More details have been revealed on plans for a new multi-million pound secondary school in Renfrewshire.

A planning application has been submitted to Renfrewshire Council for the new Park Mains High School in Erskine.

The £33million school forms a key part of Renfrewshire Council's Building Better Communities programme which will see a £92million investment in education, leisure and community facilities across Renfrewshire.

The school will be built on the site of the existing Park Mains High which has a current school roll of 1,350 pupils. Pupils attend not only from Erskine but also the surrounding villages of Bishopton, Inchinnan and Langbank.

Construction work is set to begin early in 2011 with the school expected to open in August 2012.

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A three storey main building defined by a strong brickwork grid is joined by a two storey management and administration building clad in Terne coated stainless steel.

The innovative design features a teaching space arranged across 3 levels and a range of enhanced PE facilities. Those include a four court games hall, gymnasium, and dance studio and fitness suite with associated changing areas.

A multi-use assembly hall has a main stage and tiered stadium style seating which has been designed to accommodate local community activities including drama and theatre.

A central atrium, flooded with natural light, can be used as a dining and social area. This would open on to an outside seating area and playground terraces.

A series of 'break out' spaces outside classrooms will help provide different types of learning environments. There is also scope for more flexible use of classroom space.

A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: "The completion of the design stage and the formal submission of the planning application mark an important milestone in the development of the new Park Mains High school.

"The application is currently being considered by planning officials and is likely to be decided on by the council's Planning and Economic Policy Development Policy Board in the next couple of months."

(GK)