Saint Matthew’s Academy is a six-year denominational secondary school situated in Saltcoats, North Ayrshire. The school first opened in October 2007 following the merger of Saint Andrew’s Academy, Saltcoats, and Saint Michael’s Academy, Kilwinning.
The state-of-the-art facilities at St Matthew’s Academy include interactive whiteboard technology and pupil computers in every teaching area. Well-equipped staff bases are located within the main teaching areas, and tutorial rooms on each floor provide space for individual and small-group learning. The school also benefits from extensive sports facilities, including a full-size synthetic pitch, an athletics track and a fitness suite, as well as a 400-seat auditorium and a central social area for pupils.
At present, the school has a teaching staff of 90.3 full-time equivalent (FTE). The Senior Management Team consists of the Head Teacher and 4 Depute Head Teachers. There are 6 Principal Teachers of Pastoral, a Faculty Head of Pupil Support, and 11 Curriculum Leaders, each responsible for managing a group of subjects. The teaching staff are supported by a full complement of Administrative, Technical, Librarian and Pupil Support Assistant staff.
The roll of St Matthew’s Academy is drawn mainly from the ten denominational primary schools across North Ayrshire: St John Ogilvie’s and St Mark’s in Irvine; St Winning’s and St Luke’s in Kilwinning; St John’s in Stevenston; St Anthony’s in Saltcoats; St Peter’s in Ardrossan; St Mary’s in Largs; St Bridget’s in Kilbirnie; and St Palladius’ in Dalry. Pupils who attend these schools have the right to enrol at St Matthew’s, as do pupils from any primary school in North Ayrshire. In our most recent S1 intake, pupils joined us from over 20 different primary schools. The current roll (September 2025) is approximately 1,350. Pupils from all areas other than Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston travel to St Matthew’s Academy by contract bus.
The proportion of S4 pupils returning for S5 in 2024–25 was around 85%, with the S5 to S6 transfer rate being approximately 75%.
