Schools across Kilmarnock and surrounding parts of East Ayrshire will be closed on Monday, 5 January 2026 after severe winter weather triggered flooding and heating failures across key education buildings in south-west Scotland. After several days of heavy rain, saturated ground and sharply falling temperatures, parts of the region have seen public infrastructure pushed beyond safe operating limits, forcing authorities to shut school facilities rather than risk pupils and staff.
The emergency school closure affects Barony Campus, one of East Ayrshire’s largest multi-school education sites, and Robert Burns Academy, the main secondary school serving Kilmarnock and nearby communities. Engineers found that heating systems could not maintain safe indoor temperatures and that floodwater had entered parts of the campus, making continued use impossible.
The decision was confirmed by East Ayrshire Council in two official updates issued late on Sunday, 4 January, as inspections were carried out across the site. The WP Times reports this, citing the council’s announcements published at 17:00 and 18:00.
Which schools are closed on 5 January
According to East Ayrshire Council, the following establishments will not open to pupils on Monday:
- Lochnorris Primary School (PS)
- Lochnorris Early Learning and Childcare (ELC)
- Cherry Trees School
- Hillside School
- Robert Burns Academy
- Robert Burns Academy Supported Learning Centre (SLC)
Together, these schools serve a wide catchment across Kilmarnock and surrounding parts of East Ayrshire, covering early-years provision, mainstream primary and secondary education, and specialist additional-support teaching.
Why Barony Campus has been shut
In its latest update at 18:00 on 4 January, the council confirmed that all establishments on Barony Campus are closedon Monday because of a heating failure.
Barony Campus brings together several schools on a shared site. Without functioning heating, the buildings cannot be kept at the safe temperatures required for children and staff, particularly during winter conditions. This means classrooms, early-years facilities and specialist support rooms cannot legally or safely operate. The council said engineers are assessing the fault and that further updates will be issued on Monday once the scale of the problem is clearer.
Why Robert Burns Academy is also closed
Earlier, at 17:00 on 4 January, East Ayrshire Council announced that Robert Burns Academy and its Supported Learning Centre would be closed due to flooding. Flooding inside or around school buildings creates serious risks to electrical systems, flooring and safe access routes. Until affected areas can be inspected and declared safe, pupils and staff are not permitted to return.
Although the council initially said that other establishments on the campus would open, this was overtaken by the later heating failure, which forced the wider Barony Campus to close.
What families in Kilmarnock and East Ayrshire should expect
The council has told parents and carers that:
- Pupils at all affected schools should not attend in person on Monday 5 January.
- Further updates will be provided during the day once inspections and repair work continue.
- Decisions on reopening, temporary accommodation or alternative learning arrangements will depend on whether heating and flood-related safety issues are resolved.
At this stage, no confirmation has been given on remote learning or alternative provision.
Why this matters locally
Barony Campus and Robert Burns Academy form one of the most important education hubs in East Ayrshire. Their closure affects a large number of families across Kilmarnock and nearby communities, disrupting early-years childcare, primary education, secondary schooling and additional-support services at the same time.
The situation also highlights how winter weather and ageing infrastructure can quickly trigger widespread school disruption across Scotland, with a single combination of flooding and heating failure enough to shut down an entire campus.
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