School is one of world's most 'amazing' campuses

Park Mains High School came 19th out of 30 in a poll for American website Best Education Degrees, which provides information for education professionals.

The Erskine secondary appeared alongside schools in France, Florida, Austria, England and Portugal.

It was built by BAM Construction, designed by Glasgow-based Holmes Miller and was heralded as a blueprint for the construction of future Scottish schools.

Doug Keillor, regional director of the construction company, said: "Park Mains represented a real change in the educational sector and set the benchmark of the design and delivery of new community based schools in Scotland which have been successful.

"To be placed on a world scale is a great testament to everyone involved in the project and in particular Renfrewshire Council to have the foresight to create something that bit different."

The 1400-student school takes pupils from Erksine, Bishopton, Inchinnan and Langbank.

It was completed in 2012 and built in three sections.

They provide a multi-use assembly hall, a four-court games hall, gym, dance studio and fitness suite, dining and social break-out areas, as well as flexible classroom accommodation and storage.

A feature of Park Mains is a central atrium where the dining and social areas are located overlooking a courtyard.

Jacqueline Henry, convener of Renfrewshire Council's education policy board, said: "For the school to be recognised in this way is a tremendous boost.

"The innovative design supports new ways of learning and provides a stimulating environment for staff and pupils.

"Just as important are the school's links with the wider community.

"Those already strong links have certainly developed further as people enjoy access to the outstanding facilities.

"From day one, the school community has made the most of the new approach and continues to find ways to make the most of the outstanding opportunities offered by the new facility."

vivienne.nicoll@eveningtimes.co.uk