Six-year-old school forced to close for week due to flood damage

One of Scotland’s largest schools has been forced to close for a week due to the amount of flood damage it has suffered, despite the building only opening in 2020.

The Robert Burns Academy, which has 1,690 pupils, and its supported learning centre in Cumnock will not reopen until Monday 12 January, due to internal flood damage.

Other establishments on the Barony campus – a site which includes three schools – will remain closed tomorrow due to heating failure, with further site visits to take place.

The £69m facility opened six years ago for around 2,500 pupils in total. It was the biggest capital project ever undertaken by East Ayrshire Council.

East Ayrshire Council said it was investigating the circumstances that led to the flooding.

A spokesperson said: “Early investigations indicate that an Air Handling Unit on the roof of the Campus failed, leading to significant amounts of water entering the ventilation system.

“Investigations are at a very early stage and priority is ensuring that the school is re-opened as quickly, and safely as possible.”

Robert Burns Academy opened after merger of Auchinleck and Cumnock academies. It has sports pitches, a running track, a theatre, a recording studio, and a café on site.

The campus includes Lochnorris Primary School, Hillside School and Cherry Trees Early Childhood Centre.

A number of other Ayrshire schools will re-open tomorrow after a wave of cold weather struck Scotland.