This system changed in the late 1960s when it became a full six-year comprehensive, nearly tripling the school roll to 1800.

To cope with the increase the South Commonhead Avenue site's existing 'A-Block' was expanded into a larger campus with specific buildings for Science and Technology and a fourth 'House Block' with six dining halls and three floors of modern classrooms.

Instead, parents and pupils were invited to select a design for a new Airdrie Academy to be built on the playing fields of its current site.

The selected design - similar to most other new schools in the county - was completed in October 2006 and is considerably smaller.

Over the remaining academic year, the old buildings were demolished and the land prepared for new sports fields.