In 2013, East Ayrshire Council put forward proposals that would see the merger of both Kilmarnock Academy and James Hamilton Academy. After a period of public consultation, it was decided to merge both schools along with the merger of both New Farm Primary School and Early Childhood Centre and Silverwood Primary School to create a new single primary school and Early Childhood Centre on the same site as the secondary school. The new super school will be located adjacent to the site that currently houses the existing James Hamilton Academy building, meaning Kilmarnock Academy will move from its current location where it has been since the 1800s. The programme of merging the secondary and primary schools in scheduled to take place in March 2018 for pupils moving into the new building in April 2018. Both schools will be situated on the William McIlvanney Campus, named after Kilmarnock-born author William McIlvanney, who died in 2015.