WORK has started on the £15 million transformation of the former Gourock High School building.

It is the latest stage in Inverclyde Council’s £228 million Schools Estate Strategy and will become the new home of St Columba’s High.

From left, Eilish Mcarthur (13), Councillor Loughran, Nathan Fitzharris (11), Councillor Jim Clocherty, Drew McNeill (12) and Molly Doherty (13)

Convener of Education and Lifelong Learning Councillor Terry Loughran said: "This is a great day for Inverclyde and for Gourock as we mark another milestone in our ambitious plan to transform education. This will genuinely be a ‘new’ school when the work is completed, containing all of the features you would expect in a modern, 21st century secondary school. The facilities really will be superb and I am sure everyone – pupils, staff and parents – are hugely excited at the prospect."

Building work will include an additional floor to the main building and a completely new wing. Visitors will enter an ‘atrium’ including both lift and stair access leading to the school’s reception desk on the first floor. Architects on the project worked closely with pupils at the school on various aspects of the design including the layout of the playground and social areas and the location of the dining area.

The school will boast a gym, games hall, fitness suite and a 3G ‘all-weather’ sports pitch. There will also be a multi-use games area and all facilities will be available for community use outwith school hours.

Councillor Loughran added: "Like all of our new schools this will be an important community facility. Through the design process we consulted widely with local people as they will be using it on a regular basis. Now they will start to see the new school taking shape. The development has given us the opportunity to include generous parking for both staff and visitors and includes disabled drop-off points. It is anticipated the new school will generate no increase in traffic – indeed there may well be a reduction as pupils will be encouraged to use coach services provided for those who qualify for school transport."

St Columba’s High School will move from their current temporary home at the former Greenock High School when the work is completed in summer 2013.