South Ayrshire Council News

A Fundamental Review of the School Estate in South Ayrshire Council schools has now focused on Special Schools, South Park and Craigpark, part of the Belmont Campus in Ayr, and Invergarven in Girvan.

Due to the unique nature of the educational needs of pupils within Special Schools Officers in the Council’s Area Learning Structures Project Group commissioned a paper on the present provision provided by the Head Teacher of South Park, the Principal Psychologist and other central staff with remits in additional support needs. The paper strongly supported the retention of the present configuration of the three Special Schools in South Ayrshire, a view supported by the Area Learning Structures Project Group. It was suggested in the paper that the existing management arrangements in the Belmont Campus should be reconsidered.

During the school academic year 2006/07 a pilot project took place where the Head Teacher of Invergarven School assumed additional responsibility for South Park School. The geographical distance between the two schools, 22 miles, proved to be a barrier to efficient management of the schools, so a Head Teacher or Acting Head Teacher was appointed in each school. However, during the pilot project it became apparent that there was a substantial reduction in staff effort in producing curricular materials and in developing school policies in the respective schools.

Members of the Council’s Leadership Panel have approved a move to a joint management arrangements that would involve the creation of a post of Head of Campus, who will have overall responsibility for South Park and Craigpark Schools. In addition two Principal Teachers could be appointed at South Park School and one at Craigpark School and additional administrative support will be introduced. A permanent Head Teacher will be appointed at Invergarven School in Girvan.

Councillor Hywel Davies, Portfolio Carrier for Learning and Prosperity said: “Some valuable lessons were learned during the pilot project and they are now being used to shape the form of education for people attending Special Schools in South Ayrshire. Officers will continue to work closely with the schools and the local communities during the Fundamental Review of the School Estate.”

“The changes at the Belmont Campus will slightly reduce management costs, by around £11,000, this will be used to fund additional classroom supplies.”