Ardrossan Academy is a Scottish secondary school, opened in October 1882, serving Ardrossan, with pupils also coming from nearby Saltcoats, West Kilbride, Seamill, Fairlie, Largs and other areas. Notable alumni June Andrews, nursing expert, director of NHS Scotland Centre for Change and Innovation, professor of dementia studies at University of Stirling Tom Black, cricketer Peter Duncan, MP, chairman of the Scottish Conservative Party Sir William Barr McKinnon Duncan, chief executive of Rolls-Royce Janice Galloway, writer (The Trick is to Keep Breathing, etc) William Hilton, MP, trade unionist, director general of the Federation of Master Builders Roy Howat, internationally renowned French music scholar and performer Gordon Jackson QC, former MSP, lawyer Edith MacArthur, actress Iain McNicol, General Secretary, Labour Party Notable staff John Watt Butters (1863–1946), noted mathematician, was Rector 1899–1928 John Aitkenhead, teacher, co-founder of Kilquhanity School Morag Aitkenhead (Robina Roy MacKinnon), teacher, co-founder of Kilquhanity School References External links Former official website (still useful for its archives) Secondary schools in North Ayrshire Educational institutions established in 1882 1882 establishments in Scotland Ardrossan−Saltcoats−Stevenston