THE new Wallyford Primary School is taking shape, with the majority of its structural steel frame now complete.

Work on the project, which is part of the new St Clements Wells mixed tenure housing development on the outskirts of the village and has an overall budget of £18.9m, is on schedule to be finished in 2019.

The main foundations and structural steel frame of the middle section of the school have been completed.

Two cranes are now on site to progress the remainder of the steel frame on either side of the central zone, and concrete floors and stairs are also being constructed in the central area.

The new school car park has been formed and work has started on the installation of the perimeter fence.

Good progress is also being made on the construction of the new sports pitches.

Roofing works and progression of external cladding works will also be progressed over the coming months.

Hub South East Scotland, East Lothian Council’s development partner, is delivering the project and Morrison Construction is the main contractor on site.

Roddy Clark, project director for Hub South East, said: “We’re delighted with the excellent progress being made on-site in Wallyford.

“We’re also proud that alongside the build, the project is already delivering real benefits for the community – specifically in creating employment opportunities locally.

“Two local people have been recruited, one as a general operative with Morrison Construction and the other as a groundworker with sub-contractor GBSS.”

The new school, which will replace the existing school building at Salters Road, will initially provide 28 classrooms, as well as 120 pre-school places.

It will also include resources for wider use by the community and has been designed to provide access to the library, sports and other non-teaching facilities.

Councillor Shamin Akhtar, council cabinet spokesperson for education and children’s services, said: “It’s really exciting to see real progress being made at the site and the new school taking shape.

“This new school will not only provide a wonderful and modern learning environment for local children, it will also benefit local residents.

“The new school is part of a wider investment by the council in almost £100 million of new or expanded schools throughout East Lothian over three years, and underlines our strong commitment to providing our children with the best education possible.”