A new state-of-the-art Paisley Grammar School campus could be built after parents and the community have their say on an identified site in Paisley.
Education officers will start a six-week consultation on relocating the school to land at the soon to be vacated Chivas site on Renfrew Road if councillors at the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board approve the approach on Thursday 12 March.
The consultation would begin on Monday 30 March and close on Monday 1 June 2020, with a public meeting held on Wednesday 22 April at 6.30pm in Paisley Grammar School.
The new-build school would provide state-of-the-art technology and enhanced drama, performance, media and learning facilities to support pupils’ attainment and their wider achievement.
Pupils would also benefit from high-quality sports and outdoor areas that cannot be provided at the school’s current location.
The proposed location could also improve links with businesses, partners and enterprise to enhance skills and experiences needed for the workplace.
The new campus would offer enhanced facilities to broaden the curriculum for senior pupils.
Depute Leader and Education and Children’s Services Convener, Councillor Jim Paterson, said the proposal to relocate Paisley Grammar School would give pupils a state-of-the-art learning environment that is needed for their educational achievement.
He said: “We want all our pupils to have the best learning environments possible and the proposals to relocate Paisley Grammar School will help us provide the educational facilities that a modern high school requires.
“The current location for the school is not big enough to provide the required outdoor and indoor learning environments that we want to provide for all our children and young people.
“If the community gives us the go ahead to develop these proposals, then officers will work with partners to develop detailed plans for a new community campus facility.”
The new school would be on land that will be vacated later this year, with the Council in advanced negotiations with Pernod Ricard to complete the purchase of the majority of their 24-acre site.
The site is of significant strategic economic importance for future development in the area and offers a range of development opportunities that will bring benefits to the surrounding communities and bolster the local economy.
Councillor Paterson added that it is important as many people living in the catchment area as possible have their say on this consultation.
He said: “We want to gauge the views of pupils, parents and the community who live within the catchment area for Paisley Grammar on the proposed relocation and, if approved at the next Education and Children’s Services Policy Board, consultation will begin at the end of March.
“Pupils, parents and the wider community living in the catchment area for Paisley Grammar School will be able to have their say by attending the public meeting, or by visiting www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/haveyoursay on the Council’s website.”