Staff and pupils at Park Mains High in Erskine have been showing off their new £31million school.
Renfrewshire Council Leader Mark Macmillan, and Councillor
Jacqueline Henry, Convener of the council's Education Policy Board,
visited the school which opened at the start of term.
The new school was built adjoining the original
Park Mains High which opened in 1974. The school has 1372
pupils and serves the communities of Erskine, Bishopton, and
surrounding areas including Inchinnan and Langbank.
A three storey main building defined by a strong
brickwork grid is joined by a two storey management and
administration building clad in Rheinzink cladding.
The school's innovative design and construction
approach features maximum use of natural light to offer a bright,
open environment for teaching and learning.
In addition to hi-tech classrooms, and wi-fi
access, there are new learning opportunities through breakout areas
adjoining classrooms which can be used for a variety of learning
techniques.
Sustainability has been given prominence as shown
by the BREEAM environmental certification scheme and an
Energy Performance Certificate of B+.
Integrating educational, sporting, cultural and
community facilities has also been a key aim.
Renfrewshire Leisure manages the school's sports
facilities for community and club use in the evenings and at
weekends.
In addition to a synthetic pitch, there's a four
court games hall, gymnasium and dance studio.
The multi-use assembly hall has a main stage which
has been designed to accommodate local community drama and
theatre.
"When you enter the school you immediately feel you
are going into a positive learning environment," said Councillor
Henry. "There are so many interesting spaces and options for
staff and pupils to make the most of.
"Park Mains High is well known for being at the
heart of the communities it serves, and this tremendous new
facility can only enhance that connection."
Councillor Mark Macmillan said: "Education is
a top priority for this council and we'll be doing all we can to
maximise the opportunities available to pupils, staff and
communities."
Michael Dewar, Head Teacher of Park Mains High,
said: "A lot of preparation has taken place to make the
transition to the new school as smooth as possible and all that
hard work has paid off.
"There's been a very positive reaction from the
school community and we are looking forward to making the most of
it.
"I'm particularly excited about the additional
opportunities we have for teaching subjects in a new way. We
arranged advance training for teachers in ways of taking forward
active and co-operative learning and in using the new breakout
spaces.
"There's also the option for some outdoor learning
using the amphitheatre when appropriate."
The new Park Mains High was designed and
constructed in partnership with Renfrewshire Council, Holmes Miller
and BAM Construction Ltd.
Construction work began early in 2011 and the
school opened on schedule in August 2012.
Renfrewshire Council Leader Mark Macmillan, and Councillor
Jacqueline Henry, Convener of the council's Education Policy Board,
visited the school which opened at the start of term.
The new school was built adjoining the original Park Mains High
which opened in 1974. The school has 1372 pupils and serves
the communities of Erskine, Bishopton, and surrounding areas
including Inchinnan and Langbank.
A three storey main building defined by a strong brickwork grid
is joined by a two storey management and administration building
clad in Rheinzink cladding.
The school's innovative design and construction approach
features maximum use of natural light to offer a bright, open
environment for teaching and learning.
In addition to hi-tech classrooms, and wi-fi access, there are
new learning opportunities through breakout areas adjoining
classrooms which can be used for a variety of learning
techniques.
Sustainability has been given prominence as shown by the
BREEAM environmental certification scheme and an Energy Performance
Certificate of B+.
Integrating educational, sporting, cultural and community
facilities has also been a key aim. Renfrewshire Leisure
manages the school's sports facilities for community and club use
in the evenings and at weekends. In addition to a synthetic
pitch, there's a four court games hall, gymnasium and dance
studio. The multi-use assembly hall has a main stage which has
been designed to accommodate local community drama and theatre.
The new Park Mains High was designed and constructed in
partnership with Renfrewshire Council, Holmes Miller and BAM
Construction Ltd.
Construction work began early in 2011 and the school opened on
schedule in August 2012.