The local authority tendered the projects through the highest value lot (Lot 8) of its £223m Contractor Works framework, which Morgan Sindall Construction has held a place on since it was launched in 2016.

The new schools will be on Canaan Lane, in the Morningside area, to the south of the city centre, and on Windrush Drive in Leith. Both are being built to support Edinburgh’s rapidly-growing population and will eventually support up to 1,000 pupils.

Plans for the site on Canaan Lane involve the demolition of the former Oaklands Care Home. In its place, a new two-storey building will house a total of 12 classrooms, two of which will be nursery playrooms. In total, the 3,365 square metre development will have capacity for 462 primary pupils and 80 early years spaces.

As it is located in a conservation area, the sympathetic design and choice of materials blend appropriately with the existing sandstone in the surrounding buildings.

In keeping with the council’s commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030, the building features air source heat pumps which are a very sustainable way of providing energy for the building. 

The school is yet to be officially named, with the local authority looking to involve the local community in the process nearer to the project’s completion.

The other project will provide a new home for Victoria Primary; the city’s oldest school, which has been in operation since 1844.

Staff and pupils will relocate from the existing site on Newhaven Main Street once the project is complete.

The new Victoria Primary school has the capacity to educate 462 primary and 80 early years pupils. There will be 14 classrooms split across a two-storey 4,075 square metre building, with an additional single-storey nursery wing built on the east side.

The design features external zinc cladding and brickwork to complement the surrounding buildings.

Work on both main contracts is now underway, with enabling works having taken place earlier this year. Both schools are scheduled to complete in 2021

Stuart Parker, Morgan Sindall Construction’s managing director in Scotland, said: “With population growth in Edinburgh showing no signs of slowing down, it’s important for planning departments and house builders to work collaboratively to guarantee sufficient capacity for children’s education.

“We’re very pleased to be working with the council on these latest two integrated primary and early years projects. They’re both great examples of building modern learning environments in urban areas; maximising the existing space to provide sustainable, future-proof and expandable schools which are easily accessible to local residents.”

Councillor Ian Perry, education convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “I’m delighted that work is progressing on these two new schools following lockdown as they will result in fantastic new buildings and greatly benefit their local communities.

“Their design and many of their features will also contribute to our target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. Both these projects are part of our ambitious new school building programme to provide the very best learning environment for our young people with more than £500 million investment planned over the next 10 years.”

Morgan Sindall Construction is also currently on site with Broomhills Primary School, in the south east of Edinburgh, with work scheduled to complete next year.