The new Maybole Community Campus opened in August 2023. It incorporates Carrick Academy, St Cuthbert’s Primary School, and the new Culzean Primary School and Early Years Centre (formed from the amalgamation of Gardenrose and Cairn Primary schools) creating an inspiring learning environment for up to 1,370 pupils.

The site, adjacent to Carrick Academy, has been transformed into a modern, four-storey campus where pupils will flourish for many years to come.

Maybole Community Campus encompasses Early Years, Primary and Secondary schools and also includes community use facilities such as changing pavilion, gym, fitness suite, sports halls, swimming pool and wet change area and police office.

The new school was developed for South Ayrshire Council by development partner hub South West Scotland and is based on the Scottish Schools for the Future model.

The project aims were to:

• Provide good comfort conditions to provide an excellent learning environment
• Develop sustainable lifecycle solutions and reduce energy consumption
• Drive cost-efficiency
• Focus on providing passive environmental design principles, where possible, to minimise carbon emissions, capital costs and running costs

In support of Scotland’s net zero ambitions, the new school boasts renewable energy solutions via a roof mounted Solar PV array and a wind turbine. Heating is also supplied via 25 no. Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) housed on the roof.

There are various forms of heating throughout the school:

•  Classroom heating is provided by radiant panels and classroom vent units
• Circulation areas and games hall heating are provided by radiant panels
• Atrium areas, the nursery classrooms and wet changing area for the swimming pool are provided by underfloor heating

FES Ltd was engaged by Morgan Sindall to deliver the following:

• Design was novated from TUV Sud to FES on contract award
• Design, supply, install, test and commission the mechanical and electrical services and IT infrastructure
• The externals package incorporated the connection, installation, testing and commissioning of the external water main and fire hydrant

Prefabrication

FES made good use of prefabrication for M&E services, utilising pipework modules and the construction of 2 no. plant rooms which were installed on the roof. This ensured that bulky construction works were done in a safe, secure environment and were delivered to site ready for install.  Having the plant rooms prefabricated literally saved months of construction time. The pipework modules for the ASHPs were also prefabricated which helped keep labour resource for installation to a minimum.

Client Feedback:

“The FES team worked collaboratively with Morgan Sindall and the wider supply chain throughout the duration of the Maybole CC project. FES demonstrated their strength in offsite prefabrication through the delivery of prefabricated plantrooms. The plantrooms provided the project with programme, environmental and health & safety benefits whilst being delivered to the highest quality standards. I look forward to continuing to build our working relationship with FES on future projects.”

Graeme Begley MCIOB, Building Services Lead – Scotland, Morgan Sindall Construction

“FES have been involved in over £200m worth of our education projects including the award-winning Marr College and Ayr Grammar Primary and Nursery projects. Over the past decade we have built strong relationships with the team who share our vision for delivering first-class, high quality and sustainable facilities.

Most recently FES were involved in the delivery of the £60 million Maybole Community Campus project where we welcomed their strong partnership working ethos and solid understanding on our testing and commissioning processes that ensure our projects are delivered to the highest standards. More widely FES support a range of apprenticeship activities that contribute to our regional approach to skills development.”

Michael Ross, Chief Executive, hub South West Scotland