The two schools, Moorfoot and Tynewater, were opened during the autumn mid term break to allow staff and pupils to move in as soon as they got back. Kenny Falconer, General Manager of Midlothian Schools Ltd, the SPC managing the schools, says that they were very well received.

He added: “The positive feedback we have received proves that we’ve done this job to a very high standard. The pupils love their new schools and the staff are also very happy. Everyone who has visited them is over the moon.”

These are the first of eight primary schools in the rapidly expanding Midlothian area to the south of Edinburgh, with the remaining six schools to be delivered by March 2008.

The schools are designed to help meet population growth of around 12% in the area during the next few years. The development replaces old buildings and combines existing schools in new locations. In addition, the SPC, holds a 30-year operating contract for a broad range of FM services.