PUPILS are due to step into a new multi-million pound primary school after the February holidays.
Letham Mains Primary School, which is at the heart of more than 800 new homes on Haddington’s western edge, was handed over to East Lothian Council this week.
Next month, following the February school break, the school will be open to pupils, although it remains to be seen when youngsters will attend due to ongoing coronavirus restrictions.
Councillor Shamin Akhtar, who represents the town on East Lothian Council, is the local authority’s spokeswoman for education and children’s wellbeing and welcomed the impressive new school, which has been funded entirely through developers’ contributions.
Ms Akhtar told the Courier: “I am delighted that construction has been completed and Letham Mains Primary officially join our school estate.
“The construction environment over the past 10 months has been challenging and it’s a credit to all those involved that they have been able to continue working safely to complete the building.
“I’d like to congratulate them on their achievements delivering these modern and high quality learning spaces.
“Everyone involved in Letham Mains Primary has been looking forward to this move and to continuing their work to establish East Lothian’s newest school within our community.
“I’d also like to say thank you to everyone at Haddington Primary School for their space and support as the new school was completed.”
Work started on the school in March 2019, with Morrison Construction appointed to the contract following a competitive tender process.
Work was initially due to be complete last summer but, due to Covid-19 restrictions on construction, the timetable was extended.
The £8.6 million school features 14 classrooms, an early learning and childcare centre, a dining hall, dance space and a two court PE hall with retractable seating for performance and community use.
Outside areas have been designed for outdoor learning, PE and play.
The council’s teams will now complete internal works including furnishing, IT and setting up spaces ready for the building to be occupied.
Pupils and staff are due to move into the building after the February break, subject to coronavirus guidance, with the nursery due to open after the Easter holidays.
Letham Mains Primary School currently has 32 pupils across its year groups, with the school currently hosted within Haddington Primary School.
Bruce Murray will be the first headteacher at the new primary school and was looking forward to welcoming parents, carers and pupils through the doors.
He said: “We realise just how fortunate we are to be in the position of taking possession of a brand new school.
“Our pupils, parents and staff have closely followed the building’s progress over the year and we are very excited to be transitioning over.
“It will be an amazing resource to have and we look forward to embedding the school in the community and growing the Letham Mains ‘family’.”
Eddie Robertson, managing director for Morrison Construction Building Central, had enjoyed the scheme, despite the challenge of the global pandemic.
He said: “Everyone involved in the Letham Mains Primary School project deserves recognition for coming together to create a fantastic new school despite the ongoing pandemic.
“It does feel slightly strange to us all to hand over this school when the children can’t be there in their full numbers, but we look forward to all the children being able to occupy and benefit from the first-class facility the team has provided as soon as possible.”
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