The construction team at Heron Brothers Ltd has recently identified very difficult ground conditions which require an unconventional method for installing the building foundations. This involves a complex piling and platform solution.

The extra time taken to develop this solution and the consequent extension to the construction period mean that the completion date has had to be put back. Under the revised construction programme, the school will now open after the holiday week in October 2016, rather than in the summer as originally planned.

Terry Lanagan, executive director of educational services at West Dunbartonshire Council, said: “While it is disappointing that we will not be able to open the school in August 2016 as planned, I hope that parents will understand the reasons for the delay.

“This is going to be a fantastic new building for generations of young people and so it is essential for us to lay the appropriate foundations. We would like to apologise to the affected pupils and parents, and give a commitment that we will work very hard to ensure that the revised target date for the opening of the new school is met.

“I can also reassure them that we will develop a careful plan for moving pupils from the old building to the new facilities, to ensure that any disruption to the care and education of the young people involved is minimised.”