Plans for a new £22m Barrhead High School are continuing to progress with the appointment of the company who will design the new premises.

Earlier this week, East Renfrewshire Council announced that Building Design Partnership (BDP) has been awarded the contract to design the school. Discussions with pupils, staff and others into the design of the school is now expected to begin, while the contractor to carry out the building work will be chosen over the next few weeks.

The consultation groups will look at the views of pupils at Barrhead High's associated primary schools and the high school itself, plus teachers, other school staff and parents over the next few weeks. These will continue into the new school session as part of the design development process and are in addition to the official public consultation that will also take place.

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Convener for Education and Equalities, Councillor Elaine Green, said: "A new-build replacement for Barrhead High is one of the top investment priorities for East Renfrewshire Council.

"Barrhead is a town benefiting from ongoing regeneration and this £22m secondary is key to that.

"It will provide a first-class learning and teaching environment and will be an excellent facility for the wider community.

"I look forward to hearing everyone's views and ideas for their new school."

East Renfrewshire Council is investing £11.5m in replacing Barrhead High School, with the remainder of the funding coming from the Scotland's Schools for the Future fund.

Success in the bid for funding support was announced late last year.

Work will start on site next year with the new school opening for the 2015/16 session.

(JP/CD)