East Ayrshire serves a population of approximately 119,290 covering the geographic area from Stewarton in the north to New Cumnock in the south. The Council has an area of 1,262 square kilometres. From east to west it stretches from Crosshouse to Muirkirk. There are 63 publicly funded schools, including 47 primaries, 9 secondaries and 7 special schools. 16,971 pupils attend these schools, including 9,053 primary pupils, 7,736 secondary pupils and 182 special needs pupils.