On Wednesday, March 11, 2009 we reported that...

Whether you were in favour of them or not, Clydebank’s new Public Private Partnership schools are opening their doors in August, and this week the Clydebank Post was given sneak preview inside.

St Peter Apostle High — a merger of St Columba’s and St Andrew’s — and Clydebank High — which now incorporates defunct Braidfield — sparked massive opposition due to the controversial source of funding and amalgamation issues.

But with the protests over, and the schools near completion, the architectural beauty of the buildings, which strikes you immediately upon entering, may yet win over any remaining opposers.

The St Peter the Apostle building is entered through a circular block that will house the offices of the head teacher and other senior staff.

Coming out of that section, visitors will immediately be struck by a large egg-shaped structure that will become the school’s oratory.

The huge curved design with its impressive high ceiling stretches up an entire floor

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The build at Clydebank High is further on than St Peter the Apostle, and many of the science, sports and business suites are completed.

The gyms and sports halls are waiting to be fitted with their sprung wooden floors and have already been painted blue.

A friendly, bright assembly hall has also been built, complete with a stage for putting on shows.

A modern twist has also been added to the traditional school canteen set-up with the creation of an outdoor seating area for summer months. The facilities are a far cry from the school days remembered by many on the tour.

The new classrooms do not have blackboards, and instead kids will take notes from whiteboards written on with marker pens, and computerised interactive boards.

An open plan washing area in front of the toilet cubicles — which had been asked for by pupils — did not sit comfortably with Provost Denis Agnew as well as councillors Marie McNair and Martin Rooney. With no door between the washroom and the corridor, they had some reservations about privacy, due to girls and boys sections being beside each other.

But education chiefs assured them it had been what pupils requested and councillor Jonathon McColl agreed, saying it would stop toilets being used as unseen space for bullying. The schools will be officially opened for the new term in August.