CONSTRUCTION work on the new Wallyford Primary School could get under way in July, according to a new report.

The £18million school, which is expected to be built as part of the new St Clements Wells development on the outskirts of the village, will expand its catchment to take in housing at Dolphingstone Farm, which currently is linked to Sanderson’s Wynd Primary School, Tranent.

And housing developers will foot more than £11million of the costs of building the new two-storey school.

A report into the financing of the new facility estimates the maximum cost at £18,590,355.

It says developers’ contributions will make up about £11,700,000 of the cost with an additional £4.5 million coming from the Scottish Government body the Scottish Futures Trust, and the council paying the remainder.

And it reveals plans are in place to ensure the community benefits from the construction of the new school, with Morrison Construction planning to introduce three apprentice starts and offer 140 work experience placements through the project. There are also plans in place to ensure 15 per cent of the value of the work is given to local businesses.

The new school will replace the current primary school in the village, providing nearly double the capacity, including the nursery, primary and social, emotional and behavioural needs provision.

READ MORE: Plans approved for replacement primary school

It is expected to have provision for 812 primary school pupils, 120 nursery children and the additional needs hub.

Last October, East Lothian Council was told by Fiona Robertson, the council’s head of education, that the new school would see children move into it around August 2018.

She said: “Pupils moving into housing in the Dolphingstone area from August 2017 onward will attend Wallyford Primary School and the associated secondary school. Pupils currently attending Sanderson’s Wynd will have the option to remain at their current school for the remainder of their primary school and transfer to Ross High School for their secondary education if they wish to do so.

“Siblings of children at the affected schools have the option to attend Sanderson’s Wynd and Ross High.”