Barony Badges Revealed!
Following six months of drawings, designs, deliberations and decisions, the wait is finally over and the new uniform identities for the Barony Campus can be revealed!
Two years ago, in April 2018, construction commenced on the £68m Barony Campus - one of East Ayrshire Council’s most ambitious capital projects to date.
Construction onsite has been temporarily suspended owing to COVID-19 restrictions, and pupils, parents and staff eagerly await the opening of their new Campus later this year, but this has not dampened the enthusiasm and anticipation surrounding the new Campus, as details of the new uniforms have been released.
The Barony Campus will provide accommodation for early years, primary and secondary learning communities including young people with additional support needs, replacing existing accommodation in Cumnock Academy and Supported Learning Centre, Auchinleck Academy, Barshare Primary School, Supported Learning Centre and Early Childhood Centre, Greenmill Primary School and Early Childhood Centre and Hillside Additional Support Needs School.
The Barony Campus will include The Robert Burns Academy, Lochnorris Primary School, Cherry Trees Early Childhood Centre and Hillside School.
Late last year, pupils from all the participating schools were invited to submit ideas for their new school uniforms and a small working group of pupil representatives and officers from East Ayrshire Council was established to progress with the designs.
Peter Gilchrist, Head of The Barony Campus explained: “We had an overwhelming response from our children and young people. I was impressed by the imagination and creativity of many of these ideas; pupils thought long and hard about their local heritage and history and were obviously very keen to see this reflected in their new uniforms.
“This was a long process; the group considered many styles, shapes and colour schemes, and we all had our own personal favourites, but ultimately we recognised that our young people needed a simple, modern concept that they would be proud to wear throughout their Barony Campus journey, from early years, through primary and into secondary.
“There are simple colour variances to differentiate each establishment, but the final design will feature in the uniforms for all year groups.
“The Barony Campus will be fully inclusive and to encourage this, the badge will remain the same on blazers, polo-shirts and sweatshirts for all year groups, with only the establishment name changing. We’ve also developed a tartan based on our chosen colour scheme and this will be replicated in ties for pupils attending The Robert Burns Academy and Lochnorris Primary School.
“Throughout the whole process, we were grateful for the guidance and advice offered by the Council’s design team, in terms of style, colour schemes, and most importantly, how well the chosen designs would reproduce on the items of clothing which make up our uniforms.”
The Campus badge incorporates four different elements, each representing one of the new establishments. The Robert Burns Academy is represented by a red rose. Lochnorris Primary School is represented of the original Lochnorris Castle sitting above the Lugar Water. Cherry Trees Early Childhood Centre is represented by cherry blossom and Hillside School has retained its highly popular sunshine symbol.
Councillor Fiona Campbell, Cabinet member with responsibility for Lifelong Learning said:
“This has been a fascinating process, which has resulted in the creation of a unique identity for a unique Campus, and I’m certain that our young people will be proud to wear this and feel part of something special when the Barony Campus opens later this year.
“Thank you to all the children and young people who provided the inspiration for these designs!”