Construction of a joint Catholic-Jewish primary school campus is under way in Scotland. Dani Garavelli talks to those involved about the impact of this radical idea and how it will work

On a patch of land opposite Mearns Castle High School in East Renfrewshire, a mechanical digger is scooping up soil in preparation for building. Such construction work is not unusual in this leafy Glasgow suburb where housing estates have sprung up to accommodate aspiring families attracted by the amenities and excellent schools. But here it heralds something more interesting: by next summer, this site will be transformed into a joint Catholic-Jewish school campus.

In August 2017, the £13.6 million facility will receive its first intake of primary school pupils; though they will enter by separate doors – the names of their schools clearly marked above them – they will share a playground, library, gym and office space.

There will be separate kosher catering and dining facilities for the Jewish pupils and technology will be used to project religious imagery on to the walls of neutral spaces during the celebration of rites or festivals. But all pupils will come together for theatrical shows and presentations.