Paisley Grammar School pupils begin a new chapter in spectacular new £85.5 million campus

Main picture: (L-R) Jake McConnachie – 16; Logan Carnan – 15; Ava Thomson – 15; Hannah Campbell – 16; Matilda Marsden – 16; Georgia Higgins – 15, Samual Ewekeye – 15.

The new campus has been delivered on time and on budget, providing a modern learning environment designed around the needs of pupils and staff and built to support the school for generations to come.

For pupils, today marks the first time they have experienced their new classrooms, sports facilities, performance spaces, social areas and specialist learning environments as part of everyday school life.

Picture: Adam Walker – 15; Niamh O’Toole – 15; Janice Levens; Grace Christie – 17; Surbjeet Singh – 16.

• Niamh O’Toole, 15, S5 pupil, Paisley Grammar School said: “I enjoy how the school is very open and there is lots of new facilities and areas that to sit at break times.  Having the new sports pitches on site is great too, plus they can be used all year round.” 
• Surbjeet Singh, S6 pupil, Paisley Grammar School said: “The school has really exceeded my expectations. The students have spaces for studying and can really focus on their learning.” 
• Janice Levens, Head Teacher, Paisley Grammar School Community Campus said: “Today is a very special day for everyone connected with Paisley Grammar School. There is a real sense of excitement as we welcome our pupils into this beautiful new campus and begin this next chapter together. The building gives us an incredible opportunity to create new experiences for our young people and to build on the strong sense of community that has always been at the heart of Paisley Grammar School. Our pupils have waited patiently to see this day arrive and I am delighted to finally see them making the building their own.” 

The campus has been designed to accommodate up to 1,350 pupils as the school roll grows. It brings together spaces for learning, sport, music, drama and performance, alongside areas designed to support pupils’ health, wellbeing and inclusion.

It also provides a new home for Renfrewshire’s Music School, giving talented young musicians from across the area access to purpose-built facilities.

Councillor Emma Rodden, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Policy Board, said: “There is something very special about seeing a school like this come alive for the first time. For years, this was a vision on paper. Today, it is a place filled with young people, teachers, laughter and learning. 

“Paisley Grammar School has been part of the story of this town for almost 450 years. We could never replace that history, but we have created a remarkable new setting in which the next part of that story can unfold.  This is an outstanding achievement for Renfrewshire, and I want to thank everyone who has played their part in bringing this project to life.” 

Photo:  Surbjeet Singh – 16; Adam Walker – 15; Niamh O’Toole – 15; Grace Christie – 17.

Janie O’Neill, Renfrewshire Council’s Director of Children’s Services, said: “Today is the result of an enormous amount of hard work by people across Renfrewshire Council and by our partners over many years. 

“What makes me particularly proud is that the finished campus reflects the ambition we had from the beginning. It is a building that feels different, works differently and gives our young people and staff so many innovative learning and teaching opportunities. 

“We now have a wonderful foundation for the future, and I cannot wait to see how Paisley Grammar builds on its proud history and continues to thrive in this wonderful new facility.” 

The project was supported through the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme, with more than £27 million of Scottish Government funding contributing to the new campus.

The new campus has been built to internationally recognised Passivhaus standards, helping it use significantly less energy than a traditional school building while providing a comfortable environment for pupils and staff throughout the year.

The opening also marks an important milestone in the wider transformation taking place around the school.

The campus forms part of the council’s AMIDS South project, which is improving connections between Paisley town centre, Glasgow Airport and the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS).

New Grammar Road and the new junction with Renfrew Road provide access to the campus, while the wider investment includes improved walking, wheeling and cycling routes and the Gallowhill Link beneath Renfrew Road.

The wider AMIDS South project will continue, with future phases including a new bridge across the White Cart, creating an important new connection between Paisley town centre and AMIDS.

Today marks the beginning of a new era for one of Scotland’s oldest schools, bringing almost 450 years of history into one of the country’s newest learning environments.