Construction 'progressing at pace' on new Paisley Grammar

The job is “on budget”, the local authority has said, and remains scheduled to be finished by the summer – with many parts of the building “fully complete”.

That’s according to a learning estate programme update included in a report to the education and children’s services policy board this Thursday.

In addition to providing key information about the state of play of the project and associated infrastructure, it has also set out plans for “exceptional closure days” to aid preparation.

The paper, authored by the strategic learning estate manager, explained: “The project to deliver a new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus continues to deliver on time, and on budget, and is scheduled to complete by the summer of 2026.

“Construction is progressing at pace, with many areas in the building now fully complete including decoration and furniture fit out.

“Digital fit out has now also commenced with interactive teaching boards now implemented throughout the school and all ICT equipment progressing through the order and preparation stages.

“Work continues on the major construction of the new Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMIDS) South project that will deliver core travel infrastructure supporting the school including a new link road that connects Renfrew Road to Harbour Road, facilitating alternative travel routes for both active travel and vehicular access to the new school.

“Work also continues to complete the new underpass connecting Gallowhill to existing active travel routes by utilising a former railway underpass. This work is scheduled to be completed by spring 2026.

“The council’s roads department is also progressing a number of identified improvement works to the critical roads and footpath network in the vicinity of the new school.”

The report continued: “Recently, the Scottish Government approved exceptional closure days for Paisley Grammar School.

“A request was made to allow vital preparation by staff for moving to the new school at the end of this school year and for set-up time at the start of the new school year.

“This means that pupils attending Paisley Grammar School will finish two days earlier in June 2026 and open two days later at the start of the new term in August 2026.”

The school is set to be a modern energy-efficient building with two full-size sports pitches, outdoor learning and social spaces and a 300-seat theatre.

There will also be a fitness suite, dance studio, teaching kitchens, drama studio and music suites.

It is expected to support a range of ways to learn and teach, with open spaces for group work as well as traditional classrooms, and have facilities for use by the wider community outside of the school day.

The development is taking place on land next to the former Chivas administration building off Renfrew Road and will replace its namesake in Glasgow Road – a site which is proposed to be converted into flats.