WORK on a £10 million expansion to Dunbar Grammar School has been temporarily delayed.

The two-storey extension, which will cost more than £10 million, was due to get under way in May.

But delays have meant the work is yet to start, with work now scheduled for the middle of September.

Despite the delay, East Lothian Council remains confident the work will be complete by next August.

A spokesman said: “‘Although some preliminary works are under way, the programme for progressing the main extension works at Dunbar Grammar School has been delayed by formal completion of the legal work in relation to the contract with the PPP consortium.

“The council is working closely with the main contractor to re-programme the extension works to ensure that sufficient accommodation will be completed by August 2018 to meet the education requirements for the beginning of that session.

“The extension is the next phase in a wider package of improvements within the existing school building and new build.

“Significant improvements have already taken place and been completed within the existing building.

“This includes the creation of a new social space, alterations and the reconfiguration of corridors to improve flow and movement. Separately, some internal alteration and improvement work has taken place during the summer holidays.”

The second phase of the plans was given the go-ahead earlier this year.

The new extension will include not only additional classrooms but also staff bases, a new home economics department, a new library and learning centre with dedicated IT space, additional PE changing rooms and new suited accommodation for pupil and learning support.

The new accommodation will include a large covered ‘social hub’, which can be used for group and individual teaching, as well as presentations and other social uses.

On the school website, headteacher Paul Raffaelli said: “I have given a commitment to staff and students, and would equally like to give parents/carers a commitment that I will do everything in my power to ensure that teaching and learning, along with health and safety, continue to be the priorities.”