Milestone reached in new schools campus project
The new Mayfield Community Learning Campus has reached a key milestone with work underway installing the steel frame. An impressive 356 tonnes of hot rolled steel are being used to form the structure, which once completed will allow the internal fit out and external landscaping to begin.
Due to be finished in 2027
Main contractor Kier is building the new campus on behalf of the council and is expected to be finished by spring 2027.
Existing buildings demolished
The existing buildings will be demolished, and the new campus will incorporate Mayfield Primary School, St Luke’s RC Primary School, nursery (early learning), additional support needs and community facilities.
The structure will also incorporate steel beams signed by pupils. Here are P4 Mayfield Primary pupils, Finn, Tyler, Elaya and Iyla (corr) all doing the honours.
A community hub
The campus will also include a grass seven-a-side football pitch, full-sized 3G football pitch, basketball court, community growing space, community meeting rooms, workspaces and library facilities.
Schools at its heart
Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Ellen Scott made a return visit to the site with ward councillors, head teachers and education officers to celebrate the progress. She said: “While the schools will be the heart of this project, our aim is to build an outstanding facility that will also serve the wider community.”
Multi-million-pound project
The £41.8 million project forms part of the Learning Estate Investment Programme and benefits from funding from the Scottish Government.
Significant investment
Councillor Scott added: “This is a significant and timely investment in the future of the Mayfield community. We’re looking forward to welcoming local people and children into a well-designed, modern and inspiring building that responds to the needs of young learners while expanding opportunities for improved health, wellbeing and the local economy.”
Inclusive environment
Phil McDowell, regional director for Kier Construction North & Scotland, added: “Reaching this stage is a significant achievement. Our team is committed to delivering a modern, inclusive environment for over 700 pupils while ensuring the campus becomes a valuable resource for the wider community. We’ve worked hard to minimise disruption and reuse materials on site, reducing waste and traffic.
"We're now looking forward to progressing the next stage of the project which will create an important facility for the region, with the potential to have a really positive impact on local education, health and wellbeing, and community engagement.”
Pupil numbers
The new community campus will accommodate up to 701 pupils in denominational and non-denominational settings. There will be spaces for 24 children with additional support needs and an expanded nursery which will be able to take 100 children from the age of 2-years-old.
Photo captions
In the main picture from left to right are: Alistair Forsyth Kier Senior Project Manager, Andy McTavish Kier Operations Operations Manager Scotland, St Luke's Primary Head Teacher Louise McGuire, Cabinet Member for Education Councillor Ellen Scott, Ward Councillor Stuart McKenzie, Marc Bedwell Midlothian Council Programme Manager – Learning Estate and Mayfield Primary Head Teacher Lindsey Walker, Philip McDowell Kier Regional Director Scotland and Matt Howieson Kier Contracts Manager
Second picture
The structure will also incorporate steel beams signed by pupils. Here are P4 Mayfield Primary pupils, Finn, Tyler, Elaya and Iyla (corr) all doing the honours.