John SWINNEY, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, officially opened the new Queen Margaret Academy in Ayr on Thursday, February 27.
Pupils, parents and teachers were among the VIP guests who came together to celebrate the official opening of the new Academy.
Construction of the £25million school began in November 2017. After two years of construction, pupils stepped foot into the new building in October 2019.
Mr Swinney said: “It was tremendous to join pupils, teachers and parents to open the new Queen Margaret Academy to celebrate the history and future of a school that has grown at the heart of its community for over 150 years.
“My thanks to South Ayrshire Council for its ongoing investment to build and refurbish schools, which we support through Scotland’s Schools for the Future and the £1 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme. The impressive new facilities Queen Margaret Academy boasts will serve pupils, teachers, and the surrounding community for years to come.”
The new Queen Margaret Academy boasts interactive learning environments, a gym and a host of other exciting facilities. Pupils, teachers and parents were heavily involved in the consultation process for the design of the new building, which can hold 800 pupils.
Councillor William Grant, South Ayrshire Council’s Portfolio Holder for Lifelong Learning, said: “The new Queen Margaret Academy signifies another chapter in the school’s future and gives us an opportunity to reflect on its history.
“The fantastic new facilities will enhance the strong sense of pride and belonging that staff and pupils, past and present, contribute to and enjoy.”
The school was built by Kier Construction and delivered by South Ayrshire Council in partnership with hub South West.
Lindsey Mitchell, Architect Director at BDP, said on the design of the new school: “This building is a product of the collaborative approach we take at BDP, to deliver educational spaces that help the school achieve their educational and societal aspirations. We are proud to have assisted South Ayrshire Council to develop this fantastic new school.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here