Williamwood High School
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2008) |
| Williamwood High School | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1930 |
| Type | Secondary School |
| Headmaster | John Fitzpatrick OBE |
| Teaching staff | 114.3 FTE |
| Location | Eaglesham Road,G76 8RF, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom |
| District | East Renfrewshire |
| Colours | Black, Blue, Gold |
| Emblem | Tree |
| Website | Official Website |
Williamwood High School, located in Busby, East Renfrewshire, is a non denominational state school. It has a school roll of over 1600 pupils and was recently built, replacing the old school on Seres road in Williamwood. The new school was officially opened on 11 December 2006 by the then First Minister of Scotland, Jack McConnell MSP.
The school achieves excellently in all Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education inspections and always rates very highly in the Scottish league tables. The school also achieves well in extra curricular activities including sports, where the school has received many national and international accolades and awards[citation needed].
Contents |
[edit] Old and new
The older building, built in the 1930s, was becoming old and impractical. Several other schools in the area such as Netherlee Primary School were modernised around it, with the original building remaining untouched. Over time various extensions and additions, including new PE facilities and exterior Portakabin buildings as extra classrooms, were added. It was announced in 2003/2004 that a new school would be built under the PPP scheme by the private company HBG[1]. Once built, they would take control of the school ensuring it was well maintained, replacing any broken fixtures, and ensuring the running of the school building.
In August 2006 the new £29 million school opened. It features over 69 classrooms, each fitted with interactive whiteboards, new sports facilities including astroturf pitches and running track, a video editing suite (running Apple Computer Final Cut Pro software), drama studios and an industry standard recording studio[citation needed]. Built around a central "Street" area, with separate "Gallery Café" reserved for 6th years. The new School was officially opened by The Right Honourable Jack McConnell MSP in December. It was remarked that the new school was the "best equipped high school in Britain".[citation needed]
The unoccupied former building was damaged by fire in February 2007. By March 2007 it was completely demolished to make way for development of other building projects[citation needed]. Current headteacher John Fitzpatrick was awarded the OBE in 2011 for services to education. He oversees 6 deputes. The deputes move with their pupils through the school so therefore the head of S6 will become the new head of S1 when the current S6's leave in June.
[edit] Departments
There are 12 departments in Williamwood High School:
- Art and Design - Head of Department is Mrs Coggans.
- BICT (Business Information Communications Technology) - Head of Department is Miss Martin.
- Design and Technology - Head of Department is Mr McIntyre.
- English - Head of Department is Miss MacRobert.
- Food and Textile Technology - Head of Department is Mrs Fulton.
- Modern Languages - Head of Department is Mrs Hugh.
- Mathematics - Head of Department is Mr Stewart.
- Physical Education - Head of Department is Mr O'Neill.
- Performing Arts (Music and Drama) - Head of Department is Mrs Selbie.
- RMPS (Religious Philosophical and Moral Studies)- Head of Department is Mr Ralston.
- Social Subjects (Geography, History and Modern Studies) - Head of Department is Mrs Cheyne.
[edit] Notable former pupils
- Brian Dougans, musician
- Iain Flannigan, professional footballer currently playing for Partick Thistle F.C.
- Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment and Scottish National Party MSP for Moray
- Ross Lyons, Scotland international cricketer
- Stuart McCaffrey, St Johnstone F.C. footballer
- David McVicar, Opera Director
- Euan Murray, British Lions and Scotland international rugby player
- Alexis May, Adult Actress
- Derek Birrel, founder of One Records Live Manager Primal Scream
- Brian Robertson, lead guitarist in Thin Lizzy and Motörhead
- Qasim Sheikh, Scotland international cricketer
- David Weatherston, Falkirk F.C footballer
- Paul Gillon, music Consultant on Sliding Doors and The Jackal starring Bruce Willis and Richard Gere. He has also worked with Bjork, Damien Rice, David Arnold, Skunk Anansie, Acid Jazz Records, The Shamen, etc
[edit] External links
- Official School website containing up to date news about the school.
- BBC league tables site for Williamwood High School
- Williamwood High School's page on Scottish Schools Online
- Scotlands first five star school
Coordinates: 55°46′34″N 4°16′33″W / 55.77611°N 4.27583°W
