Belmont Academy
 |
|
| Motto | Bear Witness |
|---|---|
| Established | 1960 |
| Type | Secular Secondary School |
| head Teacher | Tracy Stewart |
| Location |
8 Nursery Rd Ayr KA7 3SN Scotland |
| Students | 1,500 |
| Ages | 11–18 |
| Houses | Lomond, Bute, Arran, Cumbrae and Kintyre |
| Colours | Red, gold and green |
| Publication | The Belmont Banner, The Crimson Banner (2011) |
| School years | S1-S6 |
| Website | Belmont Academy |
Belmont Academy (Scottish Gaelic: Àrd-sgoil Bhelmont) is the largest secondary school in Ayr and the 6th largest in Scotland. The Academy is inter-faith and state-run by South Ayrshire Council. In 2008 the school transferred from the 48-year-old campus into a new building, which was opened to pupils in August 2008.
The current Head Teacher is Miss Tracy Stewart.
The original Belmont Academy was built in 1960. When the school leaving age rose to 15, Ayr Academy no longer had the capacity for all the secondary school children in Ayr and so Belmont was built. Construction of the current campus started on 10 January 2007 and the new building was opened to pupils in August 2008.
In mid-2006, Mainholm Academy was closed for repairs and all of the school's pupils were decanted into neighbouring schools - namely the Belmont, Ayr and Kyle Academies. Subsequently, on 24 November 2006 it was revealed by South Ayrshire Council that Mainholm would be closed permanently and the transfer of pupils to new schools became permanent.
Belmont Academy, along with Prestwick Academy, has had a new campus built to replace their aged original buildings. South Ayrshire Council made use of the controversial public-private partnership (PPP) plan to finance the project. Construction work was contracted to the British-based company Carillion. Work was originally due to start in the summer of 2006 but was delayed and did not begin until 10 January 2007. The former playing fields beside the school were entirely fenced off during this process. Although work started later than intended the school was completed by the original date in 2008 and opened to pupils on 24 August 2008. The gradual dismantling and demolition of the original buildings began shortly after the new facilities opened, during which time the old campus was completely sealed off from the new. The demolition and clearing was finished by February 2009.
Early in the year, and after many years serving Belmont Academy, headteacher Alan Moir left his post. A temporary headteacher Allan Rattray of Girvan Academy occupied the role for several weeks before the current rector, Susan Beattie, a keen gardener, was able to take up her post.
The school has 5 houses into which the pupils of the school are assigned. Originally named after islands in the Firth of Clyde, the houses were Arran, Craig, Cumbrae and Bute. As the school roll varied, first Kintyre was added to make 5 houses, then Bute was dropped as the school roll fell, however it was reinstated together with Lomond as the school roll was subsequently increased again with the partial assimilation of Mainholm Academy. In 2010 Craig house was dropped and the pupils split between the remaining 5 houses.
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