South Ayrshire Council News

Members of South Ayrshire Council’s Leadership Panel have agreed that a technical assessment exercise should be undertaken on Straiton Primary School and the building included in the Council’s Asset Management Plan.

In October 2007 members of the Leadership Panel authorised Officers to carry out a Fundamental Review of the School Estate. As part of this Review Officers met with parents and the wider communities of Straiton at workshops and meetings. All comments and suggested options were recorded and these have been placed on the Council’s website to make them accessible to the public.

Councillor Hywel Davies, the Council’s Portfolio Carrier for Learning and Prosperity said: “It is important that people in South Ayrshire come forward and let the Council know their views on their local schools and tell us how they think that they could be improved to provide the best accommodation for pupils and employees.”

“The Review made it quite clear that local people wished to see Straiton Primary School retained. The school was built in 1925 and has served the community well and we must make sure that it continues to serve the needs of the community in future years.”

A recent HMIe inspection report on the school made comment on the accommodation at Straiton Primary School and this was taken into account by members of the Panel when reaching their decision to approve the refurbishment of the school. The report said: “Toilet facilities were inadequate and were shared by pupils and teachers. Space in the office and staffroom was limited and accessed through the P1 to P3 classroom. There was a lack of suitable space to accommodate meetings, visitors and visiting staff working with pupils. The well used annexe was shared with the nursery, and used as the school dining room. Time for staff to prepare the dining area and to clear up following school lunches was limited. The concrete playground had recently been resurfaced but was on a steep and potentially hazardous slope. Access to both buildings for disabled users was limited, although further development was planned.”