans for the delivery of these are already underway.

(JP/IT)