Ayr Academy

Infobox scottish primary, secondary and nursery school
name= Ayr Academy


image size= 80px
rector= Mr David Mathieson
type= State coeducational secondary
educational authority= South Ayrshire Council
location= Fort Street, Ayr, South Ayrshire, KA7 1HX
coordinates=
founded= c.1000^†
motto= "Respice, Prospice"
school colours= maroon, black, white
main feeder schools=Annbank Primary School, Coylton Primary School, Dalmilling Primary School, Newton Primary School
url =
age range= 11 to 18
years taught= S1 - S6
number of pupils= 715 approx (2008)
number of staff= 67 (including support staff)
website= http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/ayracademy/index.htm

Ayr Academy is a non-denominational secondary school situated in the centre of the town of Ayr in South Ayrshire. It is a comprehensive school for children from the ages of 11 to 18 from Ayr. Ayr Academy's catchment area covers Newton-on-Ayr, Whitletts and the outlying villages of Coylton, Annbank, and Mossblown. In 2007 the closure of Mainholm Academy resulted in the addition of approx 100 extra pupils attending Ayr Academy. At present, approximately 715 pupils attend the school.

The school's motto is "Respice, Prospice" which is Latin for "Look Backwards, Look Forwards". The school houses are Galloway, Kyle, and Carrick.

History

Ayr Academy prides itself in being the oldest school in Scotland.The school has existed, in various guises, since 1000 [http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/galleries/ayr800/ayr_education.htm South Ayrshire Council - Ayr History - education] although it did not come to be known as Ayr Academy until 1796. It moved from the Sandgate to its present location on Fort Street in 1800, with a further extension to the building added in the early 1960s. It was used a fort until 1255

Subjects offered

The school offers a wide range of subjects including (but not restricted to):

*English
*Mathematics
*Modern Foreign Languages (French, German, Spanish)
*Physics
*Chemistry
*Biology
*Geography
*Modern Studies
*History
*Religious and Moral Education
*Art and Design
*Graphic Communication
*Product Design
*Administration
*Business Management
*Practical Craft Skills
*Home Economics
*Physical Education
*Accounting and Finance
*Office and Information Studies
*Computing
*Science

Notable alumni

* Sir David Murray, (1951- ) Scottish entrepreneur, businessman and Chairman of Rangers Football Club.
* William Beardmore, 1st Baron Invernairn (1856-1936), industrialist
* Karen Dunbar, Scottish comedienne and entertainer
* John M. Farquhar (1832-1918), member of the United States House of Representatives and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor
* Fiona Hyslop, Scottish National Party politician, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning and Member of the Scottish Parliament
* Sir John Latta, 1st Baronet (1867-1946), Scottish shipping magnate
*Walter Perry, Baron Perry of Walton, Vice-Chancellor of the Open University
* William John Macquorn Rankine (1820-1872), Scottish engineer and physicist, one of the founding fathers of the field of thermodynamics
* Alan Reid, Member of Parliament for Argyll and Bute

External links

* [http://www.scottishschoolsonline.gov.uk/schools/ayracademysouthayrshire.asp Ayr Academy's page on Scottish Schools Online]

References