A SENIOR Scottish Government minister has given the flagship Port Glasgow shared campus project a glowing report card.

Education secretary Mike Russell MSP yesterday visited the temporary campus home of St Stephen's High and Port High, whose new �44m home is currently being built nearby.

Mr Russell and his ministerial colleague Roseanna Cunningham met staff and pupils during a fact-finding visit which took place on the same day it was confirmed that construction of the permanent campus is progressing well.

Councillor Terry Loughran, who chairs Inverclyde's education committee, said Mr Russell and Ms Cunningham had been impressed by what they had seen.

Mr Loughran said: "It was a pleasure to meet the cabinet secretary and minister and for them to see for themselves how well the two schools are integrating on the temporary site ahead of their big move next year.

"This current arrangement is a dress rehearsal for the new shared campus - ensuring that both schools retain their individual identities while sharing facilities." Both schools are currently housed in the St Stephen's High School campus, which has been modified to accommodate them.

Eight temporary classrooms and a new entrance, reception and administration area for Port Glasgow High have been installed.

Meanwhile, work is well under way on the �44 million complex at nearby Slaemuir, which is set to become a centre of excellence for education and leisure in Port Glasgow.

The former Port High building has been demolished and foundation works are almost complete, with the steel frame for the sports block and the concrete frame for the main school currently going up.

As well as Port High and St Stephen's, the new complex will also be home to a new Additional Support Needs School - named Craigmarloch - replacing Glenburn and Lilybank schools.

The secondary schools will have their own distinct entrances allowing their individual identities and ethos to be retained.

Each school will have its own foyer area leading to its own teaching spaces but the foyers will have direct access to a shared 'agora' or social hub of the campus.

This will also connect with Craigmarloch School and provide access to all shared facilities, including an art, science and technology block, sports block and a shared drama and performing arts area linked to the assembly hall.

Councillor Martin Brennan, vice convener of the education committee, said: "Both the cabinet secretary and minister were hugely impressed with how well the two schools have come together on the one site.

"A great deal of work has been carried out behind the scenes by pupils, staff and the wider community and its success is clear to see."