Countdown to £ 68m superschool handover
The countdown is now on for the official handover of Cumnock’s £ 68m superschool to the local authority.
East Ayrshire Council will receive the keys to Scotland’s biggest school, called The Barony Campus, in 30 days’ time, on Friday, October 9.
The school was due to open on August 20 but the coronavirus pandemic – and UK lockdown – delayed the completion of the build.
Billed as “Scotland’s most innovative, ambitious and inclusive learning facility,” the campus will be officially handed over by Morrison Construction to East Ayrshire Council next month.
And Monday, October 26 is the date set aside for the Robert Burns Academy to open to pupils, who previously attended Auchinleck and Cumnock Academies.
Pupils due to attend the secondary Supported Learning Centre will also attend their new school from Monday, October 26.
Alex McPhee, the Council’s Depute Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer, said: “A big thanks is due to Morrison Construction for the flexibility and commitment they’ve shown to deliver the Campus when we need it.
“We are now preparing for the move and our ambitious school building programme over the last few years means we have a brilliant team with a wealth of experience of transferring young people, staff and teaching resources into new schools.
“Although the whole Campus will be completed and handed over on Friday, October 9, we are adopting a phased approach with The Robert Burns Academy moving in first on Monday, October 26, followed by Lochnorris Primary School, Hillside School and Cherry Trees Early Childhood Centre on Wednesday, November 18.”
Linda McAulay Griffiths, Head of Education, added: “The opening of The Robert Burns Academy is just the first phase of a very complex move.
“All our plans have been approved by the Scottish Government, including the exceptional closure days that are necessary to ensure that the school is ready to welcome pupils on Monday, October 26.
“Arrangements are currently being made by the Head of Campus, Peter Gilchrist, for learning from home resources to be available to all pupils during the second week of the closure and extra support will be offered to pupils in the senior phase. A detailed programme will be issued soon including specific arrangements on timings for the first day, dining facilities, the new travel plan and transport arrangements.
“I understand this is an exciting but also an anxious time for parents, carers and pupils and we are here to provide support and ensure that the move to this incredible learning facility is a positive experience for everyone involved.”
This is the first phase of a very complex move