Builder Morgan Sindall has been appointed by Moray Council to carry out a £2million extension and refurbishment project at Milne’s Primary School in Fochabers.
The firm’s construction and infrastructure arm will carry out the work on the 171-year-old category A-listed Gothic building in the village’s High Street in two phases.
The first part of the project will see a 6,800sq ft extension built to the rear of the existing sandstone structure.
Five classrooms, with two for nursery classes and three for primary pupils, will be housed in the new building, along with “quiet time” and ancillary support accommodation.
The extension will be equipped with under-floor heating as part of energy efficiency measures and feature larch cladding, coloured to complement the existing building.
Milne’s Primary School has a current roll of around 200 primary age pupils and 20 nursery children. Once complete, the new extension will allow all lessons to be delivered within one main building.
When the extension is built, the existing nursery building will be demolished. In its place the construction team will create a new play area, along with an outdoor amphitheatre.
The second phase of the project will involve “substantial refurbishment” of the school’s 4,300sqft dining hall.
The builders will install a new heating and electrical system, thermally-efficient cladding and double-glazed windows.
Tim Eagle, chairman of Moray Council’s children and young people’s services committee, said the project would enhance the existing building, which is a landmark in the centre of the village.
Mr Eagle added: “Moray Council is committed to improving the learning environment in which our staff and children teach and learn.
“It is pleasing to agree a design which enhances the use of what is an iconic structure.
“When complete, the whole school community will be learning together in a fit-for-purpose building.”
Stuart Parker, managing director of Morgan Sindall in Scotland, said: “Construction work involving a listed building and a busy school environment demands a specific skill set, and our special works team which will be carrying this out is particularly successful in this arena.
“We’re incredibly pleased to have been selected by Moray Council to deliver the works at Milne’s Primary school and we’re looking forward to delivering an inspiring teaching and learning environment. I’m confident that the improvements to this historic school site will be well-received by staff and pupils alike.”
Building work at the school is expected to be completed by the end of summer 2018.
Earlier this year, Morgan Sindall began construction work on the new £13million Stoneywood Primary School in Aberdeen. The building, on the site of the former Bankhead Academy, which was gutted by fire in 2012, is due to be completed by Easter next year.
Last month, London-based Morgan Sindall saw its share price surge nearly 5% after it flagged a big jump in first half profits.
It said it expected results for the first six months of 2017 to show a 45% increase at the pre-tax level, boosted by a strong performance from its Fit Out interior refurbishments business.
The firm, which has annual revenue of £2.6billion and employs around 6,000 staff, was also helped by improved margins in its construction and infrastructure division. Full-year results are forecast by market experts to come in at around £59million – up 10% on previous estimates.
