First look at plans for state-of-the-art new Currie Community High School

Groundbreaking plans that will see Currie Community High School become the most energy efficient high school in Scotland have been unveiled.

The impressive building will be the first high school in the country to meet the Passivhaus standard, meaning it minimises carbon footprint to a significant level.

The skilfully designed building will reduce the amount of energy needed for heating by up to 90 per cent and lowers the total amount of energy used by around 70 per cent.

Plans also see a strong emphasis on outdoor learning with the creation of a special terrace on the second floor providing all of the learning zones with immediate access to external teaching spaces.

The community and sports facilities include swimming pool, fitness suit and mental health services.

Set to open in 2024 the school will have a series of learning zones for pupils with breakout areas.

The science, technology, engineering and maths zones will be spread over three levels and feature dual-teaching classrooms, science labs, technician areas and a learning plaza.

The language and humanities zone will feature a debating chamber and the music and art studios will have stage space and a recording studio.

The community and sports facilities include swimming pool and fitness suit as well as a and a wellness centre which will provide a space for counselling and activities to support improved mental health.

New plans will see Currie Community High School become the most energy efficient high school in Scotland has been unveiled.

Education, Children and Families Vice Convener for Edinburgh City Council Councillor Alison Dickie is delighted to see health and wellbeing play a prominent role in plans.

Councillor Dickie said: “I’m really pleased to see that inclusion and health and wellbeing form key parts of the designs with the creation of the two hubs. It’s so important the new schools support greater accessibility and inclusion for all our young people especially with the immense challenges they have faced in the past year.”

The new school is one of the projects included in the first phase of the Scottish Government's Learning Estate Investment Programme.

Currie Community High School Head Teacher Jenny Smith said the plans for her school offer an opportunity like no other.

Designs include a series of learning zones for pupils with breakout areas.

She said: “This is an opportunity like no other to venture into the world of 21st century education.

“The emphasis of our new build will be on enhancing the learner experience through exciting use of new versatile, transformational spaces within learning plazas, break-out areas and classroom settings.”

Councillor Ian Perry, Education, Children and Families Convener shares the head teacher’s enthusiasm for the project.

Councillor Perry said: “These are really exciting times for the Currie community as these pioneering designs really are the blueprint for the schools of the future. There are so many innovative elements to the plans with energy efficiency at its centre. This will make the new campus the first high school in Scotland to meet Passivhaus standards and supports Edinburgh’s aim of net zero emissions by 2030.

“The new Currie Community High School will provide a first-class learning environment and an exciting, inspirational and creative hub for the whole community. This is an exciting period for education in the Capital with recent new builds and projects under construction demonstrating our ambitious new school building programme with £500m investment planned over the next 10 years.”

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