Public push for re-think on Marr College move

Oct 22 2010 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

EDUCATION chiefs will be asked to re-think their relocation of a historic school.

A public consultation on the future of Troon’s Marr College has revealed a huge split in opinion.

And councillors will be told next month that refurbishing on site may be a better option than moving to a new school.

The consultation, which began earlier this year, recommended a new purpose-built school in the town’s Dundonald playing fields.

But the Post understands that parents have returned a different verdict, with huge support for staying on site.

A source close to the consultation confessed: “The proposal backed a move to a completely new school because it looked like that was the only option.

“But things have certainly changed now with a very different feeling among the public.

“There are big advantages to staying at the current location and people feel it wouldn’t cost nearly as much to stay as was claimed.”

Marr, which has a school roll of 1200 pupils, has been creaking at the seams in its current campus, which was only built to cater for 200.

But the iconic structure, left to the town by Charles K Marr, is held in high regard by those who live in Troon.

Now it seems they’re not prepared to give it up without a fight.

South Ayrshire Council, who are set to lead a similar consultation on the closure of three primary schools in Carrick, insist they’re open to suggestions.

And education spokesman, Hywel Davies, admits bosses have had to play a listening game on Marr.

He said: “The important thing about public consultations is listening to the will of the people.

“As with all public consultations, we have to respect what the people are saying and we will do just that with Marr College.

“It remains to be seen what the outcome will be, but if we are asked to go back and think again then that’s what we will do.”

Ayr MSP John Scott is keen for the people’s will to be heard.

He said: “The overriding priority must be to ensure that Troon pupils have the quality of educational facilities that are fit for the demands of the twenty first century.

“While it remains to be seen what proposals end up being brought forward, a plan that provided the benefits of modern facilities while continuing to utilise the existing Marr College building and preserving the college’s proud tradition could offer the possibility of getting the best of both worlds.

“My own view very much remains that I want to hear what local people have said during the informal consultation and that my role is to press as hard as I can for the Scottish government to make funding available for an agreed set of proposals that both meet the needs of local pupils, teachers and parents and, just as importantly, command the support of the people of Troon.”

South Ayrshire council’s school management chief, Brian McInroy, added: “South Ayrshire council’s informal consultation exercise on the options available for Marr College attracted a wide range of views, ideas and suggestions which have been posted on the council’s website.

“Based on the outcome of the exercise, the council will consider a paper at its Leadership Panel meeting in November that sets out options for the school, taking full account of the views expressed.”