Teachers learn regeneration lessons

Teachers from two Irvine schools enjoyed a tour of the town’s historic Trinity Church – as part of a plan to explore ways in which youngsters can become even more engaged in the regeneration of their town.

Irvine Bay Regeneration Company arranged the visit by staff at Irvine Royal Academy and Greenwood Academy as part of its ongoing award-winning education outreach work, which has been complimented in the past by Education Secretary Mike Russell MSP.

To date, the company’s education projects have seen 3,000 young people become engaged with the regeneration of Irvine Bay, through 56 projects run in 28 different schools.

The regeneration company are keen to work even more closely with schools and young people in future, and are currently looking at a number of ideas that would link closely with delivering the Curriculum for Excellence.

In Irvine, the education work will also help engage people with the transformation work being carried out in Irvine town centre by North Ayrshire Council and Irvine Bay. Four key projects include Bridgegate public realm, Bridgegate House, a new sports and leisure centre and Trinity Church.

At an innovative pop-up shop set up in the Bridgegate recently, more than 500 local people took the opportunity to learn more about and comment on the plans.

Patrick Wiggins, Chief Executive of Irvine Bay, said: “We launched our hugely successful education programme in the summer of 2008, and schools have shown an increasing desire to become involved in projects that have been widely praised, by Government and also by school inspectors.

“Engaging with young people is very important in the regeneration of an area. After all, we are talking about creating a viable future, and our young people are that future.

“We are working up a new raft of projects which will link in with the work being carried out in Irvine and elsewhere, and we are also expanding our ability to reach young people through our innovative use of social media.”

Councillor David O’Neill, Leader of North Ayrshire Council, said: “We are delighted that Irvine Bay continues to involve our young people so closely with these projects.

“Not only is there a lot to be gained in terms of the educational aspects of the Trinity Church and its history, it also gives the young people pride in their town.”