On Friday 31st October 2025, pupils and staff at South Ayrshire Skills Academy (SASKiA) proudly welcomed guests to celebrate the grand opening of their new barista café – Déja Bru and to mark the milestone of the 150th Innovative School Project funded by DYW Ayrshire.

South Ayrshire Skills Academy (SASKiA) is a specialist learning provision designed for S4 pupils who have become disengaged from the mainstream curriculum. The service provides a flexible alternative curriculum in conjunction with the pupil’s current educational establishment.

This exciting initiative, funded by DYW Ayrshire, South Ayrshire Education and the Health and Social Care Partnership will provide an opportunity for the young people to develop vocational skills and qualifications aligned to the hospitality sector. It will allow them to develop employability and life skills and help prepare them for the world of work. These include confidence, communications, commitment, customer service, customer care and creativity as well as courtesy.

The event opened with a warm welcome from Virtual Head Teacher, Kimberly Kennan, followed by speeches from pupil Kiera, Walter Smith MBE (DYW Ayrshire), and Sheriff Iona Sara MacDonald OBE, Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire & Arran.

In his speech, Walter Smith MBE highlighted the importance of marking this special occasion, celebrating both the launch of Déja Bru as the 150th Innovative School Project, and the remarkable achievement of £1 million of funding invested by DYW Ayrshire into innovative projects across Ayrshire.

A highlight of the day was the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by Sheriff Iona Sara MacDonald OBE, Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire & Arran, formally marking the launch of Déjà Bru.

Distinguished Guests in Attendance

SASKiA was honoured to welcome a number of distinguished guests to the launch event, including:

• Sheriff Iona Sara MacDonald OBE, Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire & Arran

• Mike Stewart, Chair of DYW Ayrshire (Storm Aviation)

• Walter Smith MBE, DYW Ayrshire Business Ambassador

• Jenna Frew, DYW Ayrshire Project Lead

• 

  Lorna McCandlish, Miko Coffee

• Gavin Pitt, Quality Improvement Manager, South Ayrshire Council

• Colleagues from South Ayrshire Council – Education Department

• Parents, carers, and families of the pupils

• Colleagues from South Ayrshire Council – Health & Social Care Department

• Representatives from Police Scotland