Members of South Ayrshire Council’s Lifelong Learning Committee have received a full update on the preparations for the decant of Mainholm Academy pupils and staff for the 2006/07 academic year.

Pupils and staff from the school need to be decanted to other schools in Ayr in order that a full condition survey of the Mainholm Campus can be carried out.

Councillor Pam Paterson, the Convener of the Lifelong Learning Committee said:
“Officers from the Council’s Education, Culture and Lifelong Learning department, in conjunction with Mainholm Academy staff, have already carried out much of the planning for the decant. 

“Transferring all the students from one school is a very complex procedure and a number of issues still require to be addressed.  Informal consultation on the proposals has already   begun with Mainholm Academy pupils, parents, carers and staff and this will be an ongoing process.

“I am confident that the decanted students and staff will be made very welcome at their temporary schools, and will receive all the support they require.”

The Committee members have also approved the temporary suspension of the Council’s policy on the three mile limit for free travel policy for pupil transport for existing Mainholm Academy pupils.  This will only apply to the current Mainholm Academy pupils for the 2006/07 academic session during the period of the decant, so that pupils can be transported to their alternative school free of charge.  It is estimated that the pupil transport costs will be £120,000.

Minor adaptations will be necessary in Ayr, Belmont and Kyle Academies and there is a possibility that temporary hutted accommodation containing two classrooms will be required in Belmont Academy for the period of the decant.

All pupils who attend the Support for Learning Department at Mainholm Academy will be relocated to Queen Margaret Academy.  Adaptations to Queen Margaret Academy will be necessary to accommodate their special support needs.  A specialist team of staff, headed by the Principal Psychologist, will be formed to ensure a smooth transition for the pupils and staff in the Support for Learning Facility.

The Committee has decided to approach the Council’s Policy and Resources Committee for funding from the 2006/07 Schools Fund to be used for the required adaptations to schools where the Mainhollm Academy pupils will be placed. 

Mainholm Academy staff will be redeployed to other schools on a proportional basis, to reflect the number of pupils moving from Mainholm Academy to a particular school.  A number of  Mainholm Academy staff will remain in the school to make the necessary arrangements for the relocation of equipment and teaching materials to other Ayr schools.  Trade Unions representing all staff will continue to be consulted on all aspects of the deployment arrangements.

Schools accommodating the Mainholm students have agreed to consider a synchronised timetable change from Monday 12 June 2006. This arrangement will allow Mainholm pupils a short time at their new school before the end of term and reduce any potential anxiety across the summer period.

May 2006