By Abdullahi Lukman
One of Scotland’s largest secondary schools has been closed for a week after severe internal flooding, despite the building having opened only a few years ago.
Robert Burns Academy in Cumnock, which has about 1,690 pupils, and its supported learning centre will remain shut until Monday 12 January following extensive flood damage.
Other schools on the nearby Barony campus will also stay closed temporarily because of a heating failure, with further inspections planned.
The £69 million campus, which opened in 2020 and accommodates around 2,500 pupils across several schools, is the largest capital project ever delivered by East Ayrshire Council.
Initial assessments suggest the flooding was caused by the failure of an air handling unit on the roof, allowing large volumes of water to enter the building’s ventilation system.
Council officials said investigations are still at an early stage and that reopening the school safely and as quickly as possible is the priority.
Robert Burns Academy was formed through the merger of Auchinleck and Cumnock academies and includes extensive facilities such as sports pitches, a running track, a theatre, a recording studio and a café.
The wider campus also houses Lochnorris Primary School, Hillside School and Cherry Trees Early Childhood Centre.
Meanwhile, several other schools across Ayrshire are expected to reopen as conditions improve following a recent spell of severe cold weather.
