Eyemouth Primary School relocation - FAQs
Why is the Primary School being relocated into the High School as opposed to a new build?
During consultation in 2021, opportunities for the older children in Primary School were viewed particularly positively with reference to the ease of transition. The potential for families to engage with one campus and for the creation of a real sense of community was also highlighted.
Primary School children have the opportunity to connect as well as to access specialist and shared facilities within the High School. This proposal should also help see a smoother transition from primary school to secondary school.
The existing High School is a relatively new and very well maintained asset. It is however under capacity. Even with the inclusion of the primary school, the building is expected to maintain a level of capacity to accommodate further population growth in the Eyemouth catchment.
The Council's capital investment plan is heavily committed and there is a fixed capital budget available to deliver this project. This fixed budget faces significant pressure as a result of the current economic and supply chain conditions, and there is insufficient budget available to deliver a standalone new primary school facility which is estimated to cost approximately £35.8m, and 33 months to deliver.
Were other location options considered?
Community feedback from the consultation in 2021 was taken into account for progressing the design options. There is a strong educational benefit to locate both Primary and High School education facilities in the same campus. Financials and value for money also needs to be considered.
A proposal was previously developed as part of a wider masterplan in 2018-2019 centred around the park adjacent to the existing primary school site. This project was abandoned following significant objection by the community in Eyemouth.
Several options for a new build stand-alone facility have been explored on the Eyemouth High School site, but discounted due to affordability as well as the known capacity that is available within the existing High School building.
A further concept design for a standalone new-build primary school on the park off Coldingham Road has also been developed but discounted due the scale of cost and length of delivery timescales.
Why have the community not been consulted to date?
Community Consultation is in accordance with the Schools (Consultation) Act Scotland 2010 and is open from the 6th of October to the 8th of December 2025.
This consultation ensures that the local community is aware of the proposed changes and follows informal consultations and engagements.
The purpose of the Schools (Consultation) Act Scotland 2010 Consultation is to provide further information and the reasons why the proposals have been made and to give citizens in the Eyemouth area a further opportunity to provide views and feedback on the proposal.
All feedback is important and will be noted and considered to develop the proposals further. Feasibility proposals need to be developed before going to consultation.
Why is a campus style being proposed?
This new campus has the potential to transform learning in the area for students by creating a seamless transition through all stages of education.
This, with the creation of a new dedicated early learning and childcare facility, will enable improved learning and support for pre-school children whilst allowing parents and families to build strong community-based relationships.
A campus style education facility can provide benefits including:
- Smoother transition from Primary to High School for pupils
- Access to specialist, shared facilities, e.g. catering and sports areas
- Larger primary class bases for more storage and better usability
- Improved flexibility and future proofing of the spaces
- Improved accessibility compared to existing Primary School
Does the High School have capacity to accommodate the 400 Primary School numbers?
The project team have undertaken a timetable analysis and identified that the existing timetable relative to the current roll numbers illustrates a current capacity of 72%.
Therefore, the current usage of the High School can fully accommodate the Primary School as, when constructed, the High School was designed for a much higher capacity.
To maintain future proofing/flexibility of the high school, the stand alone Innovation Centre will provide additional high quality teaching space while still allowing for future expansion of the high school if needed.
Additionally, a company called 'Space Zero' have now been appointed to develop interior design interventions across the high school to maximise utilisation of non-timetabled space, optimise learner comfort and provide an inclusive environment for all learners.
How will this alter the PPP arrangement?
We are aware of the contractual impact which has been reviewed by our associated legal teams. Following this assessment, it was identified that change and variation to the existing High School building is achievable and this will be diligently worked through as the project moves forward.
How will accessibility be improved?
The High School is a modern building with accessible entrances close to pupil drop-off and lifts providing access to all areas of the school. The playground space will also be accessed with ease. The Primary School will be designed to comply with current building regulations and be fully compliant.
How will Primary School children access the school?
The new Primary School would have its own dedicated access and its own front door, and therefore its own identity on the site. It would also benefit from sharing some educational resources and key facilities with the High School.
What will be the pickup/drop off/parking arrangements?
The Primary School will have a designated drop-off and parking for primary pupils. A transport strategy review has been undertaken as well as an assessment on the impact of transport routes to the current primary school.
Currently there is only one people carrier transport with two eligible pupils from Burnmouth area serving Eyemouth Primary School. Primary pupils are automatically eligible for free transport if living more than two miles from the school.
Although distances for all eligible pupils are below two miles, it is estimated that five pupils may qualify for transport due to unsafe walking routes.
Therefore, relocation to Eyemouth High School would not materially change eligibility for most pupils or cost of transport. A single vehicle will still be required to serve eligible pupils (primarily Burnmouth area).
If combined with Eyemouth High School transport, vehicle size may need to be increased from a people carrier to a minibus.
When will the project be completed?
The indicative delivery timetable would see the new facilities completed in mid 2028.
The proposals would need to be the subject of a planning application, and would therefore be subject to the normal assessment and separate statutory public consultation arrangements that form part of that process.
What is the budget for the project and how has it been spent to date?
Overall budget for the project has been confirmed as £15,041m, with £1.4m of funding ringfenced for the Early Years and Family Centre. We will be working to deliver these facilities, with the same commitment we have provided to previous school projects, within this budget.
What will be the disruption to the High School during construction?
The project will be delivered while the High School is operational. Detailed planning and phasing will be outlined by the project team to ensure construction works do not disturb the live environment. Current phasing plans allow for the Innovation Centre to be built first, followed by a decant into the new building. After the decant has been completed, refurbishment works will commence for the new Primary School facilities.
Health and safety is paramount and this will be meticulously planned for and delivered.
How will the management structure change?
Should the proposal to relocate Eyemouth Primary School to the high school site be progressed, the new relocated Primary School will retain the existing management structure and organisation of the current primary school, and the high school will retain the existing management structures and organization in place also.
How has the safety of primary school children been considered?
As mentioned above, the new Eyemouth Primary School will have a dedicated pick-up/drop off route, with a safe walking route through the existing High School if required.
Construction health and safety is the highest priority and safe access routes will be determined once a Contractor is appointed and the Construction Phase Plan is agreed.
The proposals allow for designated areas for primary children eg. play areas so their areas are protected as young children.
Timetabling will be agreed between the High School and Primary School management to phase lunches and pupil movements to ensure pupils safety within the building.
How will the use of the assembly hall change?
We understand both the High School and Primary School will use the hall extensively for productions and assemblies, with the proposal (timetable dependent) for Primary School pupils to also use this hall for PE on some occasions.
The project team are therefore reviewing sound proofing measures to improve the current High School assembly space and maximise the usability of this important area.
How will safeguarding be addressed in shared spaces around the building?
Safeguarding of pupils applies across all educational buildings within the Scottish Borders estate and the same principals will be applied with the Eyemouth Primary School project. Appropriate separation and integration of pupils will be incorporated within the operational and management plan.
How will parents manage pick up and drop off times if they have a child at the Early Years Centre and one at the new Primary School site at Gunsgreenhill?
It is recognised that this may apply to some parents in the area and pick up and drop off arrangements will be included within the operational management of the school.
What capacity is there for current plans to be improved, changed and for engagement to happen with key stakeholders?
Key stakeholder and engagement sessions will be arranged as the project progresses.