South Ayrshire Council has appointed Kier as the principal contractor to design and construct a new Girvan Primary School and Early Years Campus, a £33 million 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.

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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.

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.