By Monica Gibson

AFTER three million hours of work and £30 million, the brand new Barrhead High School will welcome pupils for the first time tomorrow.

It has taken 45,000 meters of wire, 8,000 bricks and an unknown quantity of blood, sweat and tears but the state-of-the-art school is now complete.

A total of 2,200 members of staff were involved in the building of Barrhead High, which was part of the Scottish Futures Trust programme.

It was delivered in partnership with hub West Scotland, East Renfrewshire Council’s development partner, and replaces the previous building, which had been in use for 46 years.

It has been built on a site next to the old school in Aurs Road.

The new facilities are part of a wider multi-million pound investment in the council’s schools estate to improve services for young residents.

As well as having their choice of 70 loos and 2,000 plug points to use, pupils will now enjoy modern teaching spaces, an impressive library, science labs and performance and sports spaces.

Headteacher Andy Sinclair told the Barrhead News he is bursting with pride ahead of the school’s new chapter.

He said: “It is fantastic for all the pupils and staff to be starting in our new school tomorrow. We have watched it grow over the past year and it has been exciting to see each stage of progress.

“Everyone is now eager to get into this fabulous new building and get started. The design of the building has created quality learning spaces which will help all of our pupils to achieve their best. The learning process will be greatly enhanced by these superb new facilities.”

To make the first day as smooth as possible, Mr Sinclair has invited senior pupils to the school.

He said: “To help familiarise some pupils with the new build before that and then be in a position to help others, we are inviting any S5 and S6 pupils who are available, to visit the new building on Wednesday at 4pm.

“They will be given an induction to the new school and have an opportunity to see round ahead of the Thursday rush.”

Councillor Paul O’Kane, convener for Education and Equalities, added: “The new Barrhead High is wonderful and gives the pupils a school to be proud of.

“I’m sure it will support our staff to continue providing all our pupils with excellent, well-rounded experiences which in turn will improve attainment levels across the board.

“We are committed to delivering the very best education for all our children and young people, so I am delighted to see these new facilities now open.”

Councillor Alan Lafferty, convener for Environment, said: “This significant investment in our school estate has delivered facilities which will provide for our young people for many years to come.

“The work of the design and project teams to deliver these projects to such a high standard is to be commended. All pupils, staff, parents and wider school communities will benefit hugely from these impressive facilities.”

Also completed over the summer holidays was a £9m extension and upgrade at Crookfur Primary and Nursery.