BDP completes RAAC replacement extension at St Kentigern's Academy in West Lothian

BDP has announced completion of its extension to St Kentigern's Academy in West Lothian, the replacement wing built after West Lothian Council demolished more than 60% of the school because of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

The practice said the extension provides new teaching, social, performance and sports facilities. It was delivered for the council through development partner Hub South East, with Heron Bros as main contractor, and has been in use by pupils since the start of term on 14 April 2026, according to the council.

The council has put the cost of rebuilding the wing at £35m. Heron Bros' own project page lists the value at £28m and describes the scheme as a "£28m plus" redevelopment delivering a RAAC replacement solution.

Christoph Ackermann, Principal Architect at BDP, said: "The completed extension gives St Kentigern's Academy a new centre of gravity, bringing teaching, social and sporting spaces together around a shared atrium."

The design

BDP said the building is organised around a two-storey atrium that connects the main areas of the school. It houses the main dining area, open-plan space for informal learning and a social stair whose tiered seating doubles as an audience for performances.

A performance studio sits in the atrium with folding partitions that open it into adjoining spaces for larger events. On the first floor, a learning plaza provides multi-purpose classrooms with adaptable layouts and a pupil support zone designed as a quieter environment that stays connected to the rest of the school.

Sports provision comprises a four-court games hall, fitness suite, gymnasium and changing facilities with direct access to the outdoor sports areas, the practice said.

The extension stands beside the retained quadrangle teaching block, and part of the existing administration building has been repurposed as a link between the two. A new pedestrian entrance plaza marks the arrival point, with car parking, drop-off and servicing placed to the west and the existing all-weather pitch kept.

BDP secured planning approval from West Lothian Council for the extension in March 2025. Heron Bros said the works involved demolition and reconstruction of a large part of the existing school on a live site that remained fully operational throughout.

Opening and exams

West Lothian Council said the wing was completed on time and within budget. It held an official opening ceremony in September 2026, at which the Most Reverend Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St Andrews & Edinburgh, carried out a dedication and blessing of the building.

Lawrence Fitzpatrick, Leader of West Lothian Council, said: "It's been a remarkable job by all those involved to deliver such a major project in such a short space of time."

The council said the new building allowed pupils to sit all their exams in school for the first time in three years. Headteacher Dr Gerry Burns said the school could again deliver the whole curriculum from within its own buildings.

The funding

The council said it has paid £20m towards the £35m cost and is awaiting confirmation from the Scottish Government on the remaining £15m. It said it borrowed £15m to deliver the project, at a cost of about £1m a year for the next 30 years.

On 22 September 2026 the full council approved a motion to write to Depute First Minister Jenny Gilruth seeking clarification of the Scottish Government's position on financial support for St Kentigern's.

According to the council, the SNP manifesto for the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections committed to the next phase of the Learning Estate Investment Programme with St Kentigern's earmarked as an initial project, but no detail of financial support to the council had been provided.