Belmont Academy
 |
|
| Motto | Bear Witness (current rector Alan Moir supports "Maximising Potential" as the co-motto) |
|---|---|
| Established | 1960 |
| Type | Inter Faith Secondary School |
| Rector | Alan C. Moir |
| Location | 8 Nursery Rd Ayr KA7 3SN Scotland |
| Students | 1900 |
| Ages | 11–18 |
| Houses | Lomond, Bute, Arran, Craig, Cumbrae and Kintyre |
| Colours | Black, Red and Yellow |
| 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 old 48-year-old campus into a brand new building, which was opened to pupils in August 2008.
Contents |
[edit] Rector
The current rector is Alan C. Moir.
[edit] History
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 2011, it was the 29th best state school in Scotland (out of 376 schools) based on exam performance.
[edit] Mainholm decant
In the summer of 2006, Mainholm Academy was closed for repairs and all of the school's pupils were proportionately decanted into several of Ayr's neighbouring schools - namely the Belmont, Ayr and Kyle Academies. Subsequently, on the 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.
[edit] The public-private partnership rebuild
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 summer 2008 and opened to pupils on the 24th 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 is now, as of February 2009, complete and the new playing fields and outdoor sports facilities are well on their way to completion.
[edit] Houses
The school has 6 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, firstly 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.
[edit] Departments
The school's music department is well known for its wind band, concert band, string orchestra, symphony orchestra, and jazz band. The Belmont Academy Jazz Band was formed from Belmont musicians and the Mainholm Academy Jazz Band after its integration into Belmont in the summer of 2006, and disbanded in the summer of 2008 after Carol MacMillan, the bandmaster and music teacher, left her post at Belmont Academy.
[edit] Feeder Primary Schools
The current primary schools feeding into Belmont are: Alloway Primary School, Kincaidston Primary School, Holmston Primary School, Tarbolton Primary School, Dalmilling Primary School, Doonfoot Primary School and Braehead Primary School.
[edit] Notable former pupils
Notable former pupils include:
[edit] External links
|
|||||||
