IT'S not the usual back-to-school kit.

As the young performers studying at the National Dance School of Scotland, in Knightswood Secondary, prepare to return to class, they're packing duvets and pointe shoes in with their pencils and notebooks.

And this year the would-be stage stars of the future are returning to an all-new residence, right on the doorstep of their high school.

The £4.5million new building replaces Dalrymple Hall, which had served the school for 13 years, and is built in the carpark of Knightswood Secondary.

Headteacher Kay Dingwall has been at Knightswood for four years. She said: "This new facility has been a long time in the planning and has taken a lot of hard work to come to fruition but we're really pleased with it and hope the young people will be too.

"For young people coming from further afield or from less affluent backgrounds this is their quality of access guaranteed."

Dalrymple Hall was owned by Glasgow University, which announced its intention to sell the building in 2010.

Knightswood was allowed to continue using the building on a rolling lease - but an alternative had to be found.

The new residence - or res, as the students call it - was a team effort between Glasgow City Council, City Property and City Building.

And Knightswood Secondary was also involved with three of its pupils working as trainees on the build before being taken on full time by City Building.

Furniture for the property was also made by Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries (RSBi).

Councillor Maureen Burke, chairwoman of City Building, said: "As well as an opportunity to showcase the skills and expertise of our workforce, we were able to utilise products manufactured at RSBi our supported factory, give work experience to Knightswood Secondary pupils and offer apprenticeships to local school leavers.”

Priority is given to those who live the furthest away or who have the furthest distance to travel.

But pupils who live in Glasgow and come from chaotic or vulnerable backgrounds are also given the chance to stay at the res, widening access and meaning the facilities are available to all.

For mum Sarah Greene, saying goodbye to her daughter Laura is a struggle - but she's comforted by the certainty that the dance school is the best place for her teenager to be.

Laura, from Jedburgh, came to the dance school in third year to try to achieve her dream of becoming an actress.

Mrs Greene said: "I don't know quite how to put it into words but it's difficult for me to have Sarah away from home, extremely difficult for me.

"I miss her terribly but there is no doubt in my mind that she is being well cared for and looked after here.

"She is very creative and this is a wonderful opportunity for her to learn new skills and really thrive.

"Her schoolwork has also improved as I think she gets the peace and quiet here that she needs to study."

Laura added: "I have loved every minute of it here and I want to learn as much as I possibly can and work really hard.

"Res is great because it prepares you for life. Actresses travel and live away from home so this is good preparation for the future."

The new res has 45 double rooms with en suite facilities, which pupils say will be far better than the Dalrymple days of shared bathrooms.

It has laundry facilities for pupil use, a shared social space and practice rooms as well as a dance studio.

Staff have worked hard to make the res as welcoming as possible - small, homely touches are dotted throughout the building, such a pillow on the sickroom bed that reads Dance Love Sing.

Mrs Dingwall added: "The practice rooms will make a huge difference. We used to have children practicing in cupboards at the back of classrooms.

"And we plan for the dance studio to be used by the whole school."

Mark Cameron Scott is going in to sixth year at the school, having joined the musical theatre course in his fifth year.

The 18-year-old said he's not sad to say goodbye to draughty Dalrymple Hall and is impressed by the new practice space the residence brings.

Mark, from Edinburgh, has been getting to know his new room mate over Facebook and is confident they're going to get on well.

He said: "The first couple of weeks are always the hardest as you settle in and try to get used to life away from home - I think all years feel that way.

"But you get used to it and you get really close to everyone and like a family as you're seeing them all day and then living with them at night.

"It's hard moving here at first but it's a brilliant opportunity."

In a year's time Kay will begin to focus on finding funding streams for the school and the res, such as holding summer schools.

Kay added: "My responsibility now is to make sure the high quality facilities stay that way and also make sure the res and the dance school are of benefit to as many young people as possible."

Councillor Stephen Curran, executive member for education and young people, said: "I know that they young people who will call the new halls of residence home over the next school term will reap the benefits of being on campus greatly."