‘WE’LL TRANSFORM THIS FORMAL INDUSTRIAL SITE INTO A NEW COASTAL TOWN AND COMMUNITY’ – COUNCIL LEADER JANE MEAGHER
First Minister John Swinney has marked the start of construction on one of Scotland’s largest net zero housing developments as part of the latest chapter of Granton Waterfront regeneration,
The development will provide 847 net zero homes, including 387 affordable homes, 14 commercial units and a new primary school on former industrial land.
It is part of a wider £1.3 billion transformation of Edinburgh’s waterfront that will create 3,500 homes, new leisure facilities and Scotland’s largest coastal park.
The First Minister joined local school pupils at the site, including young people who have benefited from construction courses supported through Scottish Government investment in Granton’s regeneration.
John Swinney said: “This is one of the largest regeneration projects Scotland has seen in decades and a major vote of confidence in Edinburgh’s future.
“For years, people have looked across this waterfront and seen disused industrial land. Today, we are laying the foundations for a new community that will be home to thousands of people.
“Through our investment, hundreds of families will have affordable, energy-efficient homes as we transform Edinburgh’s waterfront into a thriving neighbourhood with new homes, schools and businesses.
“We are putting the people of Granton at the heart of this transformation, with better transport links, new green spaces, apprenticeships, skills training and investment in local organisations.”
Jane Meagher, Leader of City of Edinburgh Council, said: “This is a big step forward for Granton and the whole city, as construction begins on the first phase of one of the largest public sector led regeneration projects of its time.
“Through our joint efforts we’ll transform this former industrial site into a new coastal town and community. It’s important that those living in neighbouring communities benefit from the investment we’re making in the area.
“Our Place Accelerator approach will ensure residents see the benefits, including more green spaces to enjoy and opportunities for local young people to gain hands on construction skills and qualifications through work on site.”
Telford College
Audrey Cumberford, Principal of Edinburgh College, which works with Cruden Homes to deliver Granton Waterfront Construction Pathway courses for school and college pupils, said: “Edinburgh College has been at the heart of the Granton community for many years and we’re delighted to be involved in the next stage of its regeneration.
“Not only will this project provide hundreds of new homes in the area, this is already providing hundreds of opportunities for students to get hands-on experience in the construction industry.
“These opportunities could be transformative for our learners – allowing them to gain vital skills and develop a career in the sector.”
Edinburgh College’s Waterfront Nursery has become the first non-local authority early years setting in Scotland to secure a national certification for serving fresh, local and sustainable food.
The nursery, which is operated by the College, gained the Food for Life Served Here (FFLSH) Bronze certification, for serving food that’s good for health, the environment and the local economy. The nursery serves 34,000 meals each year.
Nursery Manager Catherine Buchanan and Chef Lukasz Szyszka received the FFLSH Bronze certificate from Food for Life Scotland’s Business Development Manager – Scotland Sue McVey during a celebration event at the nursery.
The Food for Life Scotland (FFLS) programme, led by Soil Association Scotland and funded by Scottish Government since 2009, provides a framework through which local authorities and public sector sites can ensure they are serving good food.
This is done by meeting a set of standards to achieve the FFLSH certification at Bronze, Silver or Gold level.
Since 2024, Food for Life Scotland’s remit has expanded to support caterers to achieve the certification in the wider public sector. Waterfront Nursery has become the 26th Scottish public sector site to do so. Through the process of gaining the certification, Waterfront Nursery has increased the amount of scratch cooked food on the menu.
As part of the Food for Life Served Here Bronze certification, Waterfront Nursery also ensures that a minimum of 75 percent of dishes are cooked from scratch using unprocessed ingredients. Meals are also free from undesirable trans fats, sweeteners and additives, and use free range eggs, higher welfare meat and ingredients from sustainable and ethical sources.
Waterfront uses produce from a wide range of sustainable providers, including the likes of Bonaly Farms for milk, Blacketyside Fruits for strawberries, and East Lothian Produce for cabbage, potatoes and parsnips.
Catherine Buchanan, the Manager of Waterfront Nursery, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have received this recognition from Food for Life Scotland, which highlights our dedication to providing our early learners with the absolute best quality of food possible.
“Ensuring our children are well-fed with fresh, local and sustainable food is just part of our approach, which always has our learners at its very heart. This award is the culmination of months of hard work from so many people at Waterfront, and we’d like to thank every single person involved in getting us to this stage.”
Sarah Gowanlock, Programme Manager, Food for Life Scotland, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Waterfront Nursery to the Food for Life Scotland programme and congratulate them on being the first non-local authority early years setting to achieve the Food for Life Served Here Bronze certification for their meals service.
“The early years are a crucial period for developing healthy diets. We’re delighted that children at the nursery will be eating more scratch cooked and sustainable food every day.
“The Food for Life Scotland team can offer support to public sector caterers across Scotland, to follow in the footsteps of Waterfront Nursery and our other public sector certification holders in Scotland.”
Edinburgh College has established a new National Centre for Modern Languages and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), bringing together its expertise in language education to support students, employers and communities across Scotland and beyond.
The Centre will act as a hub for the College’s Modern Languages and ESOL delivery with a focus on developing the language skills Scotland needs for the future.
The College delivers one of the largest and most diverse language portfolios in the UK. Its award-winning online Modern Languages provision spans 95 schools across 20 local authorities, while more than 1,000 students study ESOL at the College each year.
More than 300,000 people in Scotland reported challenges with speaking, reading or writing English in 2022, highlighting the scale of the need for accessible language support.
The launch of the Centre brings together the College’s significant ESOL provision, both college and community-based, recognising the role English language skills play in helping people access employment, progress in their careers and participate fully in society.
Earlier this year, the College published a research report – Addressing Language as a Barrier to Work and Progression – which identified a lack of English language skills as an overlooked contributor to economic inactivity.
It is now building on this work through its employment-focused ESOL for Work provision, helping learners to develop the practical English skills they need for the workplace alongside their wider language development.
Edinburgh College Principal and CEO Audrey Cumberford said: “Language skills are increasingly important to Scotland’s future. They strengthen our workforce, help businesses connect with international markets and enable people from different backgrounds to participate fully in our economy and society.
“Edinburgh College has a strong track record in both Modern Languages and ESOL delivery, and the launch of our National Centre brings that expertise together to create a hub for language education and innovation.
“We want to use our scale, research and partnerships to support language education across Scotland and help ensure learners have the skills they need for further study and employment.”
The Centre’s provision will also support refugees and people seeking sanctuary to access education. The College was awarded College of Sanctuary status in June 2025.
The College also has extensive international experience, having delivered specialist English language teacher training in more than 30 countries over the past decade.
Alongside its work in Scotland, the College will use its international partnerships and experience to support language education globally, building on specialist teacher training.
The new Centre aims to strengthen the role of Modern Languages and ESOL within Scotland’s skills infrastructure and help more people access the opportunities that language learning can provide.
The UK Government has now released £14.09m to Edinburgh and South East Scotland Regional Partnership after signing off on its locally designed three-year Local Growth Fund investment plan, which targets areas with the lowest household incomes to create jobs and boost living standards.
Funding for Years 2 and 3 will be rolled out as the region progresses through its plans.
A partnership between the four regional colleges of Borders, Edinburgh, Fife, and West Lothian plans to train over 20,000 new entrants across the region over the coming decade as well as upskill existing workers.
South East Scotland is the fastest growing region in Scotland, with some of the highest housing demand for now and into the future. The new training hubs will be strategically important in the delivery of 40,000 new homes across the region’s seven strategic housing sites.
The training centre in the south of Scotland will also benefit from Scottish Government funding through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal.
Audrey Cumberford, Principal of Edinburgh College, said:“This is a great example of colleges coming together and taking a proactive approach to meet the skills needs of the region that we serve.
“The construction sector is going to be hugely significant to Edinburgh and the Lothians over the coming years, and these training hubs will ensure it has the workforce it needs to flourish.
“Projects like this emphasise the potential that colleges have to work hand in hand with key employers to provide a pipeline of skilled labour for future employment opportunities.”
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said: “(Today) the UK Government is releasing more than £14 million to Edinburgh and South East Scotland partners who know their communities best.
“These funds will be crucial for addressing skills shortages, driving green innovation and removing barriers to local employment and infrastructure development.
“The UK Government is committed to empowering local communities by spreading power throughout the country.
“These funds will support local leaders throughout Scotland to create skilled jobs, help start up businesses and revive our local high streets.”
City of Edinburgh Council Leader Cllr Jane Meagher, said:“This investment in new training hubs will give thousands of local people the chance to gain new skills and build rewarding careers in construction and green technology.
“With strong demand for new homes together with our work to reach net zero, having a skilled local workforce will be essential.”
According to a report undertaken by the University of Edinburgh and West Lothian College, the region has a construction workforce of 57,000, of which 21,000 (34%) commute for work into the region from other parts of Scotland daily.
The study identified that the region requires an additional 20,000 new entrants, upskilling roles and replacement construction workforce over the next 10 years.
“This is a proud day for Scotland’s young people and our education system“
POVERTY-RELATED ATTAINMENT GAP CLOSES FURTHER
Helpline Ready to Support Thousands of Young Scots on Results Day.
Màiri McAllan MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic was in Glasgow today meeting SDS Results Helpline careers advisers ahead of exam results day. Pictured with L to R: Lesley Niven, Lisa Dunn and Greig Paterson
A dedicated results helpline will open today (Tuesday, 4 August at 8am) to support around 148,000 Scottish pupils and students as their Qualifications Scotland results certificates are delivered.
Pass rates for National 5, Highers and Advanced Highers have all increased again, including a record number of National 5 passes. Learners have also achieved a record number of vocational and technical qualifications, up by 121% on pre-pandemic levels.
Congratulating everyone receiving their results today, Education Secretary Màiri McAllan welcomed a narrowing of the poverty related attainment gap compared with both last year and pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Results Day data, published by Qualifications Scotland for the first time, shows:
a record 269,115 National 5 passes and an increase in Grade A percentages
a second annual increase in the pass rate for all three graded national qualifications – National 5 (pass rate 79.2%, up by 0.8 percentage points), Highers (76.7%, up 0.8 points) and Advanced Highers (77.6%, up 0.9 points)
an increase in the pass rate compared with 2019 for National 5 (up 1 point) and Highers (up 1.9 points)
a narrowing in the poverty related attainment gap for A-C passes across the graded national qualifications, with attainment having gone up for both the most deprived and least deprived areas
increases in pass rates and the percentage of A grades for learners with additional support needs across National 5 and Highers compared with last year and 2024
more than 120,000 vocational and technical qualification awards, a record high and a 9.1% increase on last year.
The Education Secretary said: “This is a proud day for Scotland’s young people and our education system.
“My congratulations go to everyone receiving their results. I know how much hard work and resilience it takes to get here and you all deserve enormous credit.
“These are incredibly positive results across the board, with academic passes up at every level – National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher – as well as record numbers of vocational qualifications. This is testament to the breadth and strength of Scotland’s education system, the professionalism of our teachers and school staff and the hard work of our young people.
“It is particularly pleasing to see another narrowing in the attainment gap between the most and least deprived areas.This builds on similar progress in the gaps for literacy and numeracy levels, as well as for the number of young people entering initial positive destinations, which has narrowed by almost two thirds since 2009-10.
“This is welcome progress but we will not be complacent and will continue to do all we can to close the poverty related attainment gap even further, having empowered headteachers and invested £1.75 billion in the Scottish Attainment Challenge over the past decade, with up to £200 million being invested this year as well.
“Curriculum for Excellence aims to prepare young people for their future in life, learning and work, and today’s results show that it is doing that. The diversity of qualifications – whether they are gained through academic study, vocational and technical learning or work-based opportunities – is equipping young people with the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to flourish in the modern world. And the range is wider than ever, with qualifications in sports, creative industries, childcare, engineering and journalism among others.
Helpline Ready to Support Thousands of Young Scots on Results Day.
“For those young people who may be disappointed with their results, I would urge them to remember that there is no wrong path. Teachers, as well as services such as the Skills Development Scotland helpline and Qualifications Scotland Learner Support Hub, are there to help plan your next steps.”
Skills Development Scotland’s Results Helpline is now taking calls for anyone that is unsure on the next steps, whether that is in work, training or further study.
More than 148,000 learners across Scotland will receive their results today – enabling them to progress onto their next stage in education, training or employment.
In its first year of delivering results for National Qualifications and Awards, Qualifications Scotland confirmed that the 2025-26 session resulted in:
Overall attainment rates at A-C increasing at all levels of National Qualifications (National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher)
The poverty-related attainment gap narrowed at all levels of National Qualifications (National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher)
Total number of vocational and technical qualifications – the skills-based awards that unlock training and career opportunities – continuing to increase to more than 120,000
Learners are achieving more National Qualifications and vocational and technical qualifications – but not to the detriment of one over the other
All learners will receive the traditional envelope through the letterbox containing their results and qualifications certificate. More than 67,000 of them have already received their results via email or text from 8am today, having signed up for the My Qualifications Scotland digital service.
Donna Stewart, Scotland’s Chief Qualifications and Examinations Officer, said: ‘Scotland’s learners should be proud of what they have achieved today – we are certainly very proud of them.
‘These results are a testament to their hard work and commitment. The rise in overall attainment at all three National Qualification levels and the increasing attainment in vocational and technical qualifications will rightly be welcomed in classrooms and staffrooms across Scotland.
‘The diversity of qualifications being achieved today is further evidence of the appetite for skills-based, practical qualifications along with traditional subjects, which give learners a variety of options to develop skills and build work experience that employers are looking out for. It is encouraging to see the number of vocational and technical qualifications continuing to grow to over 120,000.
‘The results for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses are evidence of the stable state of the awarding system with assessments working as intended, ensuring that learners were able to demonstrate what they know and can do.
‘I also want to thank my fellow teachers and lecturers; not only the thousands of them who play a critical role as markers and so make Results Day possible but every educator for the work they do every day to support learners, alongside support workers, parents and carers across Scotland.
‘Today is our first Results Day as Qualifications Scotland, and everyone takes our responsibility to deliver for Scotland’s learners very seriously and we feel privileged to have delivered these results to them today.’
Edinburgh College is hosting an Exam Results Day Drop In event this Thursday (6th August) at its Sighthill Campus. The event will give prospective students the chance to speak to lecturers about their applications and course options ahead of the 2026/27 academic year.
From 10am until 1:30pm, the College’s knowledgeable staff will be on hand to discuss potential options following the release of exam results, allowing students to secure places on courses for the upcoming session. Those students who have changed their mind about their original course choice, or are yet to submit an application for college but would like to study this year, are also encouraged to come along.
The Student Services team will also be available to provide advice on funding as well as the access to learning support available at Edinburgh College.
The College offers a wide variety of courses covering a range of subject areas within the Creative Industries, Construction and Engineering, Health, Wellbeing and Social Sciences, as well as Tourism, Hospitality and Business. Courses are delivered in a variety of study modes too, including full-time and part-time options, offering flexibility for students.
If you’re unable to make the event but would still like to discuss your options, the College will have a dedicated clearing phoneline open from the 4th of August until the 14th, from 9am to 4pm, which can be reached on 0131 297 8300.
The Boards of Edinburgh College and Forth Valley College have put forward a proposal to explore the value of deeper collaboration, as they try to find new opportunities and different ways of working to deliver improved outcomes and sustainable futures for both organisations.
The exploratory phase for an Outline Business Case (OBC), which is proposed to take place over the coming months, will specifically look at ‘linked but distinct’ models, such as a Federation Partnership. In this type of model, colleges retain their Board, Principal, curriculum and individual identity, while working together on agreed areas of collaboration.
The shared goal in this work is to find a partnership model that make both colleges stronger while fully retaining the individual identities and local community roots of each institution. During the process staff, students, and stakeholders will be asked for their views on how such a collaboration could work for them.
The principals of both Forth Valley College and Edinburgh College have written to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) to seek support for this work. It comes after the Scottish Government identified reform of the wider tertiary system as a key priority.
Principal of Edinburgh College, Audrey Cumberford, said:“There’s no doubt that the coming years will see reform of the wider tertiary sector in Scotland. I’m keen to take a proactive approach to leading and shaping what that means and might look like for our colleges.
“The boards of both our colleges believe that working together more closely could deliver better outcomes and greater regional impact, while retaining strong local accountability and identity.
“While this is at an early stage, I’m excited to discover the outcome of this exploratory work and to demonstrate how this could deliver for our staff, students, local communities and the businesses we support.”
Principal of Forth Valley College, Kenny MacInnes, said:“We recognise the need for change and are committed to taking a proactive approach to addressing the challenges ahead.
“We believe that exploring closer partnership working can create new and exciting opportunities and deliver greater impact, while continuing to operate independently and reflecting the needs and priorities of our learners and local communities.
“We have a strong and well-established track record of collaboration with Edinburgh College, built on shared growth sectors, complementary strengths and connections across our regional economies. We will also value the input of staff, students and stakeholders as we explore this potential new partnership, ensuring their voices help shape both the process and its outcomes.
“While this work is at an early stage, we are fully committed to exploring its potential and leading meaningful transformation that delivers for our staff, students, communities and employers, while supporting long-term sustainability.”
Should the SFC support the request for exploratory work and an OBC, a report would be brought back to both boards in the coming months before any decisions are made on next steps.
Edinburgh College recently welcomed representatives from partner schools across Asia as it marked a significant step in the College’s growing partnership with PDVL (The Prince Foundation programme) and wider global engagement.
Representatives from partner schools in Japan and Thailand visited the College to meet with staff, tour facilities, and formalise partnerships through the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), supporting student progression, credit recognition and wider academic collaboration.
In 2025, the College became a delivery partner for the PDVL programme, which provides a focused pre-university pathway, combining academic study with English language development and study skills to prepare students for progression to higher education. The College welcomed its first cohort in 2026, with students from China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Uzbekistan enrolling on the Business Pathway programme.
The launch of the PDVL programme marks the beginning of a new international partnership between the College and its partner schools, bringing together shared strengths and a common vision to deliver a globally relevant learning experience for the students involved. In addition, students benefit from established progression routes through PDVL’s articulation agreements with universities, supporting their onward academic journey.
Alongside programme delivery, the partnership has continued to develop through engagement with PDVL partner schools across Asia. In recent months, representatives from schools in Thailand and Japan also visited the College.
Scott Torrance, International Business Manager at Edinburgh College, said: “We are delighted to welcome our new students on the Prince Foundation programme and hope they are the trailblazers for a long relationship with PDVL.
“They arrive in Edinburgh at a great time of year as we move on from winter – we look forward to seeing our students blossom alongside the spring flowers!”
Angel Zhou, International Business Advisor at Edinburgh College, added: “This partnership reflects a shared long-term commitment to building sustainable international pathways, and we look forward to developing it further in the years ahead.”
David Low, Managing Director of PDVL Overseas Advisory Sdn Bhd, said: “From the very beginning, our partnership with Edinburgh College has been built on shared ambition and a genuine commitment to student success.
“The arrival of our first cohort is just the start – with Business and Science pathways on the horizon and a growing network of partner schools across Asia, the best is still ahead of us.”
Looking ahead, the partnership will continue to grow, with both Business and Science pathways planned from 2027, expanding opportunities for future cohorts.
EDINBURGH College is proud to mark the opening of a brand-new airport check-in facility at the Granton Campus.
The mock terminal, located on the Amber Learning Street on the first floor, will allow our students to get hands-on training in a realistic environment, with the space featuring several check-in desks, a luggage size checker, screens displaying departure times and warning signage similar to that found in a real airport.
The exciting milestone was the culmination of a shared vision, with departments from across Edinburgh College coming together to help create an environment which is both authentic and inspiring.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by staff involved with the project, with James Davies, Assistant Principal for the Centre for Care, Health and Wellbeing, doing the honours and officially opening the facility.
He says it’s a great addition to the College: “It was fantastic to cut the ribbon on the brand-new check-in facility at the Granton Campus, and I’d like to offer my sincere congratulations to everyone involved in the project, they should all be very proud of their efforts.
“Realistic working environments are pivotal in helping students develop skills for work, and combined with our aircraft fuselage, these new facilities will be vital in preparing students for their future careers in aviation.”
