Creating additional school capacity is about much more than adding classrooms.
Education buildings need to support learning, staff wellbeing and future growth, while construction projects often need to take place alongside day to day school life.
The Harris Academy Extension in Dundee is a good example of how careful planning and collaboration can deliver new education facilities while maintaining a safe learning environment.
Delivered by Robertson through Procurement Hub's Major Projects Framework, the project expanded the school's teaching facilities while minimising disruption for pupils, staff and the wider school community.
Delivering Construction in a Live School Environment
Working within an operational school requires careful planning from the very beginning.
At Harris Academy, the project team worked closely with the school to ensure construction activities were safely managed throughout the programme.
Contractors accessed the site during school hours through controlled routes, with external working areas fully segregated to prevent interaction with pupils. Regular communication with the headteacher helped minimise disruption while allowing teaching and learning to continue safely throughout the project.
This collaborative approach enabled the project to progress efficiently while maintaining a positive experience for the school community.
What Was Delivered?
The project created valuable additional education space while improving the wider school environment.
Works included:
A new school extension
Internal refurbishment works
External playground improvements
A refurbished Eco Garden
Infrastructure upgrades to support future operation
Together, these improvements created modern learning environments while enhancing outdoor spaces for pupils and staff.
Planning for Better Outcomes
Successful public sector projects are shaped long before construction begins.
Throughout the project, Robertson worked collaboratively with Dundee City Council and the wider project team to review designs, identify opportunities for efficiencies and manage risk at an early stage.
Design changes, including optimising glazing, simplifying structural elements and improving heating solutions, helped reduce material use while maintaining quality and environmental performance.
Early planning also allowed programme changes to be managed effectively when utility works were delayed, helping maintain project momentum despite external challenges.
Creating Social Value Alongside Construction
Alongside the physical improvements, the project delivered significant benefits for the local community.
Highlights included:
Over £2.55 million in combined social and economic value
£3.5 million spent locally within 30 miles
£2.5 million spent with SMEs
70 local people employed
16 young people supported through career mentoring
200 hours of volunteering
100% of donated materials used to restore the school's Eco Garden
One of the most visible community initiatives was the restoration of Harris Academy's Eco Garden.
Working alongside young people and local supply chain partners, the team transformed a neglected outdoor space into a fully functioning educational garden where pupils can grow flowers and vegetables, creating a lasting legacy beyond the construction project.
"The Eco Garden has become a fully functioning space where pupils can grow flowers and vegetables, creating a lasting educational resource for the school community."
Supporting Gold Standard Delivery
The project also demonstrates many of the principles set out within the Constructing the Gold Standard recommendations.
Through early collaboration, strong client engagement, proactive risk management and meaningful supply chain involvement, the project delivered positive outcomes while supporting safety, sustainability and long term value.
These principles continue to shape the way Procurement Hub supports public sector organisations in delivering construction projects across Scotland.
Accessing Expertise Through Major Projects Framework 2
The Harris Academy Extension was delivered through Procurement Hub's previous Major Projects Framework.
Today, public sector organisations across Scotland can access Robertson through Procurement Hub's Major Projects Framework 2.
The framework provides a compliant route to market for major construction projects, supporting early contractor involvement, collaborative working and high quality project delivery.
Whether delivering new education facilities, refurbishing existing buildings or expanding school estates, Major Projects Framework 2 helps organisations engage experienced delivery partners with confidence.
Looking Ahead
As education estates continue to evolve, creating additional teaching space while maintaining safe learning environments will remain a priority for many organisations.
The Harris Academy Extension demonstrates how collaborative planning, early engagement and experienced project delivery can help schools expand with confidence while delivering lasting value for both pupils and the wider community.