WORK on a joint Catholic and Jewish primary school campus is to begin this week.

It is the latest step in what is believed to be a world first, bringing two denominations together in what education bosses describe as a "bold and unique" move.

As previously told in the Evening Times, the £18.2m campus will replace the existing Jewish school, Calderwood Lodge, and host an additional primary for the Catholic community.

East Renfrewshire Director of Education Mhairi Shaw said: “East Renfrewshire is leading the way in providing top-quality, innovative services, shaped by the views of our residents and community partners. "Our proposal for a faith schools’ joint campus is bold and unique.

“From the initial idea we have been consulting with pupils, staff, parents, leaders of both faith communities and the local community and all have helped shaped the plans and designs for this unique schools’ campus.

"It will be very much welcomed by both communities who have approached the proposal with enthusiasm from the start.

“It will respect and nurture children’s individual religious faiths while at the same time delivering inspiring spaces for learning, teaching and social integration.

“Each school will have their own distinct areas but the hub proposal, with its radical design, offers a new and innovative approach to learning and teaching.”

The Newton Mearns campus will bring together two purpose-built denominational primary schools with provision for a nursery.

Both schools will have separate entrances, teaching wings and head teachers.

However, a shared central space will revolve around an amphitheatre, which is designed to be a flexible meeting place for children from both primaries that is neither an assembly hall or a classroom.

The school will include an innovative interactive space at the centre of the building with first-class ICT facilities, full wi-fi coverage and a range of small and larger group learning zones.

Maria McBride, Head Teacher at St Cadoc’s Primary School said: “I’m delighted that work is starting on this innovative and exciting joint faith schools’ campus and that our shared vision is becoming a reality.

"We have had a fantastic response from parents, pupils and the school community and are eager to see the new school take shape.”

The new campus is to be built on a site opposite Mearns Castle High and should open for its first pupils in August 2017.

There will be a nursery class to serve the area and the playground will be shared, as will other facilities, such as sport, art, science and music/drama.

Kosher catering and dining facilities will be provided for Calderwood Lodge.

Calderwood Lodge will close its doors at the end of the 2016/17 school year. Although owned and managed by East Renfrewshire Council, it is located in Newlands, Glasgow.

Most of the Jewish children live locally and there has long been a desire to have a school cited within the East Renfrewshire community.

East Renfrewshire pupils at Calderwood Lodge would continue to transfer to Mearns Castle, their current associated secondary school, and the new Catholic primary will be associated with St Ninian’s High.

Marion Carlton, Head Teacher at Calderwood Lodge Primary said: “It is a very exciting time for Calderwood Lodge.

"There is lots of enthusiasm about the joint faith schools’ campus from our whole school community, parents, pupils and staff and seeing the building work on the new school commence will add to that.”