Five new classrooms will give high school more learning space
Work to transform a modular unit into five classrooms at Park Mains High School in Erskine is expected to be completed next month.
The move is set to boost capacity at the facility in the town’s Barrhill Road by providing space for a further 165 pupils, a learning estate update has disclosed.
Last May, it was agreed a 400-pupil extension – anticipated to cost around £30 million – should be built at the school to help it cope with future demand.
It’s expected to be in place by June 2027.
However, additional flexibility will be created at the site in the short-term, with a modular unit due to be repurposed and operational by April.
A report, authored by Gerry Lyons, interim head of education at Renfrewshire Council, explained: “In May 2023, the education and children’s services policy board approved a 400-pupil extension to the capacity of Park Mains High School, and to cap that school’s total capacity at the extended 2,000 figure.
“To create additional flexibility for the school a modular unit has been moved to Park Mains High School and will be repurposed into five additional classrooms, which will be able to accommodate a further 165 pupils. We are expecting this to be in place and operational for April 2024.
“The high-level cost estimate for an extended building to the school is circa £30m.
“Discussions are ongoing regarding the obligation of BAE Systems who, under the existing Section 75 agreement, have an obligation to contribute towards the expansion cost.”
The report, which will be considered by councillors on Thursday, said a liaison group for Park Mains continues to meet regularly, with the most recent meeting being held on Tuesday, January 30.
It added: “Members of the Park Mains High School parent council and all its associated primaries attend to receive updates on roll projections, share information on the programme and gather feedback which will help inform the design of the building.”
Five additional classrooms will be able to accommodate a further 165 pupils...