A LANDMARK anniversary in Scottish education will be marked with a new stained glass window at a Gourock school.

Talented pupils at St Columba's High have been working with artist Alec Galloway to celebrate the 1918 Education Act.

The landmark legislation stipulated that Catholic schools were to be funded by the state.

Stephen Neeson, principal teacher of religious education, said: "It is the 100th anniversary of the partnership between church and state, the 1918 Education Act.

"It seemed an appropriate to do something for the anniversary."

Senior pupils took part in a workshop with Alec and his partner Louise Wylie, based on their own ideas.

Monica Durning, principal teacher of art and design, said: "Our brief was education, learning and community and what it meant to be pupils at St Columba's High School using symbols and words."

Rebecca Gordon, 16, said: "I came up with the story of the journey of St Columba landing on Iona at the bottom and at the top the design of church and school combined."

Alec took all the ideas away and returned with a sketch including the bay where St Columba landed, and a series of five doves - representing faith, hope peace, charity and love.

Alec said he was 'very impressed' with the young people's ideas and enthusiasm.

He said: "The ideas were great.

"We developed a lot of the sketches from classroom brainstorming and threw all their ideas together."

Pupils will get the chance to work with Alec in his studio to help create the window, which should be installed in August in time for the new term.

Mr Neeson said: "We also hope to gave lighting inside the frame so when people are walking up towards the school the window will be lit up."

Bishop John Keenan will visit the school later in the year to dedicate the window.