Increased capacity at Beeslack replacement agreed

Midlothian councillors have agreed to increase capacity at the replacement for Beeslack Community High School.

Accommodate 400 extra pupils

The school, which is due to open in 2026/27 at Easter Bush, will now be able to accommodate 1600 pupils, up from 1200 pupils. 

House building taken into account

The move comes after councillors heard that due to the anticipated house building within the next few years, school roll projections showed an extension may be required within two years of opening. 

Some adjustments

The current design can already take 1600 pupils in areas such as gym halls, dining areas and all social spaces. 

Extra classrooms

However, additional classrooms will be needed to accommodate the projected school roll from Bilston, Roslin, Loanhead and Paradykes Primary Schools, although a full community consultation on the school catchment areas will be carried out and is due to start in 2023. 

Consultation in 2023

Councillors will consider the full business case with detailed financial costs at December’s full Council meeting. 

School still in planning stages

Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Ellen Scott said: “Increasing capacity now while the school is still at the planning and design stage, will ease accommodation pressures in other secondary schools, avoid disruption of pupils’ education and pre-empt increasing construction and inflationary costs of an expensive extension.

Acting now

“It’s vital, therefore, we make the right decisions now.”