Scottish Catholic Observer

Work is to begin this week on what is believed to be the first joint Catholic and Jewish school in the world.

A new state Catholic school and nursery is to be built on a joint campus with a relocated Newlands Calderwood Lodge Primary and nursery.

The £18.2 million school, set to open for the 2017-2018 term, will have separate entrances and classroom wings but will share some areas including a playground, sports facilities and a shared central space revolving around an amphitheatre.

Maria McBride, headteacher at the local St Cadoc’s Primary School, which is to be refurbished, told the Evening Times she was ‘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,” she added.

Mhairi Shaw, East Renfrewshire director of education, said the joint campus proposal 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,” Ms Shaw. “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.”

Scotland currently has a number of joint campuses for Catholic and non-demonational schools, but the new school—to be located on Waterfoot Road opposite Mearns Castle High School—will be the first between two different faiths in Scotland.

Fr Thomas Boyle (above), assistant general secretary at Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, previously told the SCO the school was the only example he knew of a shared Catholic and Jewish campus anywhere in the world.

“It is… important that the great World Religions are seen to co-exist, to demonstrate to the world that a proper understanding of the one true God does not lead to violence and division but to mutual respect and co-operation,” Fr Boyle said.

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