Educational Services a PROPOSAL
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Educational Services A PROPOSAL DOCUMENT Proposed Relocation of Ayr Grammar Primary School and Establishment of Early Learning and Childcare Provision The following school is affected by this proposal document; Ayr Grammar Primary School, Midton Road, Ayr April 2016 This document has been issued by South Ayrshire Council’s Leadership Panel for consultation under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 1 1.0 Purpose of the Paper 1.1 This proposal paper is being published in accordance with the requirements of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010. The proposals contained in this document seek to re-locate Ayr Grammar Primary School from its current location at Midton Road, Ayr to the Ayr Academy building in Fort Street, Ayr and establish Early Learning and Childcare (ELCC) provision at the same location. 2.0 The Proposal The proposals are: 2.1 to relocate Ayr Grammar Primary School to the Ayr Academy building in Fort Street, Ayr once the staff and young people move to the new Ayr Academy at the Craigie Estate and the existing building has been modernised. The modernisation of the Ayr Academy building in Fort Street, Ayr is expected to begin in the autumn of 2017 and should be completed by the Autumn of 2019. 2.2 to establish ELCC provision within the same building. It is anticipated that the new provision will be available from the start of the 2019/20 school session. 3.0 Background 3.1 Following the introduction of School Estate Management Plan (SEMP) in 2003, Ayr Grammar Primary School was given a “D” rating for suitability using the then Scottish Executive’s guidelines. This rating means that the building does not support the delivery of services to children and communities. 3.2 In 2004 different sites were considered for a new Ayr Grammar Primary School under the Public Private Partnership programme. The preferred site identified was an area within the Old Racecourse, Ayr. Following a period of statutory consultation the site was refused planning consent as it was deemed contrary to the Council’s Local Plan. An independent review of possible sites was undertaken by consultants Donaldsons LLP in 2006. The outcome of the review identified Belmont Avenue, Ayr and the former Seafield Hospital site as potential sites for a new school although they highlighted significant challenges with each of the sites. 3.3 In 2008 a working group was formed consisting of officers from the Council, Elected Members, the parent body and the community to look again for a site for a new school. As with the Donaldsons review, the group identified the former Seafield Hospital site as the best site for a new school. Seafield House is a key aspect of the former Seafield Hospital building and following a design analysis it was decided that Seafield House could not be incorporated into the designs for a new school and therefore the building would need to be demolished to make way for a new school building. Seafield House is a listed building and there was support in the community for the building to be retained. The site was therefore no longer considered viable for a school. 3.4 As it was not possible to identify a site for a new school the development of any future options for Ayr Grammar Primary School needed to be considered within the wider context of the school estate in Ayr. 2 3.5 In 2011, the Council was successful in its bid to the Scottish Government to have a new Ayr Academy included in Phase 2 of the Schools for the Future programme. The new school project is now at an advanced stage and is being built within the Craigie Estate, Ayr. Building work is already underway and the new school is due for completion in the summer of 2017. 3.6 The Council has been exploring alternative uses for the existing Ayr Academy building at Fort Street, Ayr once the staff and young people move to the new school. The options included creating an archive and arts/culture centre or a primary school with ELCC provision and space for community arts. The preferred option that emerged from discussions with Elected Members was for a primary school with ELCC provision and community arts facilities. Design consultants analysed the accommodation within the existing building and developed design sketches to show how the building could be transformed. The transformation includes indoor and outdoor spaces for children and the community to enjoy. The sketches were presented informally to the Ayr Grammar Primary School Parent Council at the beginning of December 2015. The feedback was very positive and the Parent Council were supportive of the idea. The sketches can be viewed on the Council’s website at www.south- ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/future-needs. 4.0 Education in South Ayrshire Council 4.1 Education provision within South Ayrshire is currently delivered through 8 secondary schools, 41 primary schools, 2 special schools and integrated specialist provision at a number of schools for children and young people with additional support needs. ELCC provision is delivered through 5 nursery schools, 32 nursery classes and a number of partnership centres. 4.2 South Ayrshire Council’s vision document ‘Securing the Future for South Ayrshire’ confirms the commitment of the Council to provide a positive learning environment that motivates children and young people. Improving the school estate is central to this commitment. The quality of learning and teaching in South Ayrshire is very good and has been highlighted in many school inspections carried out by Education Scotland. In its Assurance and Improvement Plan for 2013-16, Audit Scotland commented that “The Education service performs well and displays a high level of engagement with national initiatives. Almost all primary school children are attaining expected levels and young people at S4, S5 and S6 perform strongly in SQA examinations”. 4.3 Since the publication of the first SEMP in 2003 the Council has brought about significant improvements to the school estate. The Public Private Partnership (PPP) schools at Belmont Academy, Prestwick Academy, Alloway Primary, Barassie Primary, Monkton Primary and the new Annexe at Kyle Academy raised the standard of the school estate providing new opportunities for staff to enhance the educational experiences of our children and young people. The community facilities have been improved with the provision of Lifelong Learning rooms and state of the art sports facilities, including all-weather pitches at Belmont Academy and Prestwick Academy. In addition to the successful PPP projects, the Council has built new schools in Colmonell and Kirkmichael and completely modernised Barrhill Primary School, Braehead Primary School, Dalmilling Primary School, Forehill Primary School, Kincaidston Primary School, Muirhead Primary School, Maidens Primary School, St Cuthbert’s 3 Primary School and Symington Primary School. A new extension to Heathfield Primary School was completed in 2011 and new all-weather sports facilities are now available in the Troon area as part of the Marr College modernisation project. This strategic planning approach to investment in the school estate is continuing with the planned modernisation and extension of Marr College, the delivery of a new Ayr Academy, a new school in Dailly, a new community campus in Tarbolton and a new Invergarven School in Girvan for children and young people with complex additional support needs. 5.0 Details of Existing Provision 5.1 Provision at Ayr Grammar Primary School 5.1.1 Ayr Grammar Primary School was built in 1865 and is a two storey traditional sandstone building with a pitched slated roof. A two-classroom extension was added in 2001 to ensure that the school could meet the lower class sizes targets. The school is a category C listed building and is located in the centre of Ayr. The location of the school and its catchment area are shown in Appendix 1. The site is at the junction of two busy roads and parking is very limited. At peak times the area around the school is extremely congested. 5.1.2 The school building is presently rated D for suitability meaning that it does not support the delivery of services to children and communities. A single central staircase provides the only means of access to the upper floors which has six classrooms, an ICT room, storage and staff accommodation. A number of fire upgrade works have been undertaken, however, limitations on available space for further fire upgrading work make it difficult to fully comply with the Health and Safety at Work legislation. The upper floors are not wheelchair accessible as there is no lift in the school. The PE/Dining facilities are inadequate and there is a lack general-purpose rooms, staff accommodation and storage facilities. There are no soft play areas within the grounds of the school and playground space is limited. The presumption to mainstream education for children with additional support needs and the Equalities Act also place new demands on school buildings and these demands cannot be met within the existing Ayr Grammar Primary School. There is no ELCC provision at Ayr Grammar Primary School 5.1.3 The condition of the school is much better and has been given a B rating indicating that it is performing adequately but showing minor defects and/or not operating adequately. Although the school is under review, the Council has continued to provide investment to improve the condition of the building with roof works and many classroom windows being replaced. All rooms have been refreshed. 5.1.4 Ayr Grammar Primary is a very popular school mainly due to its central location. Despite the challenges of the building the quality of learning and teaching is very good.