Official opening for East Renfrewshire high school
The spectacular new Eastwood High School has been officially opened...
Article Source: East Renfrewshire Council
Last Updated: 31 October 2013 13:59
Eastwood is East Renfrewshire Council’s newest school and has been built at a cost of £29 million.
Convener for education and equalities, Councillor Elaine Green, unveiled a plaque to officially open the Newton Mearns school.
Special guest was Dr Alasdair Allan, minister for learning, sciences and Scotland’s languages.
The new school – which includes a separate sports centre and two all-weather sports tracks that are also for public use – is a groundbreaking Scottish first.
Eastwood was built under the pioneering Scottish Government-funded ‘schools for the future’ programme run by the Scottish Futures Trust.
It is one of the first in Scotland to be built under this programme, which is now being rolled out across the country.
It saw East Renfrewshire Council link with Midlothian in a unique £65m partnership arrangement to jointly deliver a new school for both authorities, with Lasswade home to the other school and community facilities.
By joining forces to share the same designer, contractor and suppliers, the councils have between them saved more than £4 million.
The council has invested £12 million in Eastwood High, which opened its doors to pupils in August. One of the two all-weather surfaces has been in use for a year, and work has just started on the second, due for completion around Christmas.
A second commemorative plaque was presented by convener for community services and community safety, Councillor Mary Montague to the school’s head boy and head girl, Mark Kyle and Bianca Deladia and Julia Walker from the council’s sports services. This will be put up in the new Eastwood High Sports Centre.
Convener for education and equalities, Councillor Elaine Green, said: “The stunning new £29 million Eastwood High School represents a major investment by East Renfrewshire Council, which is committed to delivering the very best education facilities.
“Eastwood, like all our schools, is providing a first-class learning experience for young people – just days before the new school opened its doors to pupils for the first time, they recorded their best ever exam results. Now have an inspiring environment to match.
“We are proud to have been, with Midlothian Council, the first local authority in Scotland to have taken part in this groundbreaking project. It has been such a success that we are using the same model for the new £24 million Barrhead High School.
“It was very exciting to see the new Eastwood High take shape and it is wonderful to be here again today to officially open our newest school.”
Dr Alasdair Allan said: “Credit is due to East Renfrewshire Council for their partnership working with Midlothian on jointly procuring these projects.
“I am very pleased to be able to attend the opening of the new Eastwood High School which will allow 1,220 pupils to enjoy the best quality school accommodation following an investment of £17.4 million from the Scottish Government.
“The new sports centre and two all-weather pitches will benefit not just the pupils, but the entire community, and like Lasswade, the school forms a key part of Scotland’s Schools for the Future.”
East Renfrewshire Council has adopted the same Scottish Futures Trust joint model for the building of the new Barrhead High School, this time working with West Dunbartonshire Council. Work has already commenced in earnest to design the new Barrhead High which is scheduled to open in school session starting August 2015.
Sponsored Links
Latest East Renfrewshire News
Garden Centre invites budding indoor gardeners to its stores
Dobbies Garden Centres is kicking off the new year on a green note, offering two free workshops at its Scottish stores this January.
READ MORE
East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure celebrates success of Health for Heroes Scheme at Christmas veterans breakfast
East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure invited veterans to a Health for Heroes festive breakfast at Barrhead Foundry to celebrate the success of the scheme in 2024.
READ MORE
Ticketmaster announces Breakthrough 2025 list
Ticketmaster has unveiled its much-anticipated Breakthrough 2025 list, highlighting the brightest up-and-coming stars set to shape the live music scene in 2025.
READ MORE
Blooming Fabulous! The Scottish Garden Festival arrives in 2025!
This family-friendly festival takes place in the spacious and scenic Hamilton Park Racecourse, offering a perfect setting for all ages to enjoy.
READ MORE
Biffy Clyro, Young Fathers & Callum Beattie among winners at inaugural Scottish Live Music Awards
The Scottish Live Music Awards (SLMA) celebrated the best of Scotland's vibrant live music scene on Thursday night during a prestigious ceremony at Glasgow's Classic Grand Ballroom.
READ MORE
Horse power will drive young people to success
An innovative programme which aims to harness the magic of horses to engage young people back into education is being offered to East Renfrewshire young people for the first time.
READ MORE
Dogstar Theatre brings Gideon Mack from page to stage
James Robertson's 2006 best-selling novel will be brought to life in early 2025 with a stage adaptation of The Testament of Gideon Mack from Dogstar Theatre Company.
READ MORE
Neilston resident named as East Renfrewshire Citizen of the Year 2024
A volunteer with unwavering dedication to the wellbeing, health and safety of residents across East Renfrewshire has been awarded the Provost Award for his exceptional contributions.
READ MORE
Iconic soft drink is hitting the road with the festive truck the nation has been waiting for
The battle of festive cola trucks has already kicked off between Lidl and Coke - but now the country's most iconic soft drink, IRN-BRU, has joined in!
READ MORE
itison founder calls for action to help children who will have nothing this winter
Founder of Scottish business, itison, Oli Norman, has spoken out about the 'devastating' level of poverty in Scotland this festive season.
READ MORE
Launch of new vision for East Renfrewshire
A bold new vision has been launched which sets out the shared hopes and aspirations for East Renfrewshire between now and 2040.
READ MORE
Splash into 2025 with New Year challenge to transform lives
A unique swimming challenge is inviting swimmers to set personal goals and raise funds for a life-changing hydrotherapy pool on behalf of leading disability charity, Capability Scotland.
READ MORE
Cold water reset retreats with Sophie Hellyer debut at Marine Troon
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts launches new series - 'Adventure weekends with Marine & Lawn'.
READ MORE
Council celebrates employees at annual awards
East Renfrewshire Council hosted its annual employee celebration event – the We Are East Ren Awards – to recognise hard-working employees going above and beyond for residents.
READ MORE
Enjoy the best of Belfast at Christmas with Stena Line
A beautiful city with a rich history and a giant adventure to be found around every corner, there is no shortage of incredible festive experiences to enjoy in Belfast.
READ MORE
Scottish artist Jasleen Kaur wins Turner Prize 2024
Jasleen Kaur, whose exhibition Alter Altar at Tramway uses a vintage Ford Escort, worship bells and Irn-Bru to celebrate the Scottish Sikh community, has won this year's Turner Prize.
READ MORE
TRNSMT reveals superstar first acts for Glasgow Green 2025
50 Cent, Biffy Clyro, Snow Patrol, The Script, Fontaines D.C. and Gracie Abrams are included among the much-anticipated first wave of artists announced for Scotland's biggest music event.
READ MORE
Loch Lomond Shores Christmas Festival is a Christmas cracker this year!
A family rollercoaster, giant snow globe, children's rides, stalls, street food and a packed live entertainment schedule makes Loch Lomond Shores FREE Christmas festival the perfect Christmas day out!
READ MORE
Brewer gives away free pints to celebrate mockumentary launch
Scottish brewer Innis & Gunn lifts the lid on the beer industry with a mockumentary starring real employees and comedians Paul Dockery and Katie McKenzie.
READ MORE
Writers celebrate Book Week Scotland at East Renfrewshire Libraries
East Renfrewshire libraries celebrated Book Week Scotland in style, welcoming children and adult writers along for a series of fun, interactive events.
READ MORE
Family festive fun at the National Museum of Rural Life
Celebrate the season with festive family fun at the National Museum of Rural Life this December.
READ MORE
Christmas tree season arrives at Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is marking the official start of the 2024 festive season with its delivery of 50,000 real Christmas trees, available at stores across the UK now.
READ MORE
Glasgow music festival The Reeling announces extended 2025 dates and performances from Dougie Maclean, Eddi Reader and Valtos
A popular trad music festival is set to return in 2025 – and it's adding an extra night due to demand!
READ MORE
Final date added as 30,000 expected at biggest itison Drive In Movies Christmas
itison Drive In Movies Christmas adds final date after unprecedented demand with tickets for Elf & Love Actually on sale on Wednesday 27th November at 7.30am.
READ MORE
Revolutionary swim teaching tool launches in Scotland
A pioneering visual teaching tool has launched across Scotland, making swimming lessons more accessible to everyone.
READ MORE
Festive favourites back on the big screen at Vue in Scotland
To mark the countdown to Christmas, some of the most loved holiday classics are being brought back to the big screen at Vue venues in Scotland this festive season.
READ MORE
Asda Foundation supports lonely over 60s this Christmas
Asda and Asda Foundation pledges almost £1 million to help combat loneliness and isolation in the older generation this festive period through its 'Don't be Gnome Alone this Christmas' campaign.
READ MORE
IKEA Christmas tree offer launching in Scotland this month
IKEA is giving shoppers a £20 voucher for every real tree purchased for £29 in its Scottish stores from 23rd November – with pre-orders available now.
READ MORE
Aldi Scotland is set to sell the cheapest real Christmas trees this festive season
Aldi Scotland announces the return of its freshly cut Nordmann Fir trees, with prices starting from just £13.99.
READ MORE
Scottish stars Skerryvore launch biggest show to date for 20th anniversary
Legendary Scottish band Skerryvore have today unveiled plans to stage a special one-off concert – their biggest to date – to mark their 20th anniversary.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links