A Johnstone councillor has urged parents, carers and the wider community to get in touch with their views as proposals for major changes to schools in the town move forward.
Renfrewshire Council recently revealed plans which could see a redesign of Johnstone’s primary school estate and possible changes to the future of Johnstone High School.
The proposals include potential mergers between several primary schools in the town as the council looks to address falling pupil numbers and unused classroom capacity.
Under the plans being considered, Cochrane Castle Primary could merge with Fordbank Primary, while St David’s Primary could merge with St Margaret’s Primary.
Auchenlodment Primary and Thorn Primary could also merge into a new combined school, with several possible locations currently being explored.
At the same time, the council is examining options for the future of Johnstone High School, including refurbishing the existing building, replacing it on the current site, or building a new school elsewhere in the town.
Iain McMillan, Labour councillor for Johnstone South and Elderslie, said he wants to hear directly from residents before councillors decide whether the proposals should move to the next stage.
Iain, said: “Parents will have received yesterday the proposals by the council for changes to Primary School provision in Johnstone as well as plans for Johnstone High. I am a member of the council committee that will look at these proposals.
“They will be presented to us formally next Thursday and officers of the council will be seeking the go ahead from councillors to take the plans to the next stage.
“As a member of the board and as one of the local councillors for the area that would be most impacted by these changes if they go ahead I am keen to hear the views of parents , carers , pupils and the wider community. ”
Councillor McMillan said anyone wishing to share their views can contact him directly.
“You can contact me through my FB page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/298530945698291/) or by e mail cllr.iain.mcmillan@renfrewshire.gov.uk.”
The proposals will be considered by members of the council’s Education and Children’s Services Policy Board on Thursday 12th March 2026.
If councillors agree to take the plans forward, the next stage would involve further development of the proposals and engagement with local communities before any final decisions are made.