£10M School Retrofit
GRAHAM has completed the first stage of a £10 million retrofit of Brunstane Primary School in Edinburgh, marking a major step in transforming the building into one of the city’s most sustainable education facilities.
Appointed by City of Edinburgh Council, GRAHAM is delivering the multi-phase project while the school remains operational. The works, which began in October 2024, will enable the building to be carbon neutral in operation, aligning with the Council’s ambition to reach net zero by 2030.
Phase 1
The first phase handed over, includes 11 newly refurbished classrooms, a modernised library and the completion of a new energy centre. This allows the school to run on air source heat pumps instead of gas, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.
James House, Construction Director at GRAHAM Building, said: “This milestone reflects the expertise of our team in delivering complex retrofit projects in live environments. The handover provides Brunstane Primary School with fully modernised classrooms and an upgraded library, alongside a new energy centre that enables the school to operate using air source heat pumps.
“These facilities have been delivered while the school remains fully operational, with the programme designed to minimise disruption to teaching and learning. The next phases will continue to improve the school’s facilities and infrastructure in line with the planned schedule.”
Phase 2
The next phase, due to start after the October break, will see the delivery of a new gym hall, kitchen, staff areas and toilets. The final stage, scheduled for early 2026, will complete the remaining staff facilities, reception, offices and classrooms for Primary 1 and 2 pupils, with external works progressing alongside each phase.
Once complete, the project will provide a three-storey tower with 12 classrooms and a single-storey block with eight classrooms, administration offices, amenity space and an infant block. Improvements include new cladding, replacement windows, upgraded accessibility with new ramps and photovoltaic panels to generate renewable electricity.
Mrs Deborah Lee, Principal Teacher at Brunstane Primary School, said: “The new classrooms are a positive step forward, bringing P3-P7 learners back under one roof where they can truly make the new classrooms their own—creating a sense of pride and shared respect for the space.”
