Seven primary schools and two secondaries in South Ayrshire have been described as being in a ‘poor condition' – that's according to a new report.
The report, the School Estate Statistics 2022, reveals that South Ayrshire has the highest number of ‘poor condition’ schools in the region.
According to the report, East Ayrshire has just the one primary school (St Sophia’s, Galston), which is reported to be in a poor condition. North Ayrshire has no schools in that category.
The report grades the condition of each school around the country as being either A (good), B (satisfactory) or C (poor).
The following South Ayrshire schools are in the C category: Cairn (Maybole), Gardenrose (Maybole), Straiton (Maybole), Minishant (Minishant), and Crosshill (Crosshill, Maybole). Glenburn and St Ninian’s (Prestwick), which have both since been replaced by a new campus, were also included.
Two secondary schools – Ayr’s Kyle Academy and Maybole’s Carrick Academy – are also described as being in a ‘poor’ condition.
But South Ayrshire Council said the figures mask positive work being carried out to transform educational opportunities at local level.
A council spokesperson said: “The seven primary schools rated as being in a poor condition include two schools which have now been replaced following the opening of the new Prestwick North education campus in August 2022, as well as another two primary schools which will also be replaced, following the opening of the new Maybole community campus in August 2023.
“The remaining three primary schools are smaller and, as a result, have reduced pupil numbers.
“However, these schools will be reviewed with appropriate action taken to improve their condition where necessary.”
There are positives from the report, too.
Fifteen primary and five secondary schools are in the A category while 19 primaries and one other secondary are listed in the B category.
A local authority spokesperson said: “The council’s schools which have been rated as being in good condition reflects the massive investment that has been made in improving facilities and replacing schools in recent years, including major capital projects such as the completion of the award-winning Ayr Grammar Primary School and the replacement of Queen Margaret Academy in Ayr.
"Exciting new developments, which will influence future ratings, include this year’s completion of the Prestwick North education campus and the opening of the new Sacred Heart Primary School in Girvan, along with construction of the Maybole community campus, which is the largest education project that South Ayrshire Council has undertaken to date.”
SNP MSP for Ayr, Siobhian Brown, added: “It is very encouraging to see that children of all ages in South Ayrshire are able to learn in schools that are in either good or satisfactory condition.”
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