The £15.1 million campus will transform the area, introducing a new Renton Primary School, a language and communication unit and a new riverside early learning and childcare centre.

When complete, pupils will enjoy additional spaces for playing outside in a new three-storey building, with classrooms linking to outdoor areas on each floor.

Two rooms on each level of the campus will be dedicated to pupils within the language and communications unit.

A new multi-use sports pitch and playground area will be built on the site of the current school, which will be demolished once the new building is complete.

Ahead of work beginning, West Dunbartonshire Council conducted extensive discussion with members of the community, including a number of engagements sessions so parents, carers and residents could give their feedback.

Councillor Karen Conaghan, convener of educational services, was joined by a group of school and nursery pupils on Monday to cut the first sod at the site.

They were also joined by Councillor Ian Dickson, vice convener of educational services; Councillor Iain McLaren, convener of infrastructure, regeneration and economic development;  and council leader Councillor Jonathan McColl, as well as representatives from Morgan Sindall, which is carrying out the construction on the council’s behalf.

Councillor Conaghan said: “I’m delighted to be here to mark work beginning on such an important project which I know will enhance the learning experience for so many of our young people. I’m so glad they could join us here today too.

“Our aim is to provide them with a new and stimulating space which truly supports the many different ways in which children and young people learn, and to enhance their educational experience so they leave our school with the skills they need to succeed in the future.”

Councillor Dickson added: “We have seen before that improved environment, alongside the dedication and passion of our teaching and support staff, can make a tangible difference in the attainment and achievement of pupils, and I’m sure that’s what we will see with the Renton Campus.”

The school, LCU and ELCC are due to be operational within the new building by the start of the academic session in August 2021.