State-of-the-art Paisley £75m super school 'on time and on budget'

Construction of the new Paisley Grammar School is “on time” and “on budget” as Renfrewshire Council issues its latest update on the major project.

The local authority has confirmed the job is still scheduled to be finished by this summer, with large parts of the interior progressing towards completion.

A learning estate programme update will be included in a report to the education and children’s services policy board this Thursday.

It reads: “The project to deliver a new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus continues to deliver on time, and on budget, and is scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2026.

“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.

“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.”

The school is set to be a modern energy-efficient building with two full-size sports pitches, outdoor learning and social spaces and a 300-seat theatre.

There will also be a fitness suite, dance studio, teaching kitchens, drama studio and music suites.

It is expected to facilitate a range of ways to learn and teach, with open spaces for group work as well as traditional classrooms and facilities for use by the wider community outside of the school day.

The development is taking place on land next to the former Chivas administration building and will replace its ageing namesake in Glasgow Road, a site which is proposed to be converted into flats.

An update will also be provided to elected members on a series of improvements due to be carried out in Renfrew Road.

The report added: “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.

“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.

“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.”