South Ayrshire Council News

As part of South Ayrshire Council’s Fundamental Review of their School Estate information and opinions gathered by Officers at workshops, meetings with members of the local communities and Parents’ Councils are being used to make sure there is a bright future for Colmonell and Pinwherry Primary Schools.

During a consultation period that lasted several months Officers and Councillors listened to the comments, questions and written submissions from interested parties and have used the information gathered to assist them in planning for future education provision for Colmonell and Pinwherry Primary School areas. All the comments have been placed on the Council’s website for the public to view.

Members of the Council’s Leadership Panel have considered all the information and recommendations from Officers undertaking the Fundamental Review of the School Estate. After considering all the options it was decided that:

• A new Colmonell Primary School will be built on the site of the existing school at an estimated cost of £1.5 million pounds. This follows a previous decision that as the life of the school building has expired pupils and staff will be decanted to temporary accommodation in Colmonell village from August 2008 and the present school building will be demolished in the summer of 2008. Officers will bring a report to a future Leadership Panel on funding options available for this project.
• A technical assessment exercise will be undertaken in respect of Pinwherry Primary School and the building will be included in the Council’s Asset Management Plan.
• A consultation process will be undertaken with parents and employees of the school on a move to a branch management arrangement that would involve the appointment of a single Head Teacher to take responsibility for both Colmonell and Pinwherry Primary Schools.

Councillor Hywel Davies, the Council’s Portfolio Carrier for Learning and Prosperity said: “It was made very clear to the Officers and Councillors that the local communities had a strong desire to retain both primary schools and that is what will happen. With a new Colmonell Primary School to be built and Pinwherry Primary to be included in the Council’s Asset Management Plan, the future is looking very bright for the pupils and employees at both schools.