The schools are undergoing a £1.6million revamp and there were several changes for the start of term.

Highdykes and Ladyton primary schools have merged and moved into the 232 pupil Lennox Primary – in the former St Ronan’s building – while St Ronan’s pupils moved into the upgraded old Ladyton school, now renamed St Ronan’s.

The council’s educational services convener, councillor Michelle McGinty, told the Reporter she was at the new St Ronan’s to see her niece and goddaughters start primary one and said the revamped buildings felt like ‘new schools’.

She said: “The atmosphere was so welcoming. You could feel the excitement in the air from teachers at what had been achieved, how much they liked it and how much they thought it was going to make a difference.

“They do have the feeling of a new school. It just shows what you can do with a building that is still sound for educational purposes, if you put your mind to it.” Meanwhile, St Kessog’s Primary pupils joined Haldane Primary temporarily while new Balloch education campus, costing an estimated £15.4million, is built at St Kessog’s.

The new campus will have new St Kessog’s Primary and another new school housing Haldane and Jamestown pupils and will also be home to a new Jamestown nursery.

The merger and relocation of the schools was approved by the West Dunbartonshire Council earlier this year following a lengthy consultation process.

The public consultation showed a majority of parents and pupils at the schools opposed the Bonhill merger and relocation but staff at Highdykes and St Ronan’s – and teaching union the Educational Institute for Scotland – backed the plans.

The estimated £1.6million cost of renovating St Ronan’s and Ladyton primaries will be covered by selling the Highdykes Primary site to developers.