Learning Estate Update ECSPB
Renfrewshire Council · 23 May 2024
Back to Education and Children's Services Policy Board — 23 May 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Page 1 of 6 To: Education and Children’s Services Policy Board On: 23 May 2024 __________________________________________________________________ Report by: Interim Head of Education __________________________________________________________________ Heading: Learning Estate Update __________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide members with a further update on current capital projects to develop and improve the learning estate, as well as providing a brief overview of the next steps of the Learning Estates Strategy under development. 1.2 A number of significant projects are underway to enhance the school estate, and this report will cover: • Paisley Grammar School Community Campus • Park Mains High School extension and alterations • New Dargavel Primary School • Dargavel Primary School internal alterations • Bishopton Primary School classroom block • Thorn Primary School new build • Castlehead roof strengthening works 1.3 The programme of work continues at pace and remains on track as per agreed timescales. Further detail of each project is provided within this report. 2. Recommendations 2.1. It is recommended that members note the content of this report.
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Page 2 of 6 2.2. Members are asked to note the intent to construct a new Thorn Primary School on the grounds of the current school, following final assessment of the business case. 3. Paisley Grammar School Community Campus 3.1. This project will deliver a new state of the art education and community facility for Paisley Grammar School. The project to deliver a new Paisley Grammar school has made significant progress in recent months with the enabling works beginning on site in March 2024. This work will ensure all land is prepared and in a ‘construction ready’ state, ahead of the main works contract beginning on 17 June 2024. 3.2. The contract for the main works is going through final governance approvals currently, and will be announced imminently, to ensure the contractor can begin work on 17 June. 3.3. Whilst a series of public engagement has already taken place, officers will ensure that the school community, local community and elected members remain updated on progress through a communications plan. 4. Park Mains High School Extension and Adaptations 4.1. As reported to the last Policy Board, a series of space planning sessions have been undertaken to determine how the school could be increased to a 2,000 capacity school. This exercise has produced a model that is deliverable from a construction and education perspective. 4.2. The next steps of this exercise is to complete detailed cost planning on the proposed model to determine exact cost outturn, which is the standard process for all construction projects. 4.3. To ensure the model will deliver an excellent education experience, significant work has taken place with professional school space planners, the Head Teacher and senior management, as well as multiple information gathering and sharing exercises with staff. This has been supported by engagement sessions with parent council groups of both the secondary school, and all feeder primary schools. 4.4. The extended Park Mains High School is planned to deliver for summer 2027 in line with projections of increased demand. The project is currently finalising Stage 1 of the design and once agreed by the Learning Estates Programme Board, progress will be made with planning the procurement of a contractor and the remaining design stages. 4.5. A full engagement plan is being developed, and all stakeholders will remain fully updated with proposed plans and progress and will have opportunity to engage with plans. 4.6. Whilst this project is being delivered, the installation of temporary modular unit has been taking place at the school to deliver flexibility and an increase in space. This modular unit has delivered five additional classrooms, and is on
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Page 3 of 6 track to be handed over for use in June 2024. The final fit out of these classrooms is currently taking place. 5. New Dargavel Primary School 5.1. Under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 the Council has completed a formal consultation on a proposal to establish a new primary school in Dargavel. A separate paper on this consultation has been provided to this Policy Board and therefore this paper will not address the detail of that consultation. 5.2. If a decision is made to proceed with delivering a new primary school in Dargavel, the Council has taken pro active steps to ensure a tight timescale for delivery can be achieved. This has included engaging with Hub West Scotland for an accelerated route to market for construction contractors and consultants to deliver a new school. Whilst no detailed work has been possible until the decision of the consultation is known, this approach will ensure that the project can hit the ground running. 5.3. Coupled with engagement of Hub West Scotland, the project team has also continued detailed information gathering with key stakeholders to ensure the brief and requirements of the new school are known. This will also include all feedback from public engagement throughout the course of the public consultation process. 5.4. It should also be noted that this project will continue to engage with the public and key stakeholders through the design stages of the project if agreement is made to proceed with the delivery of a new primary school in Dargavel. 5.5. Plans are in place to ensure that this school can be delivered for summer 2027 which matches the requirement for demand with roll projections. 6. Dargavel Primary School Internal Alterations 6.1. Following the opening of Dargavel Primary School, allowing time for staff and pupils to embed and get to know their school, a number of feedback points have been received. These matters have been addressed and has resulted in some internal alterations being planned for summer 2024. 6.2. This work will address noise disruption in some areas of the school, caused through the open plan nature of the design. The building warrant associated with these works has been approved and the contractor has completed some early work over the Easter holidays. The contractor is ready to commence the remainder of the work in the summer holidays this year. 6.3. These works seek to achieve better use of space in the school as well as improved educational experience for pupils through a reduction in noise.
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Page 4 of 6 7. Bishopton Primary School Classroom Block 7.1. Work to deliver an improved classroom block at Bishopton Primary School has been ongoing. This facility will provide a modern teaching environment and increased flexibility to the school. 7.2. Work remains on track for a handover of this facility during summer 2024 which will allow use from the new school year. 8. Thorn Primary School 8.1. The Council agreed under the previous School Estates Management Plan to invest £10million to deliver a new Thorn Primary School, with the intention for the balance of the funding required to be funded through the Learning Estate Investment Programme managed by the Scottish Futures Trust. 8.2. Following an unsuccessful funding bid, the Council agreed to apply additional funds to meet the budget gap to enable the delivery of this new school. This was provided with support from a business case which showed that the expected cost to deliver a refurbishment and extension to increase the condition and suitability of the school would cost circa. £10.8million compared to the indicative costs for a new build which would cost circa £14million. 8.3. On the balance of economic advantage and a much improved suitability of school through the delivery of a new build, the council agreed to fund this additonal budget requirement. 8.4. Members are asked to note the intention that upon initial site ivestigation to determine the viability of delvering a new school on the grounds of the current school, and on review of the business case, it is the intention to proceed with the delivery of a new build school for Thorn Primary. 8.5. The project remains at very early stages, and intial stakeholder engagement is being planned to ensure that all views are heard and can be appropriately implemented into the design of the new school where possible. 8.6. Current estimates project that a new school can be delivered by 2028. However, a full programme will be developed shortly, and will be shared with Elected Members and the community. 9. Castlehead Roof Strengthening Work 9.1. Following the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the gym areas of Castlehead High School, a procurement exercise has been completed to appoint a contractor to undertake remedial strengthening works in these areas. 9.2. A contractor has been appointed and will commence work in early June 2024, with an expected contract period of 17 weeks. Throughout this process, the school and education management will continue to manage any disruption to staff and pupils.
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Page 5 of 6 9.3. This work will provide essential safety improvements and improve the condition of all gym areas in the school which will ensure that the space can be used safely with an improved experience for all. 10. School Estates Management Plan / Learning Estates Strategy 10.1. As previously agreed with this Board, a School Estates Management Plan will be provided to the August Policy Board. This plan is currently being worked on and will encompass the proposal for a new strategic model for how the school estate will be managed and improved going forward. 10.2. This strategy aims to produce a comprehensive model for future years to ensure that Renfrewshire can provide a high class education experience for all, and draws on many lessons learned from recent years. 10.3. Further communication will be shared with Members on this strategy prior to publication. Implications of this report 1. Financial This report is for noting and as such there no implications which arise directly from this report. 2. HR and Organisational Development None 3. Community/Council Planning Our Renfrewshire is thriving - The new learning environment will support learning and achievement for all. Our Renfrewshire is well - The new learning environment will support the Health and Wellbeing of all. Our Renfrewshire is safe - The new learning environment will provide safe and secure spaces for all users. Reshaping our place, our economy and our future - The new learning environment will provided spaces which support local enterprise. Building strong, safe and resilient communities - The new learning environment will provide spaces to support community activities. 4. Legal Renfrewshire Council adheres to all relevant legislation.
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Page 6 of 6 5. Property/Assets Through its school estate management plan the Council aims to have an efficient and well maintained property portfolio which provides learning environments which support the delivery of the curriculum. 6. Information Technology The new campus will have IT provision which supports digitally enabled learning. 7. Equality and Human Rights The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. There has been a full Equalities and Human Rights Assessment carried out for the consultation process to ensure it is fully inclusive. 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 Renfrewshire Council adheres to all procurement regulations. 10. Risk A full risk register will be compiled for the project in accordance with the Council’s established risk management protocols. 11. Privacy Impact None. 12. Cosla Policy Position None. 13. Climate Risk The project aims to comply with the requirements for ambitious energy efficiency targets over the long term and to contribute to the Council’s net-zero commitments. Children’s Services JL/GL 10 May 2024 Author: Gerry Lyons, Interim Head of Education gerry.lyons@renfrewshire.gov.uk