Hundreds of pupils have walked through the doors of the new £85.5 million Paisley Grammar School Community Campus for the first time.
The school officially opened to pupils on Thursday 20th August 2026, marking a new chapter in the nearly 450-year history of Paisley Grammar School.
Pupils and staff began the new school year in the campus, which has been delivered on time and on budget.
For pupils, it was their first chance to use the new classrooms, sports facilities, performance spaces, social areas and specialist learning environments as part of everyday school life.
Niamh O’Toole, 15, an S5 pupil at Paisley Grammar School, said: “I enjoy how the school is very open and there is lots of new facilities and areas that to sit at break times.
“Having the new sports pitches on site is great too, plus they can be used all year round.”
S6 pupil Surbjeet Singh said: “The school has really exceeded my expectations.
“The students have spaces for studying and can really focus on their learning.”
Head teacher Janice Levens said: “Today is a very special day for everyone connected with Paisley Grammar School. There is a real sense of excitement as we welcome our pupils into this beautiful new campus and begin this next chapter together.
“The building gives us an incredible opportunity to create new experiences for our young people and to build on the strong sense of community that has always been at the heart of Paisley Grammar School.
“Our pupils have waited patiently to see this day arrive and I am delighted to finally see them making the building their own.”
The campus can accommodate up to 1,350 pupils as the school roll grows.
It brings together spaces for learning, sport, music, drama and performance, alongside areas designed to support pupils’ health, wellbeing and inclusion.
It also provides a new home for 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: “There is something very special about seeing a school like this come alive for the first time. For years, this was a vision on paper. Today, it is a place filled with young people, teachers, laughter and learning.
“Paisley Grammar School has been part of the story of this town for almost 450 years. We could never replace that history, but we have created a remarkable new setting in which the next part of that story can unfold.
“This is an outstanding achievement for Renfrewshire, and I want to thank everyone who has played their part in bringing this project to life.”
Janie O’Neill, Renfrewshire Council’s Director of Children’s Services, said: “Today is the result of an enormous amount of hard work by people across Renfrewshire Council and by our partners over many years.
“What makes me particularly proud is that the finished campus reflects the ambition we had from the beginning. It is a building that feels different, works differently and gives our young people and staff so many innovative learning and teaching opportunities.
“We now have a wonderful foundation for the future, and I cannot wait to see how Paisley Grammar builds on its proud history and continues to thrive in this wonderful new facility.”
The project was supported through the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme, with more than £27 million of Scottish Government funding contributing towards the new campus.
The building has been constructed to internationally recognised Passivhaus standards, designed to use significantly less energy than a traditional school building.
The campus forms part of Renfrewshire Council’s AMIDS South project, which is improving connections between Paisley town centre, Glasgow Airport and the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland.
New Grammar Road and a new junction with Renfrew Road provide access to the campus.
The wider project also includes improved walking, wheeling and cycling routes and the Gallowhill Link beneath Renfrew Road.
Future phases of AMIDS South include a new bridge across the White Cart, creating a new connection between Paisley town centre and AMIDS.
Social media preview: Hundreds of pupils have started the new school year inside the £85.5 million Paisley Grammar School Community Campus for the first time.
Photo: Jake McConnachie, 16, Logan Carnan, 15, Ava Thomson, 15, Hannah Campbell, 16, Matilda Marsden, 16, Georgia Higgins, 15, and Samual Ewekeye, 15, outside the new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Adam Walker, 15, Niamh O’Toole, 15, head teacher Janice Levens, Grace Christie, 17, and Surbjeet Singh, 16.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Adam Walker, 15, Surbjeet Singh, 16, Grace Christie, 17, and Niamh O’Toole, 15.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Surbjeet Singh, 16, Adam Walker, 15, Niamh O’Toole, 15, and Grace Christie, 17.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
