Superschool for 21st century
State- oftheart facilities for pupils
Every inch of Scotland’s biggest school has been designed with attention to detail – with even a special toilet layout to prevent bullying.
Gender neutral loo cubicles opening on to corridors are part of efforts to help make kids feel safe at Cumnock’s Barony Campus.
The 2,500 pupil school also boasts a rare temperature – controlled exam hall – so children don’t overheat during stressful tests.
A classroom with a trampoline floor so kids can let off steam and a 540- seater auditorium are just two of dozens of cutting edge features.
Pupils from Auchinleck and Cumnock Academies and the secondary Supported Learning Centre moved in last week to the newly- built campus.
So far the merger of the historic rivals is working well according to staff.
East Ayrshire Council planning and resource manager, Alistair Kidd, said: “There is no hiding the fact that the two communities have had issues.
“But they are coming together brilliantly.
“The kids have been superb and really well behaved. It has really brought the community back together again.”
Head of campus, Peter Gilchrist, said: “It is absolutely wonderful – the young people have already engaged.”
In the first week secondary pupils have compared the hi- tech building to a university and have been rushing to bag cosy chairs and sofas dotted around the place.
Old fashioned noticeboards have been replaced with digital screens displaying information around the school.
The primary, nursery and special needs children will start at the school on November 18.
There are two rare immersive cinemas where screens span over a number of walls for children with additional support needs.
One of the cinemas surrounds a relaxing hydrotherapy pool – which it is understood can help children stay calm for three days after a session.
The area for Hillside School pupils also has a colourful sensory classroom and a sunken trampoline.
The Ayrshire Post was given a tour of the whole of the sprawling Campus after the school day finished.
Mr Kidd said: “Modern school design is all about flexibility and making use of every space. There is lots of break- out space.”
He pointed out there are a variety of toilets including male, female and unisex, which sparked a lot of discussion during consultation.
To limit bullying behind closed doors there are toilets, which are not in confined blocks like many older schools.
Instead loo cubicles are located in an open plan area with sinks outside – in clear view of corridors.
Mr Kidd said: “There are male, female and gender neutral toilets.
“Children have a choice. Some kids want privacy but others worry about going to the toilet because of bullying.”
Teachers can also keep an eye on pupils more easily as there are sweeping views of large parts of the building from overlooking offices.
Kids of all ages will share the same dining area at staggered times for lunch.
Council education programme manager, Aileen Hollywood, said: “It is all about offering a dining experience rather than just feeding pupils.”
Ms Hollywood also mentioned there are different types furniture in classes to give variety.
She said: “Gone are the days when everyone sits in the classroom in rows of desks.”
Overall head of the super- sized school, Mr Gilchrist, added: is a superb opportunity to bring together young people from extended area of East Ayrshire with an ethos of inclusion and achievement for all irrespective of age, background or ability.
“What has been inspiring is the young people have made new friends, built relationships and took advantage of the huge opportunities they have in terms of their superb learning environment.
“The vision is to make sure we bring together the whole community.”
As well as the Robert Burns secondary school, the campus will be home to Barshare and Greenmill primaries. They will both be called Lochnorris Primary School.
The two nurseries will become the Cherry Trees Early Childhood Centre. Additional support needs school Hillside will also be based on the site as well as the Barony Supported Learning Centre.
Young sports fans have plenty to keep them busy including two full sized, flood- lit synthetic pitches of world- class rugby standard, a 400m four- lane running track and two full sized grass pitches.
There is also a 7- a- side floodlit synthetic pitch and an outdoor basketball court. Indoors there are 13 courts, including a dance studio. The school facilities will also be available for the public to use. The building work carried out by Morrison Construction was finished on October 9.
It was only three months late despite the pandemic.
Modern school design is all about flexibility and making use of every space. There is lots of break- out space Alistair Kidd
