St Paul’s state of the art campus handed over ahead of new school year

Staff at St Paul’s Primary School and Foxlea Early Learning and Childcare Centre in Foxbar were given a sneak preview of their new shared £8.5 million shared campus this week.

The facility will open to pupils and children in the new school year in August and staff were invited on a tour to familiarise themselves with the new school site.

It was designed by Renfrewshire Council’s Property Services team following two years of engagement with the school communities and provides learning environments fit for modern and flexible teaching.

St Paul’s will house 212 pupils, while an integrated communication unit has space for a further 24 at the shared campus, which was handed over by contractors Morrison Construction to Renfrewshire Council this week.

The Early Learning and Childcare Centre has capacity for 80 pre-five children while an adult learning and literacy centre can house up to 10 students.

Staff and children had a say on the the new campus colour scheme, choosing the red and grey school colours for  the social and reception areas and pale greens and grey in the learning spaces to provide a calm environment. They also had input in furniture choices and outdoor facilities including play equipment.

Head teacher of St Paul’s, Louise Maher said: “It’s fantastic to come on a tour with staff and see the finished building ahead of welcoming children and pupils back in August.

“We are especially excited about seeing all our ideas become a reality as well as looking forward to the next chapter of school life in our wonderful new space. We can’t wait to move in.”

The campus features outdoor learning spaces, including a canopied area designed for use by smaller groups of pupils to carry out a range of activities such as science experiments.

All formal learning spaces link directly to covered outdoor spaces, which, in turn, connect to outdoor play areas.

There is an all-weather sports surface and a forest area where children can create ‘mud kitchens’ and allotments.

The building is on one level and has access to the pitch from the gym, as well as a bike and scooter rack to encourage children to ride to school, with the art work designed by one of the pupils.

The playground has graphics and games painted into the ground surface and as well as a gym, a centrally located studio provides space for dance and movement classes.

Renfrewshire Council’s Education Convener, Councillor Jim Paterson, said: “We are investing in a number of new build schools that also invest in our children and teachers.

“We are committed to ensuring our children and young people have the best learning environments so they can achieve their full potential and St Paul’s shared campus is a great demonstration of this.

“It’s a campus fit for the 21st century, with classrooms which are internet ready and will accommodate the use of modern teaching aids.

“With outdoor learning an instrumental part of the school curriculum, pupils also have access to external spaces which allow them to engage with the world around them.”

Morrison Construction’s Managing Director for Central Scotland, Eddie Robertson, said: ‘‘What better way to celebrate handing over the keys to this fantastic school than to welcome staff with a tour of the high-quality education facilities we have delivered.

“We are proud of the lasting benefit this project will provide the community, which positively impacted on the local economy by supporting 14 work placements, five apprenticeships completions and creating seven new jobs during construction.’