Build a new and purpose built school for Ayr Grammar

In 2001, before any of the children at the Grammar were even born, all schools in Scotland were surveyed in the lead up to the introduction of the Curriculum for Excellence. Schools were considered for both Condition, and Suitability.

Ayr Grammar was defined as:-

Condition B - Performing adequately but showing minor deterioration.

Suitability D - Bad. Does not support the delivery of services to children and communities.

Since this assessment, the condition has, to some extent been addressed, although not entirely. Some 12 years on however, Ayr Grammar is still defined as Suitability D.

Indeed, it is the only school in South Ayrshire with this grading.

Why is this?

In 2003, South Ayrshire Council placed Ayr Grammar at the top of a list of priority schools requiring either significant refurbishment, or, in the case of the Grammar, relocating to a new site with a complete rebuild. A search took place to find a suitable site, and you may remember The Old Racecourse was proposed. This was a controversial choice, and was subsequently rejected by the Council in 2005. A further consultation took place between the Council, parents and the wider community to find an alternative which was acceptable to all.

In 2009, it was proposed to relocate the Grammar to the old Seafield Hospital site. This proved to be as problematic as the previous proposal since not only was the site owned by Ayrshire and Arran Health board, but, more importantly, the old hospital building was “B listed”.

In January 2012, Historic Scotland refused permission to have the old building demolished, effectively ending any possibility of the site being suitable to relocate the Grammar.

Where are we now?

Effectively, nothing has changed since that initial assessment, over a decade ago. The Grammar is still defined as “unfit for delivery of services to children and the community”. South Ayrshire Council have moved on with other schools, investing huge sums of money in rebuilding and refurbishing them. Meanwhile your children remain in a school which will never be able to fully deliver the type of education seen in more modern schools, despite the great work of the Grammar staff.

What do we want to happen?

We believe that South Ayrshire Council have shied away from addressing the most difficult issue in education in this county. The only sites suitable for relocating the school are politically controversial. We believe South Ayrshire Council needs to start an open and honest debate about the future of Ayr Grammar, and if necessary, make some difficult decisions. Its high time the Grammar children were taught in a brand new school building, fit for the curriculum in the 21st Century.

What can you do?

The Parent Council have created a petition to request South Ayrshire Council reopens the debate on Ayr Grammar.