THE wraps were taken off the new �44 million Port Glasgow shared campus to allow councillors and head teachers a sneak peek.

Work is now well under way on the campus, one of the most ambitious education projects currently under construction anywhere in Scotland.

Senior councillors and teachers were given the chance to visit the site and see for themselves how the exciting new-look schools are coming along.

The new campus, thought to be one of the biggest in the country, will be home to Port Glasgow and St Stephen's High Schools, as well as a new additional support needs school - Craigmarloch - which will replace Glenburn and Lilybank schools.

Each of the secondaries will retain their individual entrances, allowing each school to retain their own identity and ethos.

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

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

Inverclyde Council leader Stephen McCabe was one of those invited to the specially arranged tour of the construction site.

Councillor McCabe said: "The work is coming along really well at the new campus.

"As the schools start to take shape, it's incredible to see the scale of the work involved in creating this new campus.

"Even at this stage you can see everything starting to come together.

"Our schools programme is ambitious right across Inverclyde and is set to serve us well for many years to come. This shared campus will be a fabulous resource for our children and young people."

Port Glasgow High School and St Stephen's High School are currently housed in the St Stephen's High School campus which has been modified to accommodate them.

The new shared campus is due to open in August 2013.