Aberdeen Grammar School

History

Early history

The exact date of the school's founding is unknown; however, research done to mark the school's 750th anniversary led to the belief it was formed in c. 1256, which is the date that is now used for official school purposes. The earliest documented date of its existence is in the Burgh Records of 1418, when the Lord Provost and Council nominated John Homyll to replace the recently deceased Andrew of Chivas as "Master of the Schools". Originally on Schoolhill, near the site of the current Robert Gordon's College, the curriculum consisted of Latin, Greek and ancient geography.

In 1580, new pupils were reprimanded, under the penalty of £10, if they did not show good behaviour or did not listen to their Magistrates or masters. In 1612, the pupils, many of whom were related to the gentry in the country, rioted with pistols and hagbuts, and took over part of the school. The masters stopped the riot, and 21 pupils were expelled, while some were arrested.

Recent history

In 1986, the original building was devastated by a fire, destroying most of the rooms including the large library, a collection of Byron's notebooks, the trophy room and other classrooms, although the historic facade was mostly undamaged.

The school and FPs club own the 18 acre Rubislaw Playing Fields at a site about a mile away from the main school building. Shared with the former pupils' club, the location has rugby union pitches with a stand, football pitches, grass hockey pitches and an artificial hockey pitch built in 2005.

In recent years the school has been the site of a number of newsworthy events, including a protest against PETA, the painting pink of an entire temporary classroom block, and a bomb threat.

The school marked its 750th anniversary year in 2007 with a series of fund-raising events, the proceeds of which went towards buying a new school minibus. Also in 2007, work was completed on a new gymnasium, begun two years previously.

In February 2019, the school was shut for a suspected gas leak.

Present day

Today the school is run by Aberdeen City Council in accordance with the Scottish Executive's educational guidelines for state schools. In the 2013/14 academic year, the education of each pupil at the Grammar School specifically cost £4,252.

In the session 2018–2019, 61% of leavers received a qualification equivalent of five Highers or more. Furthermore, 83% gained 5 or more National 5s and 27% gained 2 or more Advanced Highers.

Pupils and catchment area

About 1100 pupils attend the school each year, between the ages of about 11 to 18. The school's catchment area centres on the west end of the city, including Rosemount and Mannofield. There are five main primary schools that feed into the school, located throughout the centre and west-end of Aberdeen: Ashley Road Primary School, Gilcomstoun Primary School, Mile-End School, Skene Square Primary School and St Joseph’s Primary School. Under the Parent's Charter, children from other areas can attend the school after successful application by parents. Places using this method are limited for each year.

, of the schools in Scotland with the ten highest academic achievements, the school has the most inexpensive houses within its catchment zone.

Colour System & Achievements

Three colour awards are made. The first, 'Bronze Colours', issued in the third year of the school, are represented by a red ribbon on the breast pocket of the school blazer. This level requires two years of participation in an extra-curricular activity.

The second, 'Silver Colours' are awarded in fifth or sixth year and represented by a light blue tie (replacing the navy, red and white tie). Pupils must participate in the activity throughout fourth and fifth year for this award.

The third, 'Gold Colours' is the final level of the colours system. Pupils must demonstrate a very high level of attainment, performance and achievement to be eligible for this award. It is represented by red braiding outlining the rims of the school blazer.

'International Colours' are awarded to pupils who have represented their country at international level. It is marked by silver braiding around the blazer.

'Citizenship Colours' are awarded for an outstanding contribution to the school community and are represented by a silver tie.

Rectors

The rector is the head of the school. Records show there were 26 rectors between 1418 and 1881.

1. James Cromar (1803–1825) Headmaster for 22 years, pivotal in the school's early development.
2. William Barrack (1860–1868) Led the school during a period of significant growth.
3. Alexander Martin (1869-1893)
4. Henry Fife Morland Simpson (1893–1920) Introduced educational reforms during his 27-year tenure.
5. Douglas Gordon Miller (1921-1923)
6. D.M. Andrew (1924–1942) Managed the school through the interwar period.
7. James Jackson Robertson (1942-1973)
8. Robert Douglas Gill (1973- 2004)
9. Graham Legge (2004- 2015)
10. Alison Murison (2015–Present) Current head, overseeing modern developments at the school.

Notable alumni and teachers

• Russell Anderson, Scotland international footballer, captain of Aberdeen F.C.
• James Beattie, professor of moral philosophy and logic at the University of Aberdeen
• George Boyne, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Aberdeen
• Lord Byron, poet, famous poems include Childe Harold's Pilgrimage and Don Juan; his statue stands in front of the school
• Zoey Clark, British athlete
• Craig Clunas, historian of Chinese art; Emeritus Professor of the History of Art, University of Oxford
• Robin Cook, former cabinet member and Secretary of State
• Martin Dalby, composer
• David Ferrier, FRS, neurologist and psychologist
• James Gibbs 18th century architect
• Paul Gough, Vice-Chancellor, Arts University Bournemouth, and Chair of UKADIA
• Iain Gray, chief executive, technology strategy board and former MD Airbus UK
• Neil Kemsley, sportsman (cricket and badminton)
• Robert Daniel Lawrence, early recipient of insulin injections, founder of the British Diabetic Association, now Diabetes_UK
• Eric Linklater, novelist, author of Magnus Merriman and Juan in America
• William Lumsden, cricketer and British Army officer
• Hector Munro Macdonald, Scottish mathematician and Fellow of the Royal Society in 1901, and Edinburgh in 1905; was awarded the Royal Society Royal Medal in 1916
• David Masson, Scottish writer
• James Melvin (1795–1853), Latin scholar and rector (1826–53)
• John Macleod (physiologist), recipient of the 1923 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine
• John McLeod (composer)
• John Bryce McLeod Scottish mathematician and Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1974, Fellow of the Royal Society of London in 1992, awarded the Royal Society of Edinburgh Keith medal and prize in 1987, London Mathematical Society Naylor Prize and Lectureship in 2011
• Michael Sheard (1938-2005) Scottish character actor known for playing villains (including Mr Bronson in Grange Hill and Admiral Ozzel in The Empire Strikes Back)
• Steve Robertson of "Scotland the What?"
• John Smith (architect)
• William Smith (architect)
• Annie Wallace, actress
• David Wedderburn (teacher), wrote Vocabula in 1636
• John David Maitland Wright (1942-2023), research professor of mathematics at the University of Aberdeen, professor of mathematics at the University of Reading and Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1978

References

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