Peebles High School Rises from Ashes with Sustainable, Future-Ready Campus in Scotland

Pupils and staff in Peebles, Scotland are settling into a transformed learning environment with the opening of the new Peebles High School, replacing the building lost to fire in 2019. Delivered by BAM in partnership with Scottish Borders Council and Hub South East Scotland, the project combines a modern, sustainable school with a strong focus on community and skills development in the Scottish Borders.

BAM embedded social value into the heart of the project, facilitating £5.9 million in benefits for the local area. From design competitions and engagement sessions with school pupils to structured work placements for students from Scottish Borders College across multiple trades, the project provided meaningful opportunities for young people to gain practical experience and build skills for the future. Local employment and supply chain opportunities further strengthened the wider community impact.

The new two-story school is designed to support contemporary education and the evolving curriculum. Nine glazed atrium spaces, topped with unique hyperbolic paraboloid roof structures, flood flexible teaching and social areas with natural light, creating a sense of openness and connection across the campus. Specialist facilities for science, technology, creative arts and sport are tailored to the needs of modern learners, helping students thrive both academically and socially.

Sustainability is central to the school’s design, which meets the rigorous standards of Scotland’s Learning Estate Investment Program. Fully electric, thermally efficient and digitally enabled, the building delivers comfortable conditions year-round while reducing energy use and operational costs. These features allow resources to be reinvested directly into pupils’ learning and school initiatives, while supporting Scotland’s transition to a lower-carbon built environment.