John Swinney announces funding for new Edinburgh schools to replace Liberton High and Wester Hailes Education Centre

Both schools were part of the Capital’s bid for government cash under the so-called “Wave 4” of funding for new schools. The government has already committed to support a new Currie High and work is currently under way on a new Castelbrae in Craigmillar and the first phase of Trinity Academy.

Mr Swinney’s announcement included funding for a total of 25 projects in 18 local authorities across Scotland, which he said would boost the construction industry and create jobs as well as providing high-quality, up-to-date schools that parents, staff and children could be proud of.

Also on the list were Penicuik High School and Mayfield Primary School Campus in Midlothian and East Calder Primary in West Lothian.

Edinburgh education convener Ian Perry welcomed the go-ahead for Liberton and WHEC. He said: “Replacement of both these schools has been a top priority for the council and today’s announcement will be really welcomed by their school communities. I’m very pleased the Scottish Government has recognised the strength of our bid as we’re committed to building schools which provide the very best learning environment for our young people.

“Both these projects will provide us with significant opportunities to create, as part of an inclusive net zero-carbon city, community lifelong learning and sports hubs where public services can be co-located with links to active travel networks, green infrastructure and strategic public transport networks.

"It’s a real boost for our ambitious new school building programme which will see £500m planned investment over the next 10 years. We already have a number of schools across the primary, secondary and special sectors opening in the coming year.”

Education vice-convener Alison Dickie added: “This excellent news from the Scottish Government means we can now press on with building these much-needed new schools for Liberton and Wester Hailes. We want schools for the future that are fit for 21st century learning.

“We’re committed to all our new learning estate buildings being constructed in line with our bold commitment of being carbon neutral by 2030 and designed to meet the city-wide aspirations for the curriculum to address all inclusion, digital and outdoor learning requirements and ensuring all our children have the best possible learning environment in which to flourish.”

Current schools projects under construction include: Frogston Primary School, due for completion in spring 2021, Victoria Primary School (summer 2021), St Crispin’s Special School (summer 2021), a new primary school on Canaan Lane in Morningside (end of 2021), Castlebrae Community campus (end of 2021) and Trinity Academy Phase 1 (spring 2022). The new Currie High School is scheduled for completion by summer 2024.

Lothian Tory MSP Miles Briggs welcomed the announcement and said a new building for Liberton High was long overdue. “This is excellent news for pupils and parents who have been campaigning tirelessly for a replacement building. What is important now is that we get a timescale for the replacement school building, so that pupils can benefit from modern state-of-the-art learning facilities as soon as possible.”

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