Annbank Primary, on its present site, came into existence in 1903. Although this is when the present school came into being, its history can be traced back to the mid 19th century and the school that was situated at Weston Brae in Annbank.
Centenary Stained Glass Window
In 1870 or early 1871 a schoolmaster by the name of John MacArthur was engaged by the coal company that ran the school. His recollections, made in 1921, of the original building, were as follows:
“. … the old thatched school, which he at first sight had taken for stables attached to the pit, and which was only some 45 feet by 15 feet, into which something like 200 pupils were stuffed.”
In 1903 the school moved to its present location at Annbank Road in Mossblown. John MacArthur was the first Headmaster of the new school in Mossblown. The Head Teachers of the school were as follows:
“. … the old thatched school, which he at first sight had taken for stables attached to the pit, and which was only some 45 feet by 15 feet, into which something like 200 pupils were stuffed.”
In 1903 the school moved to its present location at Annbank Road in Mossblown. John MacArthur was the first Headmaster of the new school in Mossblown. The Head Teachers of the school were as follows:
John MacArthur 1903-1911
Ronald MacArthur 1911-1934
Robert Brown 1934-1952
James Dunlop Paterson 1952-1965
George Young Nisbet 1965-1975
Andrew B Niven 1975-1997
Linda J Greig 1998-2009
Davina Chalmers 2009-2016
Karen Butchart 2016-Present
Ronald MacArthur 1911-1934
Robert Brown 1934-1952
James Dunlop Paterson 1952-1965
George Young Nisbet 1965-1975
Andrew B Niven 1975-1997
Linda J Greig 1998-2009
Davina Chalmers 2009-2016
Karen Butchart 2016-Present
During 1998 - 2001 many building improvements took place, carried out for South Ayrshire Council by Robert Potter & Partners, architects in Ayr. The old infant building, or back building, became Saint Ann’s Primary and Annbank Nursery Class. The Middle building was incorporated into the main building by way of a new extension and became Annbank Primary School. The new extension contained Offices for Annbank Primary, a shared library and a shared staffroom. The idea behind some shared resources was to encourage working together in an informal way.
The outside toilets were knocked down and a classroom changed into new ones. The front building received a major refurbishment that included new windows and roof. During the summer of 2003 Saint Ann’s Primary and Annbank Nursery class received a new roof and windows to complete the major renovations. A Nursery School was opened in August 1997 and at that time it could take 40 children, that is, 20 in the morning and 20 in the afternoon. In August 2000 the Nursery was extended to take 80 children, that is, 40 in the morning and 40 in the afternoon. The Nursery School originally took over one room in St Ann’s School (the former Advanced Division), and then took over their General Purpose Room. Administratively, the Nursery is part of Annbank Primary School. This information on the history of the school was taken from the book "ANNBANK SCHOOL 1903 - 2003 By William REID, Rob CLOSE & Margaret PASCHKE" Written in 2003. August 2011 saw the closure of St. Ann's Primary.
2016/17 saw huge changes to the Annbank Primary school buildings, with the addition of an extension housing a new gym hall, community hall, office suite, and entrance area; along with the integration of the community library within the campus.
The outside toilets were knocked down and a classroom changed into new ones. The front building received a major refurbishment that included new windows and roof. During the summer of 2003 Saint Ann’s Primary and Annbank Nursery class received a new roof and windows to complete the major renovations. A Nursery School was opened in August 1997 and at that time it could take 40 children, that is, 20 in the morning and 20 in the afternoon. In August 2000 the Nursery was extended to take 80 children, that is, 40 in the morning and 40 in the afternoon. The Nursery School originally took over one room in St Ann’s School (the former Advanced Division), and then took over their General Purpose Room. Administratively, the Nursery is part of Annbank Primary School. This information on the history of the school was taken from the book "ANNBANK SCHOOL 1903 - 2003 By William REID, Rob CLOSE & Margaret PASCHKE" Written in 2003. August 2011 saw the closure of St. Ann's Primary.
2016/17 saw huge changes to the Annbank Primary school buildings, with the addition of an extension housing a new gym hall, community hall, office suite, and entrance area; along with the integration of the community library within the campus.