'Yes' to Largs Academy campus

Alison McEvoy gave a note of caution, and said: “I feel that it is important that we support proposals for a new school. If we make too many objections we will lose this chance to replace the old building which is on its last legs. That is what happened down the coast with the proposed Auchenharvie campus and sadly they have now missed their chance. However, it doesn’t mean we can’t have a say in the details.” Fiona Roddin Kirk said: “It is a fabulous idea. The Academy is in a bad state of repair but its old now , we are long overdue a new high school.” Mum Laura Smith of Largs said: “I think it’s a brilliant idea and site as the old school is falling apart and there’s no doubt we need a new one. However I don’t agree with the superschool idea with all the primary kids in there too but I’m pretty certain it will happen as it will make more sense financially and it’s what’s happening all over. I’m sure they will sell the idea to all the primary head teachers with the temptation of fancy new facilities.” Gillian Jack said: “I think this is a fabulous opportunity for the pupils and teachers of Largs Academy. The facilities in the school are outdated and are not much different to when I left in 1983. Having visited a lot of schools, my eyes have been opened to the amazing facilities that other schools have and I would love our local children to have a similar experience. This plan gets my vote.” Laura Mclean said: “I think it’s a great idea and well over due. I am just hoping everyone gets behind it or we will be waiting a very long time for this opportunity to come around again. Using the sporting facilities already there and adding to them is fantastic, education and sport together is a opportunity that we would be crazy not to support.” Some parents called for school buses to be brought back for Millport pupils now that there is a longer distance involved to the back of town in prospect.

Angela Doig said: “ A new updated school would be great for the future, but Millport kids will need their bus reinstated by council if they are to be at school in time!” Heather Stephanie Clegg asked: “Why don’t people want a super campus? How is that any different to the current set up of 3 out of the 4 schools being next door to each other? Yes it would be nice to keep in on the same site - build on the field, flatten the building and create a field but Inverclyde has the space and might help its security long term. If it becomes far enough away then the council will have a obligation to supply bus passes for the kids who the school is the nearest for but out with walking distance.” However, not all agreed with the ambitious proposal.

L.McKenzie said: “There is nothing wrong with the school. That is just wasting money on things it doesn’t need spent on.” Jen Miller said: “I think it’s ridiculous. The school should definitely be rebuilt but putting it in Inverclyde is a stupid idea. Nobody is going to want to walk there, so it’ll be full of cars dropping folk off, and then that’ll cause obstruction. It means folk can’t just jump down the road to get lunch and when it gets to winter and the ground is all icy. I wouldn’t expect anyone to actually go in, risking their lives going up that hill.” But Kate Ashmead was delighted with the proposal: “The kids could use sports facilities at the centre more often. If they stagger drop off pick up times for primary kids/secondary kids and accommodate the traffic then I think it would be a great asset for the kids education and sports. Surely by the time kids are secondary school they capable of walking distance regardless of location. Fingers crossed it all works out good.” Academy dinner lady Janet Muir enthused: “I think it would be fantastic - why should our children not have a wonderful school? The children are wonderful and it is a pleasure working with these fantastic children.” Kyle Fulton said: “This sounds like an absolutely amazing plan to create a world-class centre of excellence. Largs is a wee town and nowhere is that far to walk. Sure it’ll be further to walk to Inverclyde campus from the south side of Largs, but quicker for someone who lives out the glen. It’s swings and roundabouts.”