General Introduction to Project
Dalkeith Schools Community Campus was procured under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement between Dalkeith Schools SPV and Midlothian Council with the building work being carried out by HBG Construction Ltd.
Central to the council's design brief was the desire to co-locate 3 separate schools on a single campus, and whilst certain elements of the buildings were to be shared between the three schools, all schools were to retain their individual identity and teaching structure.
Members of staff were consulted on the design of the schools throughout the design process.
Through this innovative PPP project, Dalkeith acquired a unique three school campus (non-denominational, denominational, and a special school), where common facilities extend educational, community and leisure opportunities for pupils and the wider Midlothian population.
The project is included as a successful example of the bringing together of three schools on a single site, which operate independently within what is essentially a single building. The key benefits are that the three schools and the local community now have combined, programmed access to key facilities, such as state of the art sports facilities (indoor and out), library, theatre and associated changing and dressing rooms. With good facilities encouraging community use, Dalkeith Community Campus was able to secure sportscotland Lottery funding support to bring this ambitious project to fruition.
While the schools undoubtedly offer excellent facilities, both the client and architect agree that the tight budget focused the emphasis on providing a functional building: materials used were simple and the building relies on the use of a bold colour palette to add interest to facades and the interior. The scale of the school is understandably large. The smaller block, which is dedicated to Saltersgate School, works well in terms of form internally and externally, making its own statement towards the rear of the campus. However the view of the block is partially obscured from the front view of the school by the main sports hall.