Work is continuing on the expansion and redesign of Park Mains High School in Erskine as part of Renfrewshire Council’s investment in school buildings.
The project will provide extra teaching and learning space to support the school’s growing number of pupils. It will also improve facilities for staff and create modern, flexible classrooms designed to meet future needs.
Construction is being carried out by Morrison Construction and the council says the project remains on track.
Early work has now been completed to prepare the site. This has included groundworks for the new buildings, relocating some existing services and utilities, installing drainage and setting up the construction site with secure fencing, offices and welfare facilities for workers. Measures have also been put in place to separate construction work from the day-to-day running of the school.
Work has also progressed on expanding the school’s car park and transport areas to improve access for pupils, staff and families when the project is finished.
The project will include a new teaching building beside the existing west wing and a new sports building next to the current sports block. The existing school will also be reconfigured to group related subjects together, while dining facilities will be expanded with extra indoor space and a new dining extension.
Outside, there will be new paving, covered seating areas, planting, a sensory garden, extra parking and a larger bus drop-off and pick-up area.
Park Mains High School pupil Hayden Rodgers, 15, said: “It’s exciting to see Park Mains having the opportunity to build our educational potential.”
Head teacher Alan Dick said: “It is exciting to see the progress being made on the school expansion and what this will mean for our young people in the years ahead.
“The new facilities will provide modern learning environments and additional opportunities for pupils, while helping us continue to meet the needs of our growing school community. We are working closely with partners to make sure the project progresses as smoothly as possible while minimising disruption to school life.”
Councillor Emma Rodden, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Policy Board, said: “It’s very positive to see the progress being made at Park Mains High School. It was great to chat to the young people and hear about how the work will provide modern, flexible spaces that support high-quality learning and teaching, and ensure the school continues to meet the needs of its growing community.
“This is part of our wider commitment to investing in education across Renfrewshire.”
Janie O’Neill, Director of Children’s Services at Renfrewshire Council, said: “Investing in modern, high-quality school buildings is about creating the best possible environments for young people to learn, grow and achieve.
“The work taking place at Park Mains High School will help ensure pupils and staff benefit from facilities that are fit for the future, while supporting the needs of the wider community for many years to come.”
Headline photo: Left to right: Janie O’Neill, Director of Children’s Services at Renfrewshire Council; Park Mains High School pupil Anders Linden (15); Alan Dick, Head Teacher of Park Mains High School; pupil Heidi McCulloch (15); and Councillor Emma Rodden, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Policy Board, at the Park Mains High School extension site in Erskine
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Left to right: Carol Moultrie, Senior Architect at Renfrewshire Council; Councillor Emma Rodden, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Policy Board; Park Mains High School pupils Anders Linden (15) and Abby Gray (17); Allan Cunningham, Operations Director at Morrison Construction; Alan Dick, Head Teacher of Park Mains High School; pupils Hayden Rodgers (15), Heidi McCulloch (15), Sophie Aitkenhead (14) and Alexander Turpie (17); and Janie O’Neill, Director of Children’s Services at Renfrewshire Council, at the Park Mains High School extension site in Erskine
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Left to right: Janie O’Neill, Director of Children’s Services at Renfrewshire Council; Park Mains High School pupil Anders Linden (15); Alan Dick, Head Teacher of Park Mains High School; pupil Heidi McCulloch (15); and Councillor Emma Rodden, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Policy Board, at the Park Mains High School extension site in Erskine
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council