Cabinet secretary officially opens Wallyford Learning Campus
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Jenny Gilruth officially opened Wallyford Learning Campus on 29 November.
Ms Gilruth joined East Lothian Council elected members, council officials, staff and learners from Rosehill High School, members of the project team and community representatives at an event to celebrate the multimillion-pound facility.
L to R Cllr Fiona Dugdale, Jenny Gilruth MSP and Headteacher Gail Preston
Strategic vision for learning and community
The strategic vision for Wallyford Learning Campus was a place for the community to meet and learn together. It brings together the newly-established Rosehill High School, a library, community centre and sports pitches. Partnerships with Edinburgh College and SRUC in the form of Construction Skills and Rural Skills academies offer further education, employability and training opportunities for both adults and young people. The development received funding from Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) phase 1.
“We are delighted to welcome Jenny Gilruth to Wallyford Learning Campus today along with so many people involved in the development and running of this fantastic building. This has been an ambitious project to bring together a number of facilities under one roof that would improve connections and offer a range of opportunities to the widest community.
“It is a testament to partnership working using Scottish Government funding, East Lothian Council investment and officers’ skills, our construction partners’ expertise, and community involvement. The results of this careful collaboration are evident in the quality of the spaces and the benefits that are already being successfully delivered.” Cllr Fiona Dugdale, Cabinet member for Education and Children’s and Family Services
Award-winning building
East Lothian Council’s development partner Hub South East appointed Morrison Construction as main contractor to deliver the project with JM Architects undertaking design works. Main works started in August 2021 with contractors navigating Covid-19 restrictions and significant construction market challenges throughout to achieve handover date in August 2023. The finished building, with its light-filled spaces and nature-inspired interiors designed by East Lothian Council’s interior designer, was highly commended last week at the Learning Places Scotland awards Project of the Year category and commended in the Glasgow Institute of Architecture Awards.