Founded in May 1845, The Glasgow Academy is the oldest continuously independent school in the west of Scotland. It has been co-educational since 1991, when it merged with Westbourne School for Girls. Mergers with Atholl Preparatory School in Milngavie (1999) and Dairsie House School in Newlands (2005) have given parents a choice of three locations for their children in the Nursery to Prep 4 age group, contributing to the school’s enduring success as a school covering the whole of west central Scotland. Children from The Glasgow Academy Milngavie and Newlands transition to our west end campus at Kelvinbridge in Prep 5. The school’s affairs are managed by The Glasgow Academicals’ War Memorial Trust, formed to commemorate the 327 former pupils killed in the war of 1914–18.
Organisation. The Preparatory School roll is 812 pupils (392 boys, 420 girls) between the ages of 3 and 11 and educates pupils from the earliest stages for the work of the Senior School. The Senior School roll is 840 pupils (435 boys, 405 girls). They are prepared for the National Qualifications at National 5 level at the end of S4, Higher at the end of S5 and Advanced Higher or Higher at the end of S6. The Sixth Form provides courses in most subjects leading to presentation at Advanced Higher. Pupils are prepared for entrance to Oxford and Cambridge. The Academy has a history of successes at Oxford, Cambridge and the Scottish Universities. It aims to offer a unique combination of academic, musical, dramatic, sporting, co-curricular, social and outdoor education opportunities, backed up by high levels of pastoral care. There are numerous opportunities for children to develop leadership skills and take on responsibilities.
Buildings. The magnificent main building (1878) contains the Senior School library as its centrepiece and classrooms. Recent purpose-built facilities include a Music School (1994), Art and Design School (1998), Preparatory School (2008) and multiple award-winning science centre, auditorium and hospitality/social area (2015). Two drama studios, a dance studio, rowing studio, medical centre and fitness area were also created in 2015. There are extensive sports facilities, including new astros, rugby/cricket pitches and a water-based hockey pitch.
Health and wellbeing. The school places great importance on supporting pupils’ health and wellbeing. Pupils are at the heart of this with an influential School Council meeting each week, with a HWB sub-committee working in partnership with staff to lead improvement in safeguarding, a regularly reviewed and evolving PSE curriculum, and provision of assemblies and guest speakers on a range of topics relevant to young people’s lives. S6 pupils lead a school buddy system, including the delivery of digital awareness and online safety workshops to younger pupils and parents. The school website features information for parents on how to support their child’s wellbeing.
Music and Drama. Music tuition is offered in a wide range of instruments by 21 tutors. There are Senior, Junior and Theatre Choirs, a Concert Band, Pipe Band, Brass Group, Percussion Ensemble, Orchestra and various Prep School groups. Concerts and large-scale drama productions take place regularly and are supplemented by plays mounted by smaller groups. There are music tours to places such as New York, Rome and Barcelona.
Societies and activities. These range from Basketball, Chess, Debating and Public Speaking to Engineering, Fairtrade and Research clubs. Very large numbers of pupils undertake each section of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and there is a thriving Young Enterprise group. Residential education is an integral part of the curriculum at various stages of both the Prep and Senior schools. These experiences augment the PSE programme by promoting team-building and personal and social development through outdoor challenges.
Games. Teams represent the school in Hockey, Rugby, Cricket, Swimming, Golf, Tennis, Athletics, Netball, Basketball, Rowing, Football, Shooting and Squash. Options include Badminton, Cross-Country running, Dance and Outdoor education.
Combined Cadet Force. The Academy has a strong voluntary contingent with Royal Navy, Army and RAF sections.
Childcare outside school hours. The Academy provides care before and after school for its younger pupils. There is also provision for children between the ages of 3 and 12 through the holidays.
Entrance. Pupils may be registered at any age. The main entry points are (a) in the Preparatory School: age 3, 4 and 10; (b) in the Senior School: age 11 or 12 or for Sixth Form. Bursaries are available for P7–S6.
Fees per term (2023-2024). Preparatory School: P1 £3,335–£3,630, P2 £3,435–£3,738, P3–P4 £3,798–£4,0799, P5 £4,079 P6–P7 £4,778. Senior School: S1–S2 £4,561, S3–S5 £4,950, S6 £4,950 (Autumn & Spring Terms), £4,037 (Summer Term).
Charitable status. The Glasgow Academy is a Registered Charity, number SC015638. It exists to provide education for girls and boys.
Governors & Staff:
Chair of Governors: Mrs J Gotts, MA Hons
Nominated and Elected Governors:
Andrew Calder, MA Hons
Donald Carmichael, BAcc, CA
Chris Cockburn, BArch Hons, RIBA, RIAS
Paul Frame, LLB Hons
Margaret Khnichich, BAcc, CA, CTA
Punam Krishan, MRCGP, DFSRH
Scott Massey, BSc Hons
Elaine McCallum, MA, PGCert Acc, PGDE, PGDip Guidance
Stuart Paterson, BA, CA, MBCS
Richard Smith, LLB, DipLP, NP
Matthew Walters, MBE, MB, ChB, MSc, FRCP, MD
Secretary: Thomas W Gemmill, LLB, NP
Rector: M K Pearce, BA Dunelm
Deputy Rector and Head of Senior School: M Gibson, BSc Edinburgh, PhD Edinburgh
Deputy Heads:
Academic: A N MacRae, BSc Strathclyde
Pastoral: Mrs K R Graham, BSc Newcastle-upon-Tyne, MEd Aberdeen
Senior Phase: G Spreng, MA Glasgow
Operations: I Mackie, BSc Glasgow
Heads of Department:
Art & Design: Ms N Umer, MA Kingston
Biology: J Laycock, BSc Edinburgh
Chemistry: C A Main, MSci, PhD Glasgow
Classics: S A A McKellar, MA Glasgow
Computing Science: Mrs J E McDonald, MA Glasgow
Drama: G E Waltham, MA Glasgow
Economics & Business Studies: A Taylor, BA Glasgow
English: Mrs A F Watters, MA St Andrews
Food Technology: Ms C Dolan, BSc Manchester Metropolitan
Geography: Mrs V Magowan, MA Glasgow
History & Modern Studies: S M Wood, MA St Andrews
Mathematics: K.M Russell, BSc Heriot-Watt, PG Advanced Dip Mathematics Hull
Modern Languages: Mrs E B Holland, MA Glasgow
Music: T E Mills, BMus Bangor
Physics: Mrs H McMillan, BSc Strathclyde
Physical Education/Sport:
Director of Sport: Mrs R Toft, BEd Heriot-Watt
Head of PE: M A Manson, BA Strathclyde
Head of Rugby: J Gordon, BSc Edinburgh Napier
Outdoor Education: Ms R Goolden, Mountain Instructor Certificate, Outdoor Education Dip. & National Governing Body Awards, Newbury College
Learning Support: Mrs A A Harvie, BA Strathclyde, PGDip Ind Admin Glasgow Caledonian
Careers: A J McCaskey, MA Glasgow
Counsellor: Mrs A F Young, MA Glasgow, MRes Strathclyde, PGDip Psychodynamic Counselling West of Scotland, BACP
Preparatory School:
Head: A Mathewson, BEd Strathclyde
Head of Lower Prep: Miss L Smith, MA Glasgow
Head of Upper Prep: S Fairlie-Clarke, BSc Glasgow, PGDip Napier
The Glasgow Academy Milngavie:
Head: Miss J McMorran, DCE, PGDip, DipTEFL
The Glasgow Academy Newlands:
Head: Mrs A MacLeod, BA Strathclyde, PGDE
After-school Care:
After-school Care Manager: Mrs C Bremridge, BA Childhood Practice Glasgow
Administration/Finance:
Chief Operating Officer: G Halliday, FCBI
Admissions/Development:
Director of External Relations: S A Dignall, BA Strathclyde
Rector’s PA: Mrs L Fletcher
Administration Manager and PA to COO: Mrs C McLaren
Combined Cadet Force:
Contingent Commander: Major A Mathewson
SSI: Major C J Duff
Chaplains:
Revd D J M Carmichael, MA, BD
Revd A Frater, BA, BD
Rev. N Galbraith
Revd G Kirkwood, BSc, BD, PGCE
Revd S Matthews, BD, MA