Gleniffer High School to open on Wednesday 30 August

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Renfrewshire Council has announced that, due to unforeseen circumstances, the opening of the new Gleniffer High School in Foxbar, Paisley will be delayed by a week. However Renfrewshire Council would like to stress that all of the other PPP new-build schools, Todholm Primary, St Andrew’s Academy and St Benedict’s High School, due to open this term are on schedule to open to pupils on 25 August as planned.

The delay at Gleniffer High School is a result of delays in the work being carried out by Carillion Building. The main reasons for the delay in completing the required works are that the final finishing work on the main entrance, the playground and kitchen would not be completed by the target date. In these circumstances it was felt that it would not be possible to provide meaningful teaching and learning if the pupils were allowed access to the school prior to the completion of these areas. There will now be a phased return for pupils from Wednesday 30 August. All parents and pupils will be sent a letter this week giving details of the new arrangements for the start of session.

As previously agreed, senior pupils will still be able to attend the old Gleniffer High School building on Thursday 17 August to participate in their course choice interviews for next session. The in-service day for staff on Monday 21 August has been transferred to the Glynhill Hotel. During the remainder of next week staff will be allowed into parts of the new school which have been completed so that the SQA appeals process can be carried out and unpacking of school equipment can get underway. School office staff, the librarian and technicians have already moved into the completed areas of the new school. Teaching staff will be in the school on Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 August to ensure that everything is ready for the phased return of the pupils beginning on Wednesday 30 August.

Councillor Roy Glen, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Lifelong Learning and Work Policy Board, commented: “It is extremely regrettable that this situation has arisen. However, we wish to assure parents, staff and pupils that, since we were made aware of this situation, we have acted swiftly to ensure that every measure has been taken to ensure that as little time as possible has been lost and that steps will be taken to provide pupils with the option of additional teaching and supported study sessions. We are monitoring the progress daily and will continue to do so right up to the day the pupils start back.”

As soon as the council was informed by the contractors, urgent meetings were held to agree a contingency plan. These meetings involved representatives of the Council, Renfrewshire Schools Partnership, Carillion Building and the head teacher of Gleniffer High School.

Carillion Building have apologised for the inconvenience this delay has caused and has guaranteed the Council that there will be no further delay. In due course, senior pupils and their parents will be informed of additional tutorial and supported study sessions which will be arranged to redress the time lost at the start of the academic year.

Press Release: Wednesday 16 August 2006