Secondary school expansion set to meet growing demand

Fresh calculations have suggested that a secondary school in Erskine will be large enough to meet growing demand in the year's ahead once it is expanded.

- JACK THOMSON, LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER

New projections – produced as part of a partnership between Renfrewshire Council and Edge Analytics - indicate an extended Park Mains High School will be able to handle an expected surge in pupil numbers.

Previous estimates said the school roll at the Barrhill Road facility could exceed an adjusted capacity of 2,000 by 2032/33, however, the latest figures show a 'high' scenario peak in 2033/34 at 1,941.

This information comes before a bid for planning permission for the expansion is due to go before the planning and climate change policy board next week.

A report, which will be considered at a meeting of the education and children's services policy board today, explained: "The most recent pupil forecasts show even with the high scenario, the 15-year peak is showing below the 2,000 future school capacity.

"In 2024, as part of the previous pupil projection forecasts published, it showed a scenario of Park Mains potentially reaching 2,169 pupils in the academic year 2033/34.