Robert Burns Academy

The Robert Burns Academy is a secondary school located in Cumnock, East Ayrshire, Scotland, which opened to pupils in October 2020 following the merger of Cumnock Academy and Auchinleck Academy.^[2] The current Head Teacher, Tracy Stewart, also serves as the Head of Barony Campus, which includes Robert Burns Academy, Lochnorris Primary School, Cherry Trees Early Childhood Centre, and Hillside School.^[3][4]

The Robert Burns Academy
School badge
Main entrance to Robert Burns Academy
Location
Barony Campus, Auchinleck Road, Cumnock, East Ayrshire Scotland
Coordinates	55.45445°N 4.26644°W / 55.45445; -4.26644
Information
Type	Co-educational, non-demonational secondary school
Motto	Where we belong, where we reach our potential
Religious affiliation(s)	Non-demonational
Established	26 October 2020 (2020-10-26)
Authority	East Ayrshire Council
Head teacher	Tracy Stewart[1]
Grades	S1–S6
Gender	Boys and girls
Age range	11–18
Enrollment	1,665
Language	English, Scots
Website	Robert Burns Academy

Robert Burns Academy, as well as the overall Barony Campus, is the largest educational provision in Scotland.^[5]

History

The proposal for the creation of a new multi-million pound new "super school" in the Cumnock area was announced in November 2014. The proposed closure of Auchinleck and Cumnock Academies, and the creation of a new school campus, involved consultation with the parents and carers of students at both schools. ^[6] The opening of the new Barony Campus and Robert Burns Academy was delayed due to the COVID-19 outbreak resulting in construction work being halted at the site for a period. The school campus eventually opened to pupils in October 2020.^[7]

In 2025, pupils from Robert Burns Academy participated in the inaugural Young Musician Competition finals.^[8]

Overview

Barony Campus

Robert Burns Academy is part of a 3-18 campus known as the Barony Campus. Within the campus are:

• Robert Burns Academy
• Lochnorris Primary School
• Cherry Trees Early Childhood Centre
• Hillside School

Each of the four educational establishments is led by its own Head Teacher, with Tracy Stewart serving as the overall Head of Campus, as well as Head Teacher of Robert Burns Academy.^[9]

Staffing

As one of the largest schools in Scotland in terms of pupil population, Robert Burns Academy has a large number of staff consisting of one Head Teacher (also Head of Campus), six Depute Head Teachers, one Head of Inclusion hub provision, nine Principal Teachers of Pupil Support, Class teachers across different educational departments and support, clerical and janitorial staff.^[10]

Performance

In 2022, Robert Burns Academy was ranked as the 288th best performing state school in Scotland, an increase from its 2021 ranking of 340th.^[11]

Associated primary schools

The current associated primary schools for Robert Burns Academy are Auchinleck Primary, Catrine Primary, Drongan Primary, Hillside Primary, Lochnorris Primary, Logan Primary, Mauchline Primary, Muirkirk Primary, Netherthird Primary, New Cumnock Primary, Ochiltree Primary and Sorn Primary.^[10]

See also

• Lists of schools in Scotland