March 16 2021

East Ayrshire Council has officially opened the Barony Campus in Cumnock, a £68m education building that consolidates five individual schools in one.

Built by Morrison Construction the 23,000sq/m campus is the largest capital project ever undertaken by the authority and melds teaching, sporting and community facilities for 2,500 pupils ad the wider public.

Spanning four linked structures the campus provides capacity for 1,633 secondary pupils, a 517-pupil primary school, a 119-place early childhood centre, an 80-pupil supported learning facility and 30 additional places for children with special educational needs. This is joined by shared public facilities including a sports centre, cafe, craft workshop, recording studio and a theatre.

Bespoke modular learning walls have also been created in collaboration with Deanestor which incorporate a central interactive screen, whiteboard doors a built-in desk and storage.

Council leader Douglas Reid said: "The Campus now belongs to our children and young people and our communities. The facilities they will enjoy, in all areas of learning – music, sport, STEM, the Arts – are exceptional, utilising the very latest technology including Scotland’s first interactive and immersive video room. Within Hillside School, in addition to specially designed classrooms, there is a hydrotherapy pool, sensory room, soft play area and trampoline for rebound therapy, which will be life-changing for our children and young people."

Designed by Sheppard Robson the campus employs a colour strategy inspired by landscape with prominent use of blues and greens throughout. All classrooms are arranged around a central atrium suitable for hosting group activities. 

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