New housing developments within the Irvine East area, have resulted in an increase in the local population. One result of this population movement is education accommodation pressures at Annick Primary School, the catchment primary school for non-denominational pupils residing in the Montgomerie Park area. On 27 February 2019, North Ayrshire Council approved funding for a new 12-class non-denominational primary school for the Montgomerie Park area of Irvine within the Council’s capital plan.
In March 2020, the COVID-19 virus impacted the UK and the country was forced into lockdown. This meant that this project was placed on hold, until a clear strategy out of lockdown and the restrictions which existed as a result, could be planned. This delay has resulted in the proposed opening date for the new school being revised from August 2022 to August 2023.
In December 2020, North Ayrshire Council Cabinet approved the commencement of the statutory public consultation from 11 January 2021. The proposal now includes Early Learning and Childcare provision for 32 3-5 year olds and 15 2-year olds. The consultation closed on 2 March 2021 and the Council’s report on the consultation is available here.
At its meeting of 27 April 2021, the Council’s cabinet approved the proposal. Work will now begin on developing the design and regular updates will be provided to the local community.