A BARRHEAD primary school could be replaced if a plea for funding from the Scottish Government is successful.

East Renfrewshire Council has applied for cash to rebuild Cross Arthurlie Primary, as well as replacing Carolside Primary, in Clarkston.

The cost of building a new school to replace Cross Arthurlie Primary is estimated to be £34million, while the Carolside Primary project has been priced at £54m.

Both new schools would also have all-weather outdoor sports facilities.

Council chiefs have said Carolside Primary is being prioritised for investment in the application process as it is in the “worst condition.”

They have also warned it is by no means certain the Scottish Government will agree to provide funding for either project.

Council leader Owen O’Donnell said: “We can’t get too carried away with ourselves. This is a bid for these schools and we need to be successful in those bids.”

The bids are being submitted after councillors agreed to request funding, up to 50% of the total costs, from a learning estate improvement programme.

Costings have been based on a 2026 completion date.

Under the scheme, councils are “required to fund upfront the delivery of the new or refurbished assets through capital investment, with up to 50% of the capital cost being returned via revenue funding.”

If the funding bids are approved, the council would borrow the money needed for its contribution towards the new schools.

A council report added that the schools are two of four identified as “most in need of refurbishment or replacing.” The others are Mearns Castle High and Woodfarm High.

It stated: “Carolside and Cross Arthurlie are currently the primary school buildings with the highest priority where their suitability and condition are in need of investment.

“Options appraisals have also considered the impact on children currently attending each school and, where possible, options have been developed where children can continue to learn in the school or have to be educated in temporary decant facilities on site.

“Given the demands for sufficiency of places on East Renfrewshire’s schools, there are no options to decant to an alternative school whilst building works take place.”

Officials believe new school buildings would “bring significant advantages to both communities.”

Councillor Annette Ireland said: “I welcome the focus on Carolside. I know it’s been on the list of ones that really needed work.

“It’s just a wonderful local school, it’s got a fantastic headteacher, they work absolutely tirelessly to ensure pupils have a wonderful learning experience there.”

Councillor Kate Campbell said a replacement for Carolside Primary is “long overdue."

She added: “Carolside was the school my daughter was at, so I’m very aware of all the workings of it and what a great staff there is at Carolside. It’s a delight that this is going to hopefully go ahead.”

The learning estate improvement programme previously helped the council progress plans for a new leisure and learning campus in Neilston, with construction now underway.

The latest bids will be reviewed by the Scottish Government, Scottish Futures Trust, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) and council representative groups.

Scottish Ministers will make the final decision on each bid, with council chiefs expected to be informed of this by the end of the year.