Learning Estate Programme Update ECSPB
Renfrewshire Council · 21 May 2026
Back to Education and Children's Services Policy Board — 21 May 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
PUBLIC To: Education and Children’s Services Policy Board On: 21 May 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. Concurrently, the Learning Estate Strategy continues to progress with the development of the Full Business Case (FBC) process for the following three projects: • Trinity High School • Johnstone Primary School Estate • Johnstone High School 1.4. The main focus of the FBC is currently on engagement planning, with an update provided on this process. __________________________________________________________________ 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.
Page 2
PUBLIC 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 the majority of the building now complete internally. As the project enters its final phases, on-site activity is expected to increase to support transition planning for the school’s move into the new building. 3.3. Digital fit out continues with all ICT equipment progressing through the order and preparation stages. 3.4. Phase one of the new Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMIDS) South project is underway to create the new road and junction on Renfrew Road which will serve the Campus. 3.5. Work is complete on the new underpass connecting Gallowhill to existing active travel routes by utilising a former railway underpass. 3.6. The Council’s Roads Department continues to progress a number of identified improvement works to the critical roads and footpath network in the vicinity of the new school. 4. Park Mains High School Extension & Internal Interventions 4.1. The Contractor commenced advance works on site in March 2026 to enable site preparation and delivery of critical ground works, providing the necessary foundations for the subsequent commencement of the main construction phase. The contractor is working closely with the project team and school leadership staff to ensure works on site are managed and coordinated to minimise any disruption. 4.2. Following commercial agreement and market testing of the remaining work packages, the main works construction contract was recommended at the April Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board. This will allow the main works construction to continue seamlessly from the work which will begin in March 2026. This process has been planned to allow all works to complete by August 2027 as outlined in the project timelines. 5. Thistle Primary School 5.1. The Main Works construction for Thistle Primary continues to progress, with delivery remaining on track and visible progress providing assurance against key milestones. 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. Supporting ground infrastructure is now complete, the steel frame of the building fully installed, concrete floors poured, and the external envelope now being constructed to seal the building. 5.3. The new Head Teacher has taken up post which represents an important step in building the school community and planning for the school opening in August 2027. This planning activity is now underway to establish future priorities and operational readiness, supporting a well-managed transition to the new school and the effective commencement of operations.
Page 3
PUBLIC 6. Business Case Updates 6.1. Full Business Case (FBC) progress is taking place for Trinity High School, Johnstone High School, and Johnstone Primary School Estate projects. 6.2. Targeted early engagement events for teaching staff, parents/carers, pupils, and the local community are scheduled to take place during May and June 2026. These sessions will provide stakeholders with the opportunity to review the proposed site options and provide structured feedback. 6.3. Council officers will attend to outline the proposals, respond to questions, and capture stakeholder views. A series of graphics and information will be used to support these engagement sessions and help gain the most out of the process. Work will also take place to share the content with elected members to gather their views, as well as members being welcome to attend the open evening event being planned for each project. 6.4. A targeted survey will also be sent out to all affected stakeholders noted above, using visual aids to gain feedback on the options, ensuring that there is opportunity for feedback for all. 6.5. Feedback from these events, alongside wider planned engagement activity, will inform the decision-making process on the preferred site or option to be taken forward. It should be noted that community feedback is important to understand local context, and views from those affected by proposals, and these views must be balanced against the other decision- making factors that will include matters such as financials, technical feasibility, and alignment with the Learning Estate Strategic Objectives. 6.6. As per normal procedures, a procurement process is underway to appoint specialist consultants to undertake technical assessments of the options, and it is likely that the outputs of this work will warrant further engagement to be able to zone in on a single preferrable option based on the most up to date information regarding each option. This engagement will take place after the summer break and will allow all feedback received to date, as well as any provisional technical analysis to be communicated. The overall ambitions of the project timelines will remain under review throughout the entire process, with estimates having been outlined to date, but any such proposal to conduct further engagement prior to presenting the FBC is likely to have an insignificant impact on the overall timeline presented thus far. ______________________________________________________________ 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
Page 4
PUBLIC 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. 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.
Page 5
PUBLIC 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 Author: Jack Lochans – Strategic Learning Estate Manager jack.lochans@renfrewshire.gov.uk