Marr College

Marr College represents the only secondary school in Troon, South Ayrshire, and draws pupils from that town, together with the nearby settlements of Barassie, Muirhead, Loans, Dundonald and surrounding rural areas. It had a roll of 1154 pupils in 2006, which had declined to 924 in 2015. The school was established following a bequest from Charles Kerr Marr (1855 - 1919), who had made his money in shipping. Although an agreement was made between Marr's trustees, Troon Town Council and the Ayrshire Education Authority by 1926, a legal dispute with the Scottish Education Department relating to its semi-independent status prevented progress. The school was completed in 1930 and its Rector appointed, yet further problems between the Board of Governors and the Education Department ensured he presided over an empty building until a resolution was agreed and the College was opened by Philip Kerr, 11th Marquess of Lothian (1882 - 1940), on 2nd September 1935. Originally designed for 400 pupils, the roll was to rise to 1500 in the 1970s as the town and school catchment grew. The school was extended and gave up its semi-independent grant-aided status to come under the direct control of the local Education Authority although, unusually, the buildings remain the property of its Board of Governors. The school offers a broad curriculum and enjoys an excellent reputation within the community.

Former pupils include actress Susannah York (1939 - 2011), rugby player Gordon Brown (1947 - 2001), politician Mike Russell (b.1953), broadcaster Tom Morton (b.1955), comedienne and actress Ronni Ancona (b.1968) and footballer Alan Hutton (b.1984).


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