A new chapter in sustainable education has begun with the completion of Currie Community High School (CCHS), delivered by Kier on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council.
Located on Dolphin Avenue, the £65m project replaces the original 1960s building and is the first school in Scotland built to Passivhaus standards that includes a swimming pool.
Passivhaus is a certified energy efficiency standard, creating buildings that minimise energy consumption, reducing the reliance on active heating or cooling systems, ensuring sustainable and eco-friendly construction.
This new school has been designed to use up to 70% less energy than a traditional building. It features airtight construction, triple-glazed windows and a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery to maintain a comfortable, healthy indoor environment all year-round.
The school includes three floors of teaching spaces, a theatre and extensive sports and leisure facilities. The main entrance foyer includes the school library alongside informal social and meeting spaces for the community to use. These facilities include a wellness centre, a meeting room and a café area which has been included with the aim of providing refreshments for community users.
The adjacent swimming pool block is constructed using low carbon footprint materials such as cross-laminated timber, chosen for its sustainability features.
The building is designed to withstand predicted climate changes up to 2080, with high-performance insulation, solar-oriented glazing and natural ventilation strategies that enhance comfort and reduce energy use.
Working in a live school environment, Kier implemented a range of measures to minimise disruption, including acoustic barriers, privacy screens and daily environmental checks. The site was carefully managed to protect local ecology and ensure safety for students and staff.
Beyond the build, Kier awarded over £20m in contracts to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Additionally, the company contributed over £7k to community initiatives through donations and fundraising efforts.
Kier also made a significant impact on employment and education. A total of 42 apprenticeship opportunities were created, three individuals who were previously not in employment, education or training were offered jobs, and 15 full-time equivalent roles were generated locally. Additionally, the team dedicated over 400 hours to delivering educational outreach within the local area.
Kier’s ‘Constructing Futures’ programme played a key role during the build, offering students from Currie and nearby schools hands-on experience in construction. Delivered in partnership with Edinburgh College and Rural and Urban Training Scheme (RUTS), the programme ran for two academic years and included site tours, practical workshops and the opportunity to work towards a construction qualification within a dedicated on-site academy. The programme has now been extended to align with other Kier projects across Scotland, including St Kevin’s Primary School in Bargeddie.
"As the first Passivhaus school in Scotland with a swimming pool, Currie Community High School sets a new standard for low-energy design and long-term value. We’re proud to have worked in close partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council to deliver a futureproofed school that will benefit generations to come—both as a place of learning and as a sustainable community asset.
This is a special project that showcases our extensive sector expertise in delivering complex, high-performance education facilities."
Sean Fenner, managing director at Kier Construction North & Scotland
"The handover of Currie High School marks a new era for staff and pupils alike, as well as the local community, and it’s fantastic to see that the new school building is officially open.
The new school has been designed with future proofing and sustainability front and centre. The design and landscape was informed and influenced by the school’s senior leadership team to ensure that the needs of pupils were prioritised throughout. Alongside this, it was crucial that the building met our sustainability commitments, and it is fantastic that the school is one of the very first Passivhaus secondary schools in Scotland. I am thrilled that the school and wider community will benefit from this fantastic new building both now and well into the future."
James Dalgliesh, Children, Education and Families Convener, Councillor
Kier has delivered a number of Passivhaus projects including Mulberry Academy London Dock, a first-class energy efficient school. As well as St Sidwell's Point, the UK’s first Passivhaus standard ultra-low carbon leisure centre.