Education, schools and adult learning

Dear parent or carer,

You may be aware schools across the UK, including a number in Renfrewshire, received a threatening email earlier today.

Police Scotland have now confirmed they have assessed these messages and are treating them as a hoax. They say they have established there is nothing to suggest they represent a threat to the public.

Their advice is there is no need to evacuate schools or keep children away from schools based on those emails and we have advised our head teachers of that position.

I would like to reassure you the safety of our children, young people and staff is always our top priority.

You can read the full statement from Police Scotland on their website.

Thank you for your understanding

Janie O’Neill

Director of Children’s Services

Renfrewshire Council

Last updated: 11 November 2026 at 11.05am

Dear parents and carers

You may be aware of an incident at Our Lady of Peace Primary at lunchtime today. I am writing to update you, and to reassure you all pupils are safe and well.

We can confirm the school received a malicious phone call. Police were called and as a precaution, all children were kept outside the school while the premises was thoroughly inspected. Police have now confirmed there is no danger to the school.

I would like to reassure you pupil safety is always our top priority.

Lesleyanne Dick

Head teacher

Last updated: 3pm on Friday 6 November 2026.

Thistle Early Learning and Childcare Class (ELCC) is a new Renfrewshire Council nursery being built as part of the development of Thistle Primary School. 

The school and nursery are currently under construction.

The headteacher is David Rigmand.

This nursery is for children aged 3 to 5.

Placements available

Term time placement

Placements are available 6 hours a day, 5 days a week during term time.

Blended placement

Blended placements are 1140 hours in total, split between 2 settings - for example, between a nursery and childminder.

To contact the link education manager, email education@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

Activities available

Sports activities with OneRen

You can see what disability sports sessions are available (OneRen website).

To find out more, contact Chris Cleary, Active Schools Community Club Development Officer, by:

• phone: 07985751815

Music activities with Brick Lane Music Academy

Brick Lane Music Academy provides: 

• out of school holiday respite for families in Renfrewshire with disabilities
• support for families 0-3
• a range of activities in Brick Lane and St Anthony's Johnstone
• ASN activities for children of primary age
• band workshop for young people between 11 to 17 years
• term time music activities.

Term time music activities take place on:

• Saturday - Musical Tots ASN, for ages 0 to 4
• Saturday - ASN music session, for ages 5 to 11
• Saturday - ASN music session, for ages 5 to 11 
• Saturday 3pm to 3:30pm - ASN music session, for ages 11 to 17
• Wednesday - ASN after school music, for all school ages. 

Contact information for Bricklane Music Academy:

• address: 7-9 Weir Street, Paisley, PA3 4DW
• phone: 0141 328 6983
• email: info@bricklanemusicacademy.co.uk 
• website: https://bricklanepaisley.co.uk/brick-lane-music-academy/ 

Marvellous Minds

Marvellous Minds sessions are for parents and carers of neurodivergent children age 0 to 12 years. Diagnosis not necessary and workshops are free to attend.

There are 8 weeks of informative and engaging workshops in a warm, welcoming, and inclusive space, which aims to nurture neurodiversity through exploring:

• emotional regulation
• sensory processing
• self-care
• play the schema way
• social communication.

Contact information for Marvellous Minds:

• address: Foxbar Community Centre, Amochrie Road, Paisley, PA2 0LB
• email: Abi and Suzy, marvellousminds@earlytearsscotland.org. 

Early Years Scotland

Early Years Scotland provides 24 programmes with free access for parents and children aged 0 to 5 in Ferguslie, Foxbar, Gallowhill and surrounding areas, within local community centres.

Capacity is 12 to 15 families for a range of activities.

Contact information for Early Years Scotland:

• address: Early Years Scotland Tannahill Centre, 76 Blackstone Road, Paisley, PA3 1NT
• email: gary.lindsay@earlyyearsscotland.org
• phone: Nicola Flinn for info on all programmes on 07538582139.

Pachedu and School of African Cultures Nkwado Support

Support for families in diverse ethnic communities with with neurodiversity needs, offering:

• family support workshops and volunteer training
• one on one counselling
• peer support groups
• cultural awareness events
• resource development
• social and recreative activities.

Contact information for Pachedu and School of African Cultures Nkwado Support:

• address: 76 Blackstone Street, Paisley, PA3 1NT.
• email: Chinedu Achunine chinedu.achunine@pachedu.org, or Anita Nalumansi anita.nalumansi@pachedu.org

Renfrewshire Out of School Care Network (ROSCN)

For families of:

• children who are neurodivergent who require support either pre or post diagnosis
• children 0 to 8 years old requiring parenting support and or support for distressed behaviours
• children with disabilities who require support either pre or post diagnosis.

Activities:

• Saturday club: for 48 children per day, in 3 sessions of 16 children per 2-hour session
• OOSC: for 16 children per day for 5 days
• Spring and summer play scheme for children and young people who have ASN, who have fewer complex needs
• holiday clubs and after school clubs.

Contact information for Renfrewshire Out of School Care Network (ROSCN):

• address: Flexi-care Studio, 3006 Mile End Mill, Abbeymill Business Centre, 12 Seedhill Road, Paisley, PA1 1JS
• email: Lesley Compston, lesleycompston@klascare.com

Youth Interventions

Operating on a Tuesday and Thursday, Youth Interventions (YI) provide a Family Wellbeing Project working collaboratively with RHSCP, Renfrewshire Autism Services and partners bringing additionality to existing services for:

• families of and children and young people 9 years old and over, with a neurodevelopmental disorder both pre or post diagnosis
• families of and children age 11 to 16 displaying distressed or risk-taking behaviour
• respite: children and youth activity groups after school, and Saturday group with youth workers to engage in activities such as art, craft, dance, music
• family support group: weekly group where families and carers can get together, share their experiences, and enjoy various activities, experience positive parenting behavioural change techniques
• specialist and practical one to one support for children, young people and families with practitioners who have a robust understanding of context, age, and stage, neurodivergence (the lead is neurodivergent as well as professionally trained) and the impact this can have on lives as well as the complex social.

Contact information for Youth Interventions (YI):

• address: The YI Children YP and Family Wellbeing Centre, Mossedge Village, 145 Brediland Road, Linwood, PA3 3RX
• email: Louise Dempsey, louise@youthinterventions.org.uk

Home-Start Renfrewshire and Inverclyde

Home-Start Renfrewshire and Inverclyde provide:

• befriending support
• neurodivergent family group - contact service for details
• Skills for Life Development Courses - childcare included by trained childcare professionals from KLAS Care
• Mellow Bumps - an 8-week antenatal programme supporting parents-to-be. The aim to decrease stress of expectant parents, helping them to build a relationship with their baby pre-birth
• Blank Canvas - for women with mild-to-moderate perinatal-mental ill health. An 8-week course to encourage reflection and mindfulness, reducing anxiety and low mood
• Being a Parent to Autistic Children - in partnership with KLAS Care. A 10-week group supporting parenting, family resilience, and coping
• Baby and Child First Aid - a 3-hour session delivered in a relaxed style, giving parents confidence to know what actions to take if faced with a medical emergency.

Contact information for Home-Start Renfrewshire and Inverclyde:

• address: St James House, 25 St James Street, Paisley, PA3 2HQ.
• email: Director Lisa Carberry, lisa@hsri.org.uk 
• phone: Lead Coordinator Ashley Greenwood, 0141 889 5272 or 07921 679506.

Empowering Parents Empowering Communities (EPEC)

This parenting group has a dedicated course for autism, which runs for 10 weeks, and a mainstream course which runs for 8 weeks. 

The course is aimed at children age 3 and over.

This course is supported by community members that have completed the courses and the training to provide an excellent experience that will impact both your and your families life.

The course is for 2 hours a week for about 8 to 10 weeks. You're recommended to attend 80% to get the full benefits from the groups.

In connection with ASN Respite support and KLAS Care's nurture programme, you may be entitled to free access to other services delivered by KLAS Care. This includes Respite support while attending this course. You'll be given more information on this during the course.

All EPEC courses are free to attend and have a free creche if you need it for children that are not attending school yet.

For more information, phone Lesley on 01505331931 or 07584061742.

KLAS Care nurture programme

KLAS Care provide a 10-week support programme that is delivered in or out of school time.

This programme is designed to connect with children age 5 and older that are in need of help to self regulate. It also helps them have one-to-one time with a nurture practitioner that can teach coping strategies to help the child:

• find who they are
• and how they can make positive choices in their lives that will enhance their mental and social health and wellbeing.

This programme is designed to run alongside EPEC. Parents are strongly advised to sign up for an EPEC course (this may not be at the same time) to help find a common goal and a shared vision with the whole family's wellbeing.  

All schools within Renfrewshire will be considered but the school, parents and child must agree to this programme.

For more information, phone Lesley on 01505331931 or 07584061742. Or make a request to the Family wellbeing service.

KLAS Care All Inclusive Family Play and Learning

KLAS Care All Inclusive Family Play and Learning provide:

• whole family support programme
• trained childcare practitioners and support to children and families with neurodivergent young people and crisis intervention
• before school and after school care in various venues within Renfrewshire
• holiday respite for neurodivergent and ASN young people
• Saturday club (pending) - for ASN and neurodivergent young people
• support for parents and carers in EPEC.

Contact information for KLAS Care All Inclusive Family Play and Learning:

• address: East Fulton Primary School, KLAS Care C.I.C, The Old Janitors Cottage, Gilmartin Road, Linwood, PA3 3SG.
• email: Lesley Compton, lesleycompston@klascare.com 
• phone: 01505 331931 or 07584061742.

ASN Respite support every Saturday

ASN Respite support is available every Saturday to all children of age 5 and older with or without a diagnosis.

The support is based at:

Klas Care Well-Being Hub
Hallhill Road
Johnstone
PA5 0SD

You can book sessions online.

There are many options for you to book. All sessions can be booked back to back or you can stick to the allocated slot.

If you live in Renfrewshire you may be entitled to free spaces, terms and conditions apply.

If your child is 4 years old and you are interested in this service, contact Lesley directly by:

• phone 01505 331 831 or 07584 061 742. 

More information

You can find more information about activities available for children and young people with ASN and their families through the ASN groups and clubs Renfrewshire Facebook group.

There are a range of different activities in Renfrewshire for children and young people with additional support needs. 

You can see a list of activities, events, and sessions below to find what might work best for your child.

Williamsburgh Early Learning and Childcare Class (ELCC) is a Renfrewshire Council nursery.

The headteacher is Vhairi Cochrane.

This nursery is for children aged 3 to 5.

Placements available

Term time placement

Placements are available 6 hours a day, 5 days a week during term time.

Morning or afternoon placement

Morning or afternoon placements are available 5 hours a day between 8am and 6pm, for up to 48 weeks in the year.

Extended day placement

Extended day placement is available up to 10 hours a day between 8am and 6pm, for up to 48 weeks in the year.

Blended placement

Blended placements can be 1140 hours in total, split between 2 settings - for example, between a nursery and childminder.

To contact the link education manager, email education@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

West Johnstone Early Learning and Childcare Centre (ELCC) is a Renfrewshire Council nursery.

The headteacher is Elaine Stevenson.

This nursery is for children from birth to age 5.

Placements available

Term time placement

Placements are available 6 hours a day, 5 days a week during term time.

Morning or afternoon placement

Morning or afternoon placements are available 5 hours a day between 8am and 6pm, for up to 48 weeks in the year.

Extended day placement

Extended day placement is available up to 10 hours a day between 8am and 6pm, for up to 48 weeks in the year.

Blended placement

Blended placements can be 1140 hours in total, split between 2 settings - for example, between a nursery and childminder.

To contact the link education manager, email education@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

West Early Learning and Childcare Class (ELCC) is a Renfrewshire Council nursery.

The headteacher is Lynne McGinn.

This nursery is for children aged 3 to 5.

Placements available

Term time placement

Placements are available 6 hours a day, 5 days a week during term time.

Blended placement

Blended placements can be 1140 hours in total, split between 2 settings - for example, between a nursery and childminder.

To contact the link education manager, email education@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

Wallace Early Learning and Childcare Class (ELCC) is a Renfrewshire Council nursery.

The headteacher is Jennifer Walker.

This nursery is for children aged 3 to 5.

Placements available

Term time placement

Placements are available 6 hours a day, 5 days a week during term time.

Blended placement

Blended placements can be 1140 hours in total, split between 2 settings - for example, between a nursery and childminder.

To contact the link education manager, email education@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

Todholm Early Learning and Childcare Class (ELCC) is a Renfrewshire Council nursery.

The headteacher is Aileen Cochrane.

This nursery is for children aged 3 to 5.

Placements available

Term time placement

Placements are available 6 hours a day, 5 days a week during term time.

Blended placement

Blended placements can be 1140 hours in total, split between 2 settings - for example, between a nursery and childminder.

To contact the link education manager, email education@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

St Peter's Early Learning and Childcare Class (ELCC) is a Renfrewshire Council nursery.

The acting Headteacher is Calum Healy. 

This nursery is for children aged 2 to 5.

Placements available

Term time placement

Placements are available 6 hours a day, 5 days a week during term time.

Blended placement

Blended placements can be 1140 hours in total, split between 2 settings - for example, between a nursery and childminder.

To contact the link education manager, email education@renfrewshire.gov.uk.