Galliford Try subsidiary set for Scottish school job

Morrison Construction has been named as preferred contractor for a school renovation and extension job in Midlothian, Scotland.

Midlothian Council selected the Galliford Try subsidiary to redevelop Penicuik High School.

The local authority is seeking planning permission to add an extension to the 1930s building, which has a B listing from Historic Environment Scotland, and wants to reuse and retrofit the existing structure and create a new core area around the original assembly hall and courtyard.

It proposes to create a new social space for dining and indoor sports, an outdoor learning hub and fresh green spaces.

An accessible entrance plaza will be created on the north side of the school with various other improvements made, including installing lifts and toilets.

The venture will create space for up to 24 pupils with additional support needs, more than double the current number.

Midlothian Council said the project would allow the school to accommodate its full roll of 945 pupils “comfortably”.

It did not disclose the construction value of the job, although data intelligence provider Glenigan puts it at £44.7m.

The design team is led by AtkinsRéalis, with Holmes Miller as the project’s architects.

Councillor Ellen Scott said the improvements will create an “inspiring learning environment” in the “iconic landmark”.

David Ewing, managing director for Morrison Construction Building Central, said the firm had a strong track record in renovating old school buildings into “spaces fit for the modern educational era”.

Glenigan data shows that Morrison Construction is the main contractor on two larger-value school jobs elsewhere in Scotland: the £65m Galashiels Academy campus in the Scottish Borders, and the £69m Paisley Grammar School west of Glasgow.