We have been waiting for some months now for a decision from the Court of Session which would have allowed the building of the new school to proceed as planned.

 The Court of Session ruling has now been published and is available on the Scottish Courts site. It has gone against East Renfrewshire Council. It appears to be a fairly technical decision about whether this use of land counts as a “disposal” or an “appropriation”. This judge has ruled the latter which the court then has no powers to authorise.

 What is not clear yet is what the implications of this are in terms of proceeding with the building of a new school for Barrhead.  This is a very complex issue and the council will need time to reflect and review the options. I am hoping to receive further information regarding this in the near future and will update you as soon as I can.

 Whatever the case, this has come as a major disappointment to the whole school community and, I am certain, much of the wider community as well. At the very least, we are faced with a further delay in seeing our young people being educated in the quality of facilities that they deserve.

 The council, however, remains undeterred in its determination to build a new Barrhead High School.

 In the meantime, we will all continue to work hard to further the improvements we have already achieved in Barrhead High School over the last few years and I am confident that East Renfrewshire Council will continue to work to achieve a positive result for us all.