GRAHAM has completed a £10 million retrofit of Brunstane Primary School in Edinburgh, handing over a fully modernised, low-carbon campus for pupils and staff.

Appointed by the City of Edinburgh Council, the contractor delivered the project in phases with teaching continuing throughout. Works began in October 2024 and have transformed the site into one of the city's most energy-efficient education facilities, supporting the Council's 2030 net-zero ambition.

The completed scheme provides upgraded classrooms, new facilities for staff and pupils, and comprehensive enhancements to the building fabric and external spaces. Improvements include new cladding, replacement windows and new ramps to boost accessibility, alongside photovoltaic panels to generate on-site renewable electricity.

A core element was the switch to low-carbon heating, with air source heat pumps and an electric system replacing the former gas network to cut operational carbon emissions.

Chris MacLeod, regional managing director at GRAHAM Building, said: "The handover of Brunstane Primary School marks the successful completion of a complex retrofit project delivered within a live school environment. Pupils and staff can now benefit from a modern, energy-efficient space that supports both learning and wellbeing, while considered sustainability elements will significantly reduce the building's carbon footprint.

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"Throughout the programme, our focus has been on minimising disruption and working collaboratively with the school to ensure a smooth delivery."

Councillor James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convener said: "We want all our schools and early years settings to offer the best possible learning environment for our children and young people. Central to this is ongoing investment in our school buildings to ensure that they meet the needs of our learners, offer a comfortable learning and teaching setting, and support our net-zero goals.

"It is fantastic to see that the refurbishment works at Brunstane Primary School are complete, just in time for pupils and staff returning after the Easter break. The improvements to the building will make a huge difference to how the school building is used by teachers and pupils in the here and now, and for many future generations of young learners in Brunstane."

During construction, GRAHAM also delivered community benefits. Following engagement with Street League, a young participant undertook a two-week work placement on site and, after a strong performance, secured full-time employment with subcontractor Branniff.

The team further supported Brunstane Nursery through the donation and installation of fencing by Metal Works UK, and contributed equipment to In-Tandem Cycling East Lothian, with items delivered to Queen Margaret University.

Serving the communities of Brunstane and Portobello, the school educates more than 250 pupils and provides early learning and childcare provision.