Paisley Grammar School

Paisley Grammar School

Head Teacher	Ms Caroline Amos
Depute Head Teacher	Mrs Allison Dalziel
School type	Secondary
Associated Primary Schools	Gallowhill, Mossvale, Todholm, Ralston, Williamsburgh
Founded	1586
Location	Glasgow Road, Paisley, PA1 3RP
Roll	1,586
School website	http://www.paisley-gs.renfrewshire.sch.uk

Paisley Grammar School, situated on Glasgow Road, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, and dating from 1586, is a Scottish non-denominational state school.

In 1986 when threatened with imminent closure by Strathclyde Regional Council, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher intervened personally to ensure the survival of the school. The law was changed so that local councils could no longer close schools which were more than 80% full without approval by the Secretary of State for Scotland. Soon after the council was forced to drop its plans.

Notable former pupils

Notable former pupils include:

• David Tennant – (formerly David MacDonald); Actor (The current Doctor in Doctor Who)
• Andrew Neil – Journalist and broadcaster
• Douglas R. Mill – Chief Executive of The Law Society of Scotland
• Colin Campbell – (Scottish politician) former Scottish National Party Member of the Scottish Parliament
• Kenyon Wright (Chairman of the Scottish Constitutional Convention
• Fred Goodwin – CEO of the Royal Bank of Scotland
• John Macquarrie – sometime Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity, University of Oxford, and Canon Residentiary, Christ Church, Oxford
• Omer Hussain – Scottish cricket internationalist
• Ann McKechin – MP Glasgow North
• Martin Smith – politician
• Douglas Alexander – Football Journalist The Sunday Times Scotland
• Brian Reid – Former footballer Morton, Nottingham Forest, Rangers, Queen of the South
• Tom Urie – actor
• Jacqui Lait Politician and first Conservative female Whip

Rectors

There have been many Rectors of this prestigious school over its history, most recently, John Clarke OBE (1937 - 1956), Ninian A. Jamieson (1956 - 1966), Robert Y. Corbett (1966 - 1988), Hugh H Nisbet (1988 - 1995) and John C Pears (1995 - 2006). Hugh Nisbet is also a former pupil of the school. John Pears and Hugh Nisbet are the only two current living former Rectors of the school.

Clubs and societies

The school offers a wide variety of clubs and activities for the pupils, including:

• Rugby S1&2/S3&4/S5&6
• Theatregoers S6
• Prayer Group S1 – S6
• Scripture Union S5&6
• X-Factor S1 – S3
• Hockey S4 – S6
• Lifelines S1&2
• Quiz Club S1 – S6
• Heartstart S1 – S3
• Puzzle Club S1
• Science Club S1&2
• Basketball S1 – S3
• Fair Trade S1 – S6
• Skiing S1 – S6
• Netball S1&2 S3-S6
• Football (girls) S1 – S6
• Debating Club S3 – S6
• Duke of Edinburgh S3&4
• Football (boys) S1 – S6
• Badminton S1&2
• Girls Running Club
• Choir, Concert Band, String Group, Celtic
• Band, Various Rock Groups S1 – S6

Uniform

The School has an optional uniform policy:

• White or light blue blouse or shirt
• School tie
• Navy blue or black skirt
• Black tailored trousers
• Navy blue pullover or v-necked sweatshirt
• Black shoes
• Navy blue blazer with school badge

Oriflamme

The School's song is Oriflamme and its words are by Alexander Campbell and the music is by Robert Provan. The words are as follows:

 The torch of our yesterdays
 Was kindled by a royal hand.
 To bear the Oriflamme always,
 And keep it splendid and ablaze,
 Was his command.

 The torch has ever burned with light
 Inspiring, down the days of dust.
 They held it sacred in his sight.
 To pass it on, a beacon bright:
 It was their trust.

 The torch, long borne of storied fame
 Our eager hands are grasping now.
 That we shall tend its vital flame
 In loyal service to his name
 This be our vow.