Belmont Academy
Belmont Academy (Scottish Gaelic: Àrd-sgoil Bhelmont) is the largest secondary school in Ayr. The Academy is non-denominational 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.
| Belmont Academy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
| |
8 Nursery Rd , KA7 3SN Scotland | |
| Information | |
| Type | Non-Denominational Secondary School |
| Motto | Bear Witness |
| Established | 1960 |
| Head Teacher | Tracy Stewart |
| Age | 11 to 18 |
| Enrolment | 1,260 (2017/18) |
| Houses | Arran, Bute, Cumbrae, Kintyre, Lomond |
| Colour(s) | Red, black and yellow |
| Publication | The Belmont Banner, The Crimson Banner, The Belmont Banter |
| School years | S1-S6 |
| Website | http://www.belmont.sayr.sch.uk/ |
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.
Mainholm Academy decant
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.
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 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.
New Head Teacher, 2013
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 his replacement, Susan Beattie, was able to take up her post.
Houses
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. The remaining 5 houses are Cumbrae, Bute, Lomond, Kintyre and Arran.
Current Management Structure
Head Teacher
- Miss T Stewart (2017–present)
Depute Head Teachers
- Mr. C Flanaghan
- Mr. G McLean
- Mr. S Anderson
- Mr. A Bryden
- Mr. B Sinclair
Former Head Teachers
- Mr D McCredie – August 1960 – June 1969 – Retired*
- Mr A Steele – August 1969 – June 1976 – Left* Died 1976
- Mr W F Stewart – August 1975 – March 1997 – Retired .
- Mr A Moir – March 1997 – June 2012 – Retired*
- Mrs S Beattie – August 2012 – December 2016 – Retired
- Mr G McLean – January 2017 to February 2017 (Acting)
- Miss T Stewart – March 2017 to Present
Associated Primary Schools
The current primary schools linking with Belmont are: Alloway Primary School, Kincaidston Primary School, Holmston Primary School, Tarbolton Primary School, Doonfoot Primary School and Braehead Primary School.
Notable former pupils
Notable former pupils include:
- Mike Scott from The Waterboys
- Stuart Murdoch from Belle and Sebastian
- Arnie Burgoyne from Echo and the Bunnymen
- Noam Dar, wrestler
- Stuart Henderson Comedian from Noel's House Party
