Pupils move into new Wester Hailes High School building
The City of Edinburgh Council said pupils and staff have returned from half term into a new single building replacing four separate teaching blocks at Wester Hailes High School.
Staff and pupils at Wester Hailes High School have returned from half term into their new school building, replacing four separate teaching blocks with a single, modern education facility, the City of Edinburgh Council said.
The council said McLaughlin & Harvey was appointed to deliver the 800 capacity new building, which was designed by Architype. The council said the building is designed around a central, bright and open atrium, bringing pupils together while connecting departments and classrooms, with each floor featuring breakout and retreat spaces decorated with warm colours and light woods.
One of the existing buildings on the site, featuring catering, sports and swimming facilities, has been retained and refurbished, according to the council, which said this block will operate as a secure community hub with accessible services for local people. The council said Edinburgh Leisure reopened its refurbished leisure facilities at the school earlier in October 2026.
The council said members of the community will be able to see the new facilities at an open evening on 27 October 2026 between 5pm and 7pm. It said the final phase of the redevelopment will see remaining former buildings demolished and replaced with outdoor learning spaces, an urban woodland area and a community allotment, along with landscaping to improve secure access from the Union Canal tow path.
The council said the school has been built to Passivhaus standard, minimising energy consumption and reducing reliance on active heating or cooling systems, and includes measures to improve air quality and thermal performance vital to achieving Passivhaus certification. The council said the building is one of the projects in the second phase of the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme, alongside the Liberton Community Campus.
Children, Education and Families Convener, Councillor James Dalgleish, said: “Opening this new school building is a major landmark moment for pupils, staff and the wider community in Wester Hailes.” He added that the investment creates a community asset bringing together learning, sport and support spaces in one accessible location.
Dougie McCusker, Construction Director at McLaughlin & Harvey, said: “It’s fantastic to see pupils and staff enjoying the new building.” He said the company had managed to keep disruption to a minimum while building the new facility close to the operating school.
Further information about the design of the new Wester Hailes High School can be found on the Future Schools Edinburgh website, the council said.