Expanding Edinburgh Schools with smart, sustainable solutions

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With rising school admissions, the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) sought a rapid and efficient solution for expanding learning spaces across its schools.

At a glance

The City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) required expanded learning space for approximately 450 pupils at primary and secondary schools in the district.
Using cutting-edge construction methods, the projects team overcame challenging timelines and space constraints.
Our team’s interventions led to reductions in energy consumption and costs throughout the construction phases, and beyond into operation.
Designs achieved EPC Scotland Classification of ‘Excellent, Carbon Neutral’.
The new facilities enhanced the learning environment for teachers and pupils.

As a trusted FM provider with a strong track record in delivering educational infrastructure, Amey designed and implemented modular classrooms at Castleview Primary School and Royal High School, building on previous successes in similar projects. Our approach maximised offsite construction, minimised disruption, and integrated low-carbon technologies to support the council’s Net Zero goals.

Constrained timelines and limited campus space posed significant design and delivery challenges.

Increasing capacity within tight constraints

Amey’s Scottish projects and facilities management team have provided services across Edinburgh’s school estates since 2007 under its PFI contracts. Established in 2016, the team has developed a strong relationship with the client and schools, offering professional advice and technical solutions across various projects.

In response to rising school admissions, the council required additional capacity across its school estate. Castleview Primary School needed teaching space for 190 more pupils, while Royal High School required expanded learning areas and a new technical workshop for approximately 240 students.

For both projects, constrained timelines and limited campus space posed significant design and delivery challenges. CEC prioritised minimising disruption to the school environment and students' learning, welcoming innovative approaches to achieve this. Additionally, the council required a sustainable solution aligned with its Net Zero commitments to limit the environmental impact of construction.

As the existing facilities management provider, we were appointed as principal designer and contractor, working closely with our specialist supply chain partners to develop a state-of-the-art modular building proposal. This solution effectively navigated site restrictions while incorporating key carbon reduction technologies.

Image of secondary school pupils walking — CEC prioritised minimising disruption to the school environment and students' learning, welcoming innovative approaches to achieve this.

The need for a swift and efficient solution was vital to minimise disruptions to learning.

Creating innovative solutions to support sustainability

Working closely with our supply chain partners, we delivered turnkey modular solutions at both sites—covering everything from initial options appraisal to design development, construction, and operation. The City of Edinburgh Council commissioned the project on a design-and-build basis, including procurement and scheduling.

For Castleview Primary School, the requirement was to temporarily expand capacity for 190 pupils, increasing the campus’s floor space by approximately 20%. The Council initially requested four separate teaching areas, but this was later increased to an additional six high-specification general purpose classrooms, designed to fit within the tight site boundaries of a densely populated Edinburgh neighbourhood.

Royal High School sought a permanent modular extension to provide additional learning space and facilities, following the successful completion of six temporary modular classrooms that we had delivered two years earlier.

For both projects, our team undertook feasibility investigations and insight gathering to inform the design phase. This enabled the Council to develop a scheme that would meet stakeholder needs and support their decarbonisation strategies.

At Castleview Primary School, the proposed solution was a new two-storey temporary modular building, with the inclusion of an internal passenger lift to ensure full accessibility could be achieved.

For Royal High School the first stage of the project involved creating improved building fabric to promote better insulation, ventilation, and airtightness. The second stage involved reducing the carbon footprint of the mechanical and electrical services that provided air conditioning, heating, hot water, and lighting.

The third stage, at The Royal High School, was a proposal for on-site power generation, through roof-mounted solar panels. Lighting designs were modelled using computer software to develop the most efficient LED arrangement, ensuring that the correct number, type, and controls were adopted to achieve the optimum lighting levels and quality for learning environments.

Across both projects, the need for a swift and efficient solution was vital to minimise disruptions to learning. The use of modular buildings allowed off-site construction, and works were mobilised over school holiday periods with dedicated project management ensuring the programmes stayed on track and were completed in line with pupils return to school.

We incorporated low carbon lighting, heating, and building fabrication to reduce energy consumption.

Creating a lasting legacy for Edinburgh learners

Both projects prioritised expanding capacity while supporting sustainability goals, with a focus on efficiency and minimal disruption. The team worked with the client and supply chain partners to programme works around the academic calendar, maximising offsite fabrication methods to reduce the duration of works through the site phase, while also mitigating the impact on the learning environment.

Both solutions offered the flexible accommodation required and enhanced the teaching environment for students and teaching staff. To support CEC with their drive towards sustainability, we incorporated low carbon lighting, heating, and building fabrication to reduce energy consumption and support Net Zero targets.

Key outcomes achieved at Castleview Primary School included:

We phased works to utilise enhanced access through a mid-term break to minimise disruption.
The building was made wind and watertight in approximately 4 days thanks to modular, off-site construction.
Works were completed over 12 weeks, ready for the new school term.
Key outcomes achieved at Royal High School included:
Building design achieved EPC Scotland Classification of 'Excellent, Carbon Neutral'.
Reduced energy consumption and costs, supporting CEC's Net Zero targets.
Works were phased to optimise the school holiday periods, minimising impact on the school operations.

Edinburgh City Council Expanding Edinburgh Schools with smart, sustainable solutions