YOUNG people who will soon be moving to the new Ayr Academy have been given a sneak peek behind the scenes. 

Construction work on the South Ayrshire Council project got underway in January last year, with pupils due to move in for August 2017.

The new £25m project at Ayr’s Craigie Estate will have capacity for up to 1,000 pupils, and incorporates sports and community facilities including sports pitches, a multi-use hall, two gyms and a dance studio.

The project, which is being delivered in partnership with SWHub and built by Kier Construction, is now well progressed.

To see the developments first hand a group of 16 pupils from the current Ayr Academy traveled to the site to find out more about their new school and were impressed with what they saw.

Caleb Rennie, 12, said he was looking forward to the move.

He said: “We’ve heard a lot about the new building but it’s good to be able to see what’s actually happening. It will be great to have a brand new building and most of us can’t wait for the big move.”

Headteacher at Ayr Academy, Lyndsay McRoberts, said the new school would make a big difference to pupils. 

She said:“In just a few months we’ll be moving to this fantastic new building that will help to transform the way we work.

“There are already visible signs of significant progress at the new site and it was great that our young people got the chance to hear more about the construction process, which is now entering its final stages.”

The project is now at an important stage in its development and is now substantially wind and watertight, and ready for the internal fit out.

Councillor Margaret Toner, South Ayrshire Council’s Portfolio Holder for Lifelong learning, said the new building would make a significant difference.

She said: “The new school is a major investment in the standard of education that will be available for generations to come.

“Our focus on partnership working will see closer ties developed between the school, Ayrshire College and the University of the West of Scotland – something that will strengthen the education sector and provide more opportunities for young people.”