The first images showing inside the completed new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus have been released ahead of pupils moving in later this month.
Renfrewshire Council has released architectural photography and drone footage of the £85.5 million campus, which will open to pupils for the first time on Thursday 20th August.
The new campus has been completed on time and on budget and can accommodate up to 1,350 pupils as the school roll grows.
It includes specialist science and STEM facilities, dedicated drama and performance spaces and enhanced sports facilities, including full-size 3G and grass pitches.
The campus will also become home to Renfrewshire’s Music School, with purpose-built facilities for young musicians from across the area.
Councillor Emma Rodden, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Policy Board, said: “This is a landmark moment, not only for Paisley Grammar School but for education across Renfrewshire.
“Paisley Grammar has helped shape the lives of generations of young people. This outstanding new campus allows that proud history to continue in a building designed for the future.
“From the modern teaching spaces to the sports facilities, science laboratories and performance areas, every part of the campus has been created to give our young people the very best environment in which to learn, grow and succeed.”
The new school includes funding from Scottish Futures Trust and the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Improvement Programme.
Scottish Government Education Secretary Màiri McAllan said: “I am pleased to have supported this exciting new campus for Paisley Grammar School with more than £27 million from our Learning Estate Investment Programme. As this footage shows, this campus will be a truly inspiring learning environment for pupils for many years to come.
“Curriculum for Excellence aims to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to flourish in the modern world. Schools environments such as these – with high-quality science and STEM facilities alongside dedicated spaces for sports, drama and music – are key to making this happen.
“Every child deserves a great environment to learn and grow in, and 92% of Scottish schools are now rated in ‘good’ or ‘satisfactory’ condition compared with 62.7% in 2007. We’re proud to be building further on this progress by continuing to invest in school improvements across Scotland.”
Chris Malcolm, project director and principal at Ryder Architecture, said: “We are genuinely delighted to hand over to Renfrewshire Council what will be a fantastic building for the learners, staff and community of Paisley Grammar School Community Campus.
“This project is a brilliant example of what can be achieved with a clear vision and a culture of genuine collaboration. We are very proud to have played a key part in the journey.”
The campus has been built to internationally recognised Passivhaus standards, which are designed to significantly reduce the amount of energy a building uses.
David Ewing, Managing Director of Morrison Construction Building Central, said: “We are incredibly proud to have delivered this outstanding new campus in partnership with Renfrewshire Council.
“Paisley Grammar School Community Campus is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through collaboration, creating a modern, sustainable learning environment that will inspire pupils, support staff and serve the wider community for generations to come. Congratulations to everyone involved, and we wish pupils and teachers every success as they begin this exciting new chapter.”
Janie O’Neill, Renfrewshire Council’s Director of Children’s Services, added: “I am thrilled to see the new school open, and I am excited about the opportunities this will present for our young people, their teachers and all the staff and the wider community who will get to enjoy this amazing facility, both now and for future generations.
“This marks the culmination of years of hard work, from the initial planning and design, through to the construction of the school and new roads which has involved multiple council services working together with school and support staff, and our partners and contractors. It has been an excellent example of teamwork across services and with partners.
“The outstanding quality of the finished building is testament to the creativity and the teamwork displayed and I want to thank and pay tribute to everyone involved and hope they are as proud of this fabulous school and community campus as I am.”
The new campus sits within the wider AMIDS South project, which is improving transport links between Paisley town centre, Glasgow Airport and the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland.
Work has included a new east-west road and a new junction with Renfrew Road, which will provide access to the school.
The council has also delivered a new route underneath Renfrew Road connecting Gallowhill with the Paisley to Renfrew cycle route, along with wider road improvements.
The school will welcome pupils for the first time on Thursday 20th August.
Video Caption: Take the first look inside the new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus.
Video Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo Caption: The pupil entrance at the new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo Caption: Corridor views showing non-practical classrooms with adjacent breakout seating inside the new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo Caption: The dining space and social stair inside the new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo Caption: The triple-height “heart” space, which takes inspiration from the memorial hall in the former Paisley Grammar School.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo Caption: The “Hub” space, centrally located within the new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo Caption: The Literacy Learning Plaza, which combines flexible furniture and a mini Hellerup stair for lecture-style teaching.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo Caption: Covered outdoor learning and social spaces at the new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo Caption: A science laboratory with enhanced IT provision and casting capability inside the new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo Caption: The four-court games hall with a timber sprung floor inside the new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo Caption: The public entrance at the new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council