Planning permission granted for one of Scotland’s most energy efficient high schools

The campus will be the first Passivhaus-designed high school in the country setting the standard for energy consumption across school estates.

Passivhaus is a rigorous energy standard which reduces the amount of energy needed for heating by up to 90%. It also lowers the total amount of energy used by around 70% and minimises carbon emissions. The new school will support Edinburgh’s aim of net zero emissions by 2030.  

Plans were approved at the City of Edinburgh Council’s Development Management Sub-Committee today. Construction is expected to start on the school in the summer and be completed in 2024.

At the heart of the new school plans are five core elements: education, inclusion, outdoor learning and sustainability, digital learning and community access. The school will have also have a series of learning zones for pupils with breakout areas.

There will be 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. This focus will shape the curriculum on offer and ensure these outdoor spaces promote sustainability and link lifelong learning to the surrounding grounds of the school and community.  

Health and wellbeing also feature prominently in the designs with the creation of a dedicated wellbeing hub and separate wellness centre to support pupils. The hub will be based in the integrated support zone and is a dedicated room in a quiet location which can be used as part of a planned alternative/flexible timetable to help young people learn in a variety of settings. The wellness centre will be in the community and sports side of the building and will provide a space for counselling and activities to support improved mental health.

The new building will offer the community daytime, evening and weekend access to an intergenerational community hub. Visitors can drop in to the library space in the foyer, access meeting rooms and digital services, visit the café, keep healthy at the gym and pool or enjoy a walk around the grounds.

Jenny Hutchison, Currie Community High School Head Teacher, said: ‘We’re are incredibly excited about what our new school has to offer as a learning and community campus.  As the opening of our new school draws ever nearer, there is an amazing energy around curriculum development and how we ensure that young people develop the skills to be 21st century ready. 

‘As the first Passivhaus high school in Scotland, we are committed to energy efficiency for the benefits of our young people and community.  The opportunities for intergenerational learning are endless with transformational learning spaces both inside the building and out. 

‘We are certainly paving the way for an innovative and educational experience for all where young people strongly influence their future and make valuable contributions to the world around them.’

In related news, a £15m contract for a new community hub at Macmillan Square, in partnership with North Edinburgh Arts (NEA), has been approved.

Image credit: Architype/Dalgety Design