All the paperwork is now in place which allows the building work at the new multi-million pound school to begin.
Construction has started on the new James Gillespie’s High School in Edinburgh, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed today, after the project reached financial close.
Financial close occurs when all the project and financing agreements have been signed and all the required conditions contained in them have been met.
The £34 million school, which is being built for the City of Edinburgh Council, will be part funded by the Scottish Government’s £1.25 billion ‘Scotland’s Schools for the Future’ programme and will house 104 staff and 1,150 pupils.
The project involves the demolition of the existing school buildings, the construction of a new teaching block and brand new sports and performance buildings on the campus. All of the plans and related papers can be viewed on the council’s planning website here.
The Grade A-listed Bruntsfield House at the centre of the campus will also undergo a major refurbishment.
The school, which is due to be completed by summer 2016, is expected to support up to 250 jobs during construction, six modern apprenticeships and a host of work experience opportunities.
Ms Sturgeon said:“In Scotland we are building many new schools, and refurbishing still more to provide an excellent learning environment for staff and pupils.
“Investment in infrastructure projects such as the new James Gillespie’s High School, not only supports jobs and apprenticeships locally,but it also helps the wider Scottish economy.
“This project is part of the Scottish Government’s £1.25 billion ‘Scotland’s Schools for the Future’ programme which will see the construction of 67 new schools and the movement of 46,000 pupils into top quality accommodation.”
Councillor Paul Godzik, Education Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said:
“This is a really unique project as it benefits children right from nursery age through to their high school years.
“I was really impressed with the high quality facilities at the primary school which I opened last month and those buildings have definitely set the standard for the high school.
“We are delighted to be working with the Scottish Government on this important project.”
Paul McGirk, Chief Executive of Hub South East Scotland, the City of Edinburgh’s development partner, said:
“We are excited that, after the successful delivery of a new nursery and gym for James Gillespie’s Primary School, we have begun construction of the High School.
“A great deal of work has gone into this project in the background, so reaching financial close is a significant milestone in the redevelopment of the campus.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose facility which will benefit both children and staff.”
Speaking on behalf of contractors Morrison Construction, Galliford Try Chief Executive Greg Fitzgerald said:
“Our relationship with Hub South East Scotland Limited is an important element of our Morrison business in Scotland and we are pleased to be selected for this significant education project for Edinburgh.
“We will continue to work with our public and private sector colleagues in Scotland to find innovative ways of delivering these projects that are so beneficial for local communities.”
Gemma Gordon, Schools Programme Director with Scottish Futures Trust, said:
“SFT’s work in managing the Scotland’s Schools for the Future programme has meant an additional 12 schools will be built from within the existing £1.25 billion budget.
“James Gillespie’s High School is the first revenue-financed project to be delivered by the South East Hub.
“Reaching financial close means construction is underway now rather than waiting many years for capital funding to become available.”
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