Irvine Royal Academy - History

Irvine Royal Academy is one of few schools in Scotland which contain the 'Royal' appellation.

The original school was located in the Kirkgatehead, at the end of Hill Street, near to the parish church In 1572, King James VI provided funds to found the King's School of Irvine.

A new building was erected in 1814-16, the foundation stone being laid on 22 April 1814. At the event there was a parade of two bands, members of the freemasons, town councillors, ministers, members of the local trades, 370 pupils plus others who had subscribed to the cost.

The new Academy building had been designed by the architect, David Hamilton of Glasgow. The school was opened on 3 July 1816, at which time the old schools in the burgh were closed. At the time, it was decreed that the 10 December every year should be a holiday for the pupils in Irivne, to mark the birthday of Hugh Montgomerie, 12th Earl of Eglinton.

A Royal Charter granted in 1818 for the directorship of Irvine Royal Academy, which included the Earl of Eglinton, eleven councillors and all who subscribed £50 or more. 

In the mid nineteenth century the school became more select, pupils paying fees to attend. In 1868 there were 160 pupils, who paid £460. Fess for the school were abolished in 1927.

The school was taken over by Irvine School Board in 1872 as a result of the Education (Scotland) Act.

The old school became unsuitable for education purposes and in 1899 it was demolished to allow the erection of a new building. This was designed by local architect, John Armour. During the period of construction, the pupils were educated in various halls in the burgh. The new school, built of red sandstone, was officially opened on 27 December 1901 by the Earl of Eglinton. At the time the name Irvine Royal Academy was revived.

A new building was erectedfrom Ballochmyle sandstone in the Grecian style. It opened on 27 December 1901.

After fees for secondary pupils wee abolished in 1927, the school roll rose and it became necessary to build an Annexe on Kilwinning Road, on the academy's sports field, in 1932. The school's primary department was closed in 1952.

A replacement building, which became Ravenspark Academy, opened in August 1969.

In 1983 the BBC made a documentary on the 'Save Our School' campaign which existed to prevent the closure of the old Irvine Royal Academy. This can be watched on YouTube here.

The old buildings remained open to serve pupils from Dreghorn and Kilwinning. In August 1992, the two academies were amalgamated into Irvine Royal Academy and in June 1993 the old school and its annexe were closed. The old school of 1901 was converted into offices. The Annexe was demolished and the site was developed for housing.

The new Irvine Royal Academy was officially opened by Councillor Elliot Gray JP on 22 March 1994.

Ravenspark Academy

Ravenspark Academy started as a rerplacement building for Irvine Royal academy. The foundation stone of the building named it as Irvine Royal Academy. However, it was opened as Ravenspark Academy in August 1969.

Eventually, Ravenspark Academy and Irvine Royal Academy were merged in 1992. A local vote considered the options of Ravenspark Academy, Irvine Royal Academy or Cunninghame Academy as the name of the new school, Irvine Royal, mainly because of its heritage, winning.

Rectors - Headmasters - Head Teachers

The following gives a list of the headteachers or rectors of Irvine Royal Academy plus Ravenspark Academy.

1814-1826   Dr J. Lockhart Brown

1826-1844   David Stewart

1844-1877   George Paulin (1812-1898)

1877-1883   Zachary M. H. Ross

1883-1911   Thomas Robert Stewart (1859-1911)

1911-1914   Peter Monie

1914-1930   J. W. Bryson MA

1930-1953   James Porter 

1953-1970   Alexsnder W. McMillan (1906-1978)

1970-1972   J. Hay

1972-1984   W. Iain Foulds

1984-1988   A. A. Crawford

1988-2003   Robert Reid

2003-2014   Stirling T. Mackie

2014-2017   Tracey Stewart

2017-2019   Alison Sutherland (nee Crawford) BA SQH MSc

2020-           Linzie Sloan

Ravenspark Academy

1974-        B. MacCormack

                 P Milne

Irvine Royal Academy - Timeline of History

1572 - King James VI provided funds to help establish a new school in Irvine.

1814 - Foundation Stone of David Hamilton-designed academy laid.

1816 - New academy opened.

1872 - Education (Scotland) Act passed, bringing schools under the control of school boards.

1901 - New school opened on 27 December, built on site of Hamilton buildng.

1902 - Irvine Royal Academy Old Pupils' Association formed.

1912 - Bust of George Paulin presented to school.

1932 - Annexe building erected on former school playing fields.

1952 - Irvine Royal Primary Department closed.

1969 - Ravenspark Academy opened August 1969. Official opening took place on 12 November 1969 by William Paterson JP, Convener of the County of Ayr.

1993 - Irvine Royal Academy and Ravenspark Academy merged in July 1993. The school badge was designed by Debbie Flannigan, an S3 pupil at the time.

1994 - New Irvine Royal Academy officially opened by Councillor Elliot Gray JP, 22 March 1994.