A NEW shared schools campus in Erskine is set to be completed almost two months ahead of schedule.

It means hundreds of pupils at St John Bosco Primary and Bargarran Primary will be able to move into their new state-of-the-art buildings sooner than expected.

Parents have been informed of the early move, which is expected to take place between April 16 and 18 and will also involve children from St John Bosco’s early learning and childcare class.

The schools are expected to be closed over that three-day period to minimise disruption.

Councillor Jim Paterson, Renfrewshire’s education and children’s services convener, said: “It’s great news that the building is ready ahead of schedule and we have already informed parents.

“The new shared building provides the best possible learning environment for pupils and children and allows them to reach their full potential.

“The three-day closure period will allow staff to set up before the return of pupils.”

Work on the £16million shared campus, which started in January 2017, will see mirrored wings for the two schools over two levels, with flexible spaces to support independent learning.

On the ground floor, all classrooms will lead out into a courtyard with canopied areas for outside learning, while upstairs classes will have access to a balcony area.

Toilets and cloakroom facilities link to the outside and the shared dining hall will double up as an ‘after school’ area.

The new base also includes an all-weather sports pitch, as well as a feature ‘green roof’ where seeds from native species will be planted.

There will even be video links to classrooms to allow pupils to view wildlife in real time.

Early delivery of the new building from main contractors Heron Bros means that demolition of the existing schools can take place more quickly, with work expected to be complete by October this year, instead of December.