west Scotland
South Ayrshire Schools
South Ayrshire covers Ayr, Prestwick, Troon and the surrounding rural area along the Firth of Clyde coast. The council runs around 35 primaries. The area has a mix of affluent coastal communities and areas of higher deprivation. Ayr Academy and Belmont Academy in the town centre are the largest secondaries. South Ayrshire schools generally follow the wider Ayrshire holiday pattern.
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£120–£150
Clothing grant
15 March
Placing deadline
West Scotland
Region
Universal
Free meals P1–P5
£30/week
EMA
Find your catchment school in South Ayrshire
Every address in South Ayrshire has a designated catchment primary and secondary school. Your child has the right to attend their catchment school — the council must provide a place. For a different school, submit a placing request by 15 March.
Secondary schools in South Ayrshire
9 publicly funded secondaries, from the Scottish Government school contact list dated 31 January 2026.
| School | Area | Type | Postcode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ayr Academy | Ayr | Non-denom | KA8 0SZ |
| Belmont Academy | Ayr | Non-denom | KA7 2PG |
| Carrick Academy | Maybole | Non-denom | KA19 8BP |
| Girvan Academy | Girvan | Non-denom | KA26 9DW |
| Kyle Academy | Ayr | Non-denom | KA7 3LR |
| Marr College | Troon | Non-denom | KA10 7AB |
| Prestwick Academy | Prestwick | Non-denom | KA9 2LB |
| Queen Margaret Academy | Ayr | RC | KA7 3TL |
| South Ayrshire Council Virtual School | Ayr | Multi-denom | KA7 1DR |
The honest take on South Ayrshire schools
South Ayrshire covers Ayr, Prestwick, Troon and the surrounding rural area along the Firth of Clyde coast. The council runs around 35 primaries. The area has a mix of affluent coastal communities and areas of higher deprivation. Ayr Academy and Belmont Academy in the town centre are the largest secondaries. South Ayrshire schools generally follow the wider Ayrshire holiday pattern. Below you’ll find catchment information, placing request links, clothing grant amounts, free school meals eligibility and EMA details — all linking directly to the South Ayrshire website.
Primary
£120
Secondary
£150
Available to families receiving qualifying benefits. No deadline — applications open year-round.
Apply at South AyrshireUniversal for P1–P5 — no application needed. From P6 onwards, means-tested on qualifying benefits (Universal Credit with earnings under £995/mo, Income Support, etc.).
Even if your child gets universal free meals, apply for the means-tested version — it unlocks the clothing grant and other council support.
Apply at South Ayrshire£30/week
For 16–19 year olds in S5, S6 or college from households with income below £24,421 (one child) or £26,884 (two+). Paid fortnightly to the young person’s own bank account.
Apply for EMAFree transport to your catchment school if the walking distance exceeds:
Primary
2+ miles
Secondary
3+ miles
Additional Support Needs in South Ayrshire
South Ayrshire operates a presumption of mainstreaming — most pupils with ASN attend their local school with additional support. The council’s ASN team manages referrals, assessments, and Coordinated Support Plans. If you believe your child needs additional support, contact the school’s Support for Learning teacher as a first step.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions about South Ayrshire schools
How do I find my catchment school in South Ayrshire?
South Ayrshire doesn't have a central online school finder. Contact the council's education department directly with your address to confirm your catchment primary and secondary schools. Placing requests for a non-catchment school must be submitted by 15 March.
How much is the school clothing grant in South Ayrshire?
South Ayrshire pays £120 per primary pupil and £150 per secondary pupil per school year (confirmed for the current academic year). Apply through the South Ayrshire website — most councils use a combined form for clothing grants and free school meals, so you can apply for both in one go.
What are the school holidays in South Ayrshire?
South Ayrshire sets its own school holiday calendar each academic year. Term dates, October break, Christmas, February, Easter and summer holidays all vary by council — they're not the same as England. See our dedicated South Ayrshire school holidays page for the full calendar with downloadable .ics files for Google Calendar, Apple Calendar or Outlook.
Last updated April 2026.
Clothing grant and free school meals data from South Ayrshire. School transport entitlements follow national statutory distances. See our editorial policy for how we source this data.