New Year, new school for Whitecraig Primary pupils

Staff were on hand on Wednesday to welcome children to their new school which has been developed on land adjacent to the previous building.

The new school provides a striking landmark at the village’s western edge with its charcoal grey brick exterior, copper-coloured cladding and accents and sawtooth-shaped roof.

The building has eight classrooms and an Early Years centre to meet demand from a growing school population in the area. A new signalised junction with Whitecraig Road was included as part of the project to create a safer route for cyclists and pedestrians.

Colours, textures and finishes inside create calming and nurturing spaces that reflect the area’s local history and landscape with ample references to the natural world.

A palette of gentle greens echoes the fields around the village offset by soft blues and blush pink with timber dividers and light maple doors. Flashes of mustard mirror the school’s yellow badge while charcoal and slate-coloured wall and flooring finishes link to Whitecraig’s mining heritage.

East Lothian Council’s cabinet member for Education and Children’s and Family Services, Councillor Fiona Dugdale, said: “This is a momentous day for the whole Whitecraig community.

“The closeness of the new school to the existing building has meant that children have been able to keep a close eye on the project’s progress and excitement has been growing as it has neared completion. Being able to step inside their new school and claim it as their own is exciting for them and for staff.

“Congratulations to all of the teams who have been involved in delivering a new Whitecraig Primary School. With modern, efficient spaces fit for high quality learning and teaching, it will benefit the village now and for generations to come.”

The project received funding from phase one of the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme, administered by Scottish Futures Trust. Morrison Construction was awarded the £18.5 million contract in February 2024 following a competitive tender process. 

Work has now begun to disconnect and safely demolish the old school building before the ground is landscaped.