Irvine pupils have a regeneration lesson for us all

School pupils in Irvine have played an enthusiastic part in the regeneration of their town – learning some important lessons along the way.

Around 300 primary 7 pupils from the primary schools – Springside, Fencedyke, Lawthorn, Glebe, Broomlands, and Dreghorn – worked on an innovative project with Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, the RSPB, and the Maritime Museum.

The local young people from Irvine, Scotland were engaged with what’s happening in their area by inviting them to submit innovative ideas to regenerate the beach park in Irvine. The main aim is to come up with realistic ideas to attract families, residents and visitors to the area.

The youngsters were so enthused, and Irvine Bay so impressed with their efforts, that it was decided to create an exhibition of their work for the induction days held at Greenwood Academy last week (June 13-14). As part of their work, the youngsters visited the Beach Park and were taken on a tour by Alistair Murdoch, North Ayrshire Ranger Service, an RSPB rep and Maritime Museum staff, and included a tour of the cargo boat Kyles, situated in Irvine Harbour.

The work of the youngsters was put on display in their own primary schools. They were also asked to produce and deliver presentations on their work, and then all of the exhibition material was gathered together for the induction evenings.

The regeneration company also worked with 150 first year pupils from Irvine Royal Academy on a project designed to look at Tomorrow’s Homes Today.

This project was run in partnership with Billy Kirkwood of Robert Ryan Homes, North Ayrshire Council, Chamber of Commerce, and Walter Greg of Ology Training.

The youngsters were challenged by Robert Ryan Homes to come up with designs ideas for affordable housing in the area. Pupils were asked to present their ideas to a panel of experts at the end of the school year. The work included a visit to a new housing development in Prestwick, and coaching in presentation skills by Ology Training.

Patrick Wiggins, Chief Executive of Irvine Bay, said: “These projects helped us reach hundreds of young people and to get them involved and interested in the regeneration of their area. Regeneration is about more than bricks and mortar, it is about stimulating the interest and imagination of local people and in particular of young people.

“We were delighted that as well as gaining their interest, the feedback from schools was very positive in that these projects help the pupils learn lessons across a range of disciplines in a real-life environment.”