Aberdeen Grammar School

Aberdeen Grammar School is a state secondary school in Aberdeen, Scotland. It is one of thirteen secondary schools run by the Aberdeen City Council educational department. It is the oldest school in the city and one of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom, with a history spanning more than 750 years. Founded around 1256, the year used in official school records, it began operating as a boys' school. On Skene Street, near the centre of the city, it was originally situated on Schoolhill, near the current site of Robert Gordon's College. It moved to its current site in 1863, and became co-educational in 1973. In 1970 the school's name was changed by the City of Aberdeen Education Committee to a more accurate, less ceremonial "Rubislaw Academy" but in 1977 the name was reverted to "Aberdeen Grammar School" by the Grampian Regional Council, who at that point were responsible for education in Aberdeen. Although the school is named Aberdeen Grammar School, the school is not a grammar school. The state school does not choose its own students and instead has a catchment zone like other schools in Aberdeen, Scotland. In an annual survey run by the British broadsheet newspaper The Times, Aberdeen Grammar was rated the 15th best Scottish state secondary school in 2019, and second in Aberdeen behind Cults Academy. The most notable former student is Lord Byron, the Romantic poet and writer. He spent a short time at the school before he returned to England aged ten. A statue of him was erected in the front courtyard of the school. Alumni include Scottish international footballer Russell Anderson, mathematician Hector Munro Macdonald. 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 (7.3 ha) 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. As of 2023, of the schools in Scotland with the ten highest academic achievements, the school has the most inexpensive houses within its catchment zone. Rectors The rector is the head of the school. Records show there were 26 rectors between 1418 and 1881. James Cromar (1803–1825) Headmaster for 22 years, pivotal in the school's early development. William Barrack (1860–1868) Led the school during a period of significant growth. Alexander Martin (1869-1893) Henry Fife Morland Simpson (1893–1920) Introduced educational reforms during his 27-year tenure. Douglas Gordon Miller (1921-1923) D.M. Andrew (1924–1942) Managed the school through the interwar period. James Jackson Robertson (1942-1959) John Vass Skinner (1959-1973) Robert Douglas Gill (1973- 2004) Graham Legge (2004- 2015) Alison Murison (2015–Present) Current head, overseeing modern developments at the school. Notable alumni and teachers See also List of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom References External links Grammar School Webpage Aberdeen Grammar School's page on Parentzone