The development of a fantastic new Ayr Academy in the heart of a vibrant and dynamic learning campus at Craigie Estate has been formally approved by South Ayrshire Council – giving the green light for the multi-million pound project to proceed.

The great news comes after extensive public consultation on the new school, which closely examined the importance of a new Ayr Academy in the town and the implications for pupils, parents, staff and local communities.

Ayr Academy's current building on Fort Street is no longer considered adequate to deliver the quality education pupils need to succeed in the 21^st century

Following the initial consultation exercises which included pupils, parents and school staff, designers have been working to identify the best site for the new campus within the Craigie Estate – and to produce concept drawings, including road and infrastructure improvements, which will shortly be made available for further public consideration.

Feedback and ideas from the sessions included; keeping the school name; possibly moving the war memorial to the new school; improved outdoor playing facilities and having a multi-use sports area.

The new campus will be delivered in partnership with Hub South West (a public/private initiative set up to deliver major public sector projects), the Scottish Futures Trust and South Ayrshire Council.

Welcoming the decision, Councillor Margaret Toner, Portfolio Holder for Lifelong Learning said: "These are exciting times for Ayr Academy and the future education for its pupils.

"At the heart of the inspirational learning campus is an outstanding learning environment which will offer state-of-the-art facilities for our young people and the wider community

Parents who live in the Craigie area will also have a choice either to send their child to the new Ayr Academy learning campus, or to Belmont Academy.

Councillor Toner continued: "Locating Ayr Academy in the heart of the learning campus will help develop stronger links with the new Ayrshire College and the University of the West of Scotland, offering young people a wide range of educational paths to help them succeed in life, work and higher education.

"It really is an incredibly exciting project and will allow Ayr Academy to build on its heritage, by continuing to deliver a fantastic education to new generations of young people now – and well into the foreseeable future."

Published: 21 February 2014 13:00

http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/news/relocation-of-ayr-academy-approved-by-council.aspx