South Ayrshire Council has appointed Kier as the principal contractor to design and construct a new Girvan Primary School and Early Years Campus, a £33m investment to upgrade education facilities in the town.

Built on the existing Wesley Road site, the development will give the school its first purpose-built home. The two-storey primary will include modern classrooms, flexible breakout areas, a dining space and a sports hall with retractable bleacher seating. A dedicated ground-floor base for pupils with Additional Support Needs (ASN) will have a separate entrance, specialist facilities and an external play area.

Adjacent to the primary, a standalone Early Years Centre will provide interconnecting teaching spaces and a large glazed frontage opening onto a secure outdoor play area, creating a welcoming and inclusive setting for younger children.

Sustainability is central to the design, with renewable energy systems, low‑carbon building materials and advanced heating and ventilation technologies. These systems will be linked to the Council’s estate-wide management infrastructure to improve energy performance and support its sustainability commitments.

Construction began in October 2025. The primary school is due to complete in early 2027, with the Early Years Centre following shortly after to ensure a smooth transition for pupils and staff.

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Phil McDowell, regional director for Kier Construction North & Scotland, said: "We’re proud to be delivering this transformative project for the Girvan community.

"Kier brings extensive experience in delivering high-quality schools across Scotland, having successfully completed numerous primary, secondary and early years projects that combine innovative design with sustainability. The new campus will offer a vibrant, inclusive and future-ready learning environment for generations to come and make a real difference to local children and families."

Beyond construction, Kier plans to create lasting social value by offering local employment opportunities, engaging regional supply chains, and providing apprenticeships and training. The team will also work with schools and community groups on educational workshops and volunteering programmes so the benefits extend well beyond the building.

South Ayrshire Council’s policy lead for housing and property services, Councillor Martin Kilbride, said: "This is a landmark project for Girvan and a clear example of how the Council is investing in high-quality, sustainable facilities for the future. The design combines innovation and practicality, ensuring the campus will serve the needs of pupils, staff, and the wider community for generations to come.

South Ayrshire Council’s deputy leader and policy lead for commercial/operational services, Councillor Alec Clark, said:

"This investment marks a significant step forward for Girvan and the surrounding communities.

The construction of a purpose-built campus for Primary and Early Years stages demonstrates our ongoing commitment to ensuring that children and families in every part of South Ayrshire have access to first-class learning environments."

South Ayrshire Council’s policy lead for education and lifelong learning, Councillor William Grant, said: "The new Girvan Primary and Early Years Campus will provide an exceptional learning environment for children in the Primary and Early Years stages. It reflects our ambition to set up children in South Ayrshire for success, with facilities that inspire achievement, creativity, and a love of learning."