Design Features
In designing the new school, the opportunity was taken to address some of the problems of the old school, especially the way in which the building functions. 
The key aims were to provide:
- good natural light;
- a division of the school into infant, junior and senior wings with associated breakout spaces;
- a split level design to suit the sloping site;
- the use of non-classroom areas, specifically the gym and dining room as community facilities outwith school hours;
- adult sized shower facilities to allow multi-use of facilities.
The sloping site afforded opportunities for large areas of general storage and this was augmented by a storage wall in each classroom, which combines teachers' resources with the whiteboard and a projection screen.
The basement (street) level, houses the offices and staff areas. The classrooms are located at ground and first storey levels. Through discussion with the Council's architect, it was agreed that to provide flexibility and spill-out space for active lessons and for children who need space or quiet zones, classrooms would have an open door policy and would be placed in groups of 4 which open on to a shared octagonal central flexible space. This has been found to work very well.
Ground floor classrooms have high ceilings (around 3m) which gives a feeling of spaciousness. The upper floor is able to exploit the site slope, and has even higher ceiling heights due to the pitched roof. The spaces appear 'lofty', airy and bright.
To encourage expansion of the classroom to the external playground, many classrooms have direct access to outdoors. The layout has the SEN unit located centrally between the other classrooms and close to the dining, computer and library facilities to encourage integration between pupils from all parts of the school and across age groups.
Other features include a fully glazed upper floor dining room which doubles as a drama and dance studio with panoramic views out over the Clyde Valley and a full working stage with scenery, storage facilities, lighting rig, access lift and changing rooms. 
The need to address security issues was part of the brief, especially to minimise the risk of vandalism. This has been done in a way that does not compromise the design.
Choice of Site
On the site of the old school playground. The woodland area to the rear of the school was preserved in its entirety and is a real asset for the school.
The design evolved as a response to the sloping site topography and restricted space available adjacent to the existing school. This led to a split level solution with the main teaching spaces linking directly to the upper external play areas with staff, community and nursery accommodation located in the lower 'basement' level.
Materials
Consideration of life cycle maintenance for 60 years was incorporated into the design and use of materials. Materials used for the building include:
- External Walls: Brick and block construction, finishes in feature areas with self coloured render for ease of maintenance or timber effect laminated panels to add warmth and interest to the elevation whilst also
conforming to insurance standards for fire and again reducing the need for maintenance; - Internal walls: stud partitions in some areas and block in areas that receive more traffic;
- Floor coverings: mix of linoleum, safety vinyl and carpet in offices;
- Mill finished, built up aluminium roofing system;
- Self coloured render to provide a bright portal to the main school entrance;
- The colour scheme was developed to be sensitive for autistic pupils.