Paul O'Kane 'delighted' to see new campus open in Neilston

West Scotland MSP Paul O’Kane closely advocated for new educational facilities in Neilston as a councillor from about 2016 and then drove the consultation for the shared campus and worked with parent councils and other relevant stakeholders as the local authority’s education convener from 2017 to 2021.

His long-held vision for a shared campus for Neilston Primary, St Thomas’ Primary and Madras Family Centre finally became a reality on Tuesday, March 19 as the facility opened its doors to pupils and staff.

As a former pupil of St Thomas’ the project was particularly close to his heart and the politician says he is “delighted” to see the campus completed and open.

Speaking last week ahead of the opening, the Labour MSP told the Barrhead News: “To stand here and say Neilston has just had both of its schools and nursery rebuilt to the highest standard in Scotland is a phenomenal investment and probably the biggest investment in the village in a generation or more.

“The people of Neilston are going to have this facility for all our children and young people, but also for the whole community and that is a huge moment, so I’m really pleased for the community and looking forward to seeing the school come alive.

“It was kind of a passion project for me as a local elected member and as somebody who went to St Thomas' primary. My mum also taught there for 40 years and all my pals went to Neilston.

“It's been great to drive all that and then stay involved when I became an MSP, checking how the project has been going, visiting the site and working with Heron Bros (who led the build) as well.”

Replacing outdated former buildings, the state-of-the-art facility brings the establishments together on one single site, whilst allowing each to retain their unique identities.

In practical terms, this means the schools and family centre retain their unique teaching spaces but now have shared facilities including a large sports hall, Digi-Zone, a dedicated space for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), an art room, a green screen video editing area, and drama and music space.

“I think in a village like Neilston wanting to share what can be shared and obviously respecting the tradition and identity of both schools was so important, so we kind of did that from the start and that's the journey we went on,” explained Mr O’Kane, who served as a councillor for Newton Mearns North and Neilston for ten years.

“They will always have their own head teachers, their own parent councils, their own identities and also the faith ethos is really important for St Thomas’, but it's also about saying we can share facilities that will be of benefit to all young people in the village - the great play spaces, the pitches, the PE facilities and dining hall.

“Young people can collaborate in those areas, but of course (it is) respecting those separate identities. It’s a really exciting prospect."

After weathering Covid, a milestone in the project was reached in June 2022 as construction finally began on ground within the site of Neilston Primary, which allowed its original building to continue operating during the build process.

With the schools and family centre now complete, work to demolish the former St Thomas’ and Neilston primaries and Madras Family Centre will soon get started.

The demolition of the former Neilston Primary will allow for an all-weather football pitch and multi-use games area to be created.

What will be built on the site of the St Thomas’ 60-year-old building following its demolition, however, still remains to be seen.

“The community of Neilston will also benefit because in the evenings and at the weekends the school will become available for them to use with things that the village didn’t have before like a big games hall, pitches, opportunities for drama, bleacher seating in the hall for having a meeting or doing a show,” The politician added.

“The benefit of all of that is huge, so it's going to be a real asset to the village as well.”