Learning Estate Programme Update ECSPB
Renfrewshire Council · 15 January 2026
Back to Education and Children's Services Policy Board — 15 January 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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PUBLIC To: Education and Children’s Services Policy Board On: 15 January 2026 __________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Children’s Services __________________________________________________________________ Heading: Learning Estate Programme Update __________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1. The current phase of the Learning Estate Delivery Programme is ongoing with the following live projects: • Paisley Grammar School Community Campus • Park Mains High School Extension & Internal Interventions • Thistle Primary School 1.2. This report provides a short update on the latest development of project construction and design progress. 1.3. The Learning Estate Strategy is also concurrently delivering a series of business cases, initially covering the Johnstone learning estate (both primary and secondary) and Trinity High School. An update is provided on the progress of this work and the next steps. __________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations Members of the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board are asked to: 2.1. Note the progress of project delivery in the Learning Estate Programme. 2.2. Note the progress of business case development for priority projects and next steps. 3. Paisley Grammar School Community Campus 3.1. The project to deliver a new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus continues to deliver on time, and on budget, and is scheduled to complete by the summer of 2026. 3.2. Construction continues to progress with large areas of the internals now progressing towards completion with the fit out of loose furnishing in areas beginning shortly.
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PUBLIC 3.3. Work is now progressing on the major construction of the new Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMIDS) South project that will deliver core travel infrastructure supporting the school including a new link road that connects Renfrew Road to Harbour Road, facilitating alternative travel routes for both active travel and vehicular access to the new school. 3.4. Work has also now commenced on site to construct a new underpass connecting Gallowhill to existing active travel routes by utilising a former railway underpass, allowing pupils and members of the community to safely pass under Renfrew Road without the need to navigate the road. This will incorporate access directly to the new access point of the school. 3.5. Officers across the project team have been working in collaboration with colleagues in the Roads Department to identify areas for improvement across the entire stretch of Renfrew Road which will become a key travel route to the new school. This process has identified circa 50 improvements that are already being actioned including resurfacing of roads and footways, the creation of new pedestrian crossings, and various safety improvements. 3.6. As the construction of the new school progresses to the final months of delivery, a large focus is being applied to move management planning, school fit out, and elements such as digital and learning/teaching equipment. 4. Park Mains High School Extension & Internal Interventions 4.1. The design process of the extended Park Mains High School is largely complete with some final contractor and sub-contractor design portions that will follow at the point of construction. The contractor is now completing the market testing process where all sub-contractors, specialists, and materials will be procured and costed. 4.2. This market testing process will allow a final contract price for construction to be agreed ahead of formally awarding both an advanced works contract, and a main works contract in early 2026 ahead of construction. 4.3. Planning permission for the project was formally agreed at the Planning and Climate Change Policy Board on 4th November 2025. This will allow the project to progress, and as a result, the submission of building warrants for construction approval is now progressing. 4.4. Close work is taking place with the school to plan in detail the phasing of the construction works, and a schedule of move management. 4.5. Pending formal contract approvals and awards in early 2026, construction is scheduled to begin in March 2026 and the project remains on track to complete in the summer of 2027. 5. Thistle Primary School 5.1. Work has now commenced on site to construct the new Thistle Primary School in Dargavel. This follows a detailed and controlled design and approval process with the Contractor BAM UK (Through Hub West Scotland) working on initial site preparation, foundations, drainage and formation of hard landscaping areas through to early 2026 where elements of the structure will then begin. 5.2. The project remains on track to complete in the summer of 2027 and updates will be provided to this Board on the progress of construction as it progresses. 5.3. Recruitment is underway for a Head Teacher for the school with an appointment expected in early 2026. This will be an important leadership role with responsibility for planning the school
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PUBLIC identity, set up, operation and procedures, and recruitment of staff prior to the opening of the school. 6. Business Case Development 6.1. Following the most recent detailed update in October 2025 regarding the progress of business cases for priority schools, work has been ongoing to define the Outline Business Case for each project that will be reported to the next Policy Board in March 2026. 6.2. Work continues to assess the options associated with each route forward in greater detail and all options will be included in the Outline Business Cases presented in March 2026. In March, members of this Board will be asked to make a decision on the recommended shortlist of options for each project to progress to Full Business Case stage throughout 2026 where a deeper level of analysis will be conducted, with the aim of providing a single recommended option to proceed with in early 2027. _____________________________________________________________ Implications of this report 1. Financial All budgets associated with the capital projects discussed in this report have been agreed by Council and undergo rigorous management and quality assurance on a regular basis. 2. HR and Organisational Development None. 3. Community/Council Planning Our Renfrewshire is thriving - New, and improved, learning estate assets will allow our children and young people to thrive with the best possible infrastructure to support their school experience. Staff, and community users will benefit from modern and inclusive environments. Reshaping our place, our economy and our future - The learning estate shall be appropriately scaled and equipped to meet curriculum expectations and deliver an appropriate learning and teaching experience for all. 4. Legal None. 5. Property/Assets These projects will deliver significant improvements to the learning estate, extending the life of assets, and improving the experience of young people, staff, and the wider community. 6. Information Technology Digital improvements will be delivered through the learning estate strategy, where access to technology for all, will be a key priority for projects.
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PUBLIC 7. Equality and Human Rights The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health and Safety None. 9. Procurement Any procurement work required is conducted in collaboration with the Council’s Procurement team and adheres to appropriate regulations. 10. Risk All projects are bound by rigorous governance and supported by detailed risk registers. Risk is reported and managed at various levels with scrutiny applied to ensure mitigations and contingency plans are in place. 11. Privacy Impact None. 12. Climate Risk New, and improved, learning estate assets will directly contribute to the Council’s journey towards net zero. Sustainability is a key concept of all projects. 13. Children’s Rights When considering any future school provision, the impact this will have on children is a key consideration, and any work will be based around the direct needs of children to allow their education experience to thrive. Whilst children have a right to choose where they wish to attend school in collaboration with their parents, the council’s admissions policy applies to ensure that schools that are oversubscribed can be managed. 14. Cosla Policy Position None. Children’s Services JL/GM/JO Dec 2025 Author: Jack Lochans – Strategic Learning Estate Manager jack.lochans@renfrewshire.gov.uk