All Catholic campus planned for Ayr

Feb 12 2010 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A CATHOLIC campus could be up and running in Ayr in 10 years.

The all-through 5 to 18 denominational school based at Queen Margaret Academy is in the council’s long term plans.

It comes after a month long consultation with parents, staff and other members of the Catholic community.

But St Ann’s and St Cuthbert’s schools will not be part of the campus.

But Brian McInroy, head of school management, explained to councillors this week: “Nineteen per cent of all responses received were supportive of St John’s primary school being part of an all-through campus, while 34 per cent were against it.

“However, the number of responses received from parents was very low.

“The condition and suitability of the Queen Margaret Academy and St John’s primary are such that they are not considered a priority for the council at this time and it is proposed that the idea of an all-through campus remains a strategic aim rather than being progressed at this stage.”

He continued: “A suggestion was made in the consultation that St Ann’s primary school should be merged with St John’s primary school although this view was not supported by the St Ann’s parent council.

“It is therefore proposed that officers from the children and community engage with the parents of St Ann’s primary and the Roman Catholic church to explore this idea further.”

And he quashed suggestions that the campus could include pre-school education.

Mr McInroy said: “A small number of responses suggested that the all-through campus should include early years provision, however, the council does not provide early years provision specifically for the denominational sector.

“The proposal for early years provision being included in the campus must therefore be considered in the context of sufficient provision already being available in the Queen Margaret Academy area.

“Transporting very young children is a concern for parents, would be also be expensive and therefore it is proposed that this suggestion should not be included the campus proposal.”