North Ayrshire Council has given the go-ahead to a new £42.5m campus development.

The Three Towns campus plan was approved by the Council’s Cabinet, following the approval of a funding bid for £22.5m by the Scottish Government in September.

The modern campus will bring together pupils from Ardrossan and Auchenharvie Academies, as well as pupils from Haysholm and James McFarlane schools.

Staff and parents from all four schools were kept in the loop regarding proposals since the funding bid.

Initial information and feedback sessions have also taken place with parent councils, while further regular meetings have been planned.

The Council has said pupils and parents will also be kept informed of progress through a regular newsletter.


A number of potential sites are still being considered by Council officers and local ward councillors who represent the two secondary schools will be invited to contribute to the evaluation workshops.

A preferred site will then be recommended to Cabinet.

North Ayrshire Council's Cabinet Member for Education, Attainment and Achievement, Councillor Tony Gurney said: "We have agreed to almost double the Council's investment in the project to £20m in order to make sure that the campus includes provision for children with additional support needs.

"This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a modern and inclusive campus that was too important to pass up.

"Our job now is to deliver a campus that provides all our young people with the best education and opportunities possible through listening to the views of the community."

Councillor Gurney added: "There will be full consultation to hear the views of all parents and families. And no decisions will be made – particularly on where the campus will be situated – until those consultations are complete."

North Ayrshire Council's Cabinet will meet in December to discuss the statutory public consultation process.

(IT/GK)