Mainholm Academy will close at the end of June 2007 following a decision by members of South Ayrshire Council. From the beginning of the 2007/08 academic year currently decanted pupils will be permanently based at other schools.

In November 2006 the Council’s Policy and Resources Committee decided not to reinvest in the Mainholm Academy school buildings and to decant pupils and staff to other secondary schools in South Ayrshire.  It was agreed that a formal consultation on the future of the school would take place.

In January 2007 the Council’s Lifelong Learning Committee approved the formal consultation document on the proposed closure of Mainholm Academy.  Consultation then took place with individuals and bodies prescribed by The Education (Publication and Consultation Etc.) (Scotland) Regulations 1981 and the Amendment Regulations 1987, 1988, and 1989.  Namely parents of children affected by the proposals, the school board and church representatives.

During the consultation process Officers from the Council’s Education, Culture and Lifelong Learning (ECCL) department attended public meetings with parents, school boards and other interested parties.  A total of 19 responses were received by the Director of Education, Culture and Lifelong Learning.

The temporary decant arrangements will be permanent from the start of the new academic year and pupils will remain at the school they were decanted to.  In the future primary pupils will transfer to the following secondary schools after P7:

• Braehead Primary School to Belmont Academy
• Tarbolton Primary School to Belmont Academy
• Dalmilling Primary School to Ayr Academy
• Whitletts Primary School to Kyle Academy

From the start of session 2007/08 pupils who meet the qualifying crieteria under the Council’s School Tranpsort policy will be entitled to free school transport, eg live more than 3 miles safe walking distance from their new catchment secondary school.  However, those pupils who have already been transferred will receive free school transport for the next three years.

Due to the formal nature of the consultation, the Council’s decision will now be referred to Scottish Ministers for their consideration.

The Extended Support for Learning department will continue to be temporarily decanted to Queen Margaret Academy for another academy year.

Closing Mainholm Academy will result in annual revenue savings of £664,098 (part years saving of £511,236) including £100,000 for additional annual costs for transport.  The main savings will be in employee costs.  Any revision to staffing and management structures will be managed in accordance with the Council’s agreed policies and procedures.

Mainholm Academy will now be declared surplus to the ECLL department’s requirements.

April 2007