Aberdeen Grammar School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aberdeen Grammar School |
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| Address | |
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Skene Street
, AB10 1HT
Scotland
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| Coordinates | 57°08′49″N 2°06′54″W / 57.1468581°N 2.115042°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Secondary school |
| Motto | Bon Record |
| Established | c. 1256 |
| Local authority | Aberdeen City Council |
| Rector | Alison Murison, Ma(Hons) (2015–present) |
| Staff | 77 (2018) |
| Gender | Coeducational (all boys previously) |
| Age | 11 to 18 |
| Enrolment | 1,120 (2018) |
| Houses | Byron Keith and Dun Melvin |
| Colour(s) | Blue, Red, White |
Aberdeen Grammar School is a public secondary school in Aberdeen, Scotland. It is one of thirteen secondary schools managed by the Aberdeen City Council.
This school is the oldest in Aberdeen. It is also one of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom. Its history goes back more than 750 years. The school started around 1256. Back then, it was only for boys. It was first located on Schoolhill. This is near where Robert Gordon's College is today. In 1863, the school moved to its current spot on Skene Street. In 1973, it became a co-educational school. This means both boys and girls could attend.
In 1970, the school's name was changed to "Rubislaw Academy." But in 1977, it went back to "Aberdeen Grammar School." Even though it has "Grammar School" in its name, it's not a traditional grammar school. It's a public school. This means it doesn't pick its students. Instead, students attend based on where they live. This is called a "catchment zone."
In 2019, a newspaper survey rated Aberdeen Grammar as the 15th best public secondary school in Scotland. It was the second best in Aberdeen. Cults Academy was ranked first in the city.
One of the most famous former students is Lord Byron. He was a famous Romantic poet and writer. He studied at the school for a short time. He moved back to England when he was 10 years old. There is a statue of him in the school's front yard. Other notable former students include Scottish international footballer Russell Anderson. Also, the mathematician Hector Munro Macdonald studied here.
Contents
School History
How it Started
No one knows the exact date Aberdeen Grammar School began. But research for its 750th anniversary suggests it started around 1256. This is the date the school now uses. The first time the school is mentioned in records is 1418. At that time, the city leaders chose John Homyll as the new "Master of the Schools." The school was first on Schoolhill. This is close to where Robert Gordon's College is now. Students mainly learned Latin, Greek, and old geography.
In 1580, new students were told to behave well. If they didn't listen to their teachers, they could be fined. In 1612, some students caused trouble. They used small firearms and took over part of the school. The teachers stopped the trouble. Twenty-one students were expelled. Some were even arrested.
More Recent Times
In 1986, a fire badly damaged the original school building. Many rooms were destroyed. This included the big library and a collection of Byron's notebooks. The trophy room and other classrooms were also lost. But the old front of the building was mostly saved.
The school and its former students' club own the Rubislaw Playing Fields. These fields are about 18 acres. They are about a mile from the main school. The fields have rugby union pitches with a stand. There are also football pitches and grass hockey pitches. An artificial hockey pitch was built in 2005.
The school has been in the news for different reasons. In 2002, a temporary classroom block was painted pink as a prank. This happened on "muck-up day."
In 2007, the school celebrated its 750th anniversary. They held events to raise money for a new school minibus. Also in 2007, a new gym was finished. Work on the gym had started two years before. In February 2019, the school closed because of a possible gas leak.
School Life Today
Today, Aberdeen City Council runs the school. They follow the Scottish Executive's guidelines for public schools. In the 2018–2019 school year, many students did well. 61% of students leaving school earned five or more Highers. Highers are important qualifications in Scotland. Also, 83% got 5 or more National 5s. And 27% earned 2 or more Advanced Highers.
Students and Where They Come From
About 1100 students attend the school each year. They are usually between 11 and 18 years old. The school's "catchment area" is in the west end of Aberdeen. This includes areas like Rosemount and Mannofield. Four main primary schools send students to Aberdeen Grammar. These are Ashley Road Primary School, Gilcomstoun Primary School, Mile-End School, and Skene Square Primary School. Parents can also apply for their children to attend. This is even if they live outside the main area. But there are only a few spots available each year.
Colour System and Awards
The school has a special "Colours" system for student achievements. There are three main levels:
- Bronze Colours: These are given in the third year of school. Students get a red ribbon on their blazer pocket. To earn this, they must take part in an extra-curricular activity for two years.
- Silver Colours: These are given in fifth or sixth year. Students get a light blue tie. They must be active in the same activity throughout fourth and fifth year.
- Gold Colours: This is the highest level. Students must show very high skill and achievement. They get red braiding around the edges of their school blazer.
There are also two special awards:
- International Colours: These are for students who represent Scotland in sports or other activities. They get silver braiding around their blazer.
- Citizenship Colours: These are for students who make a great contribution to the school. They receive a silver tie.
School Leaders (Rectors)
The rector is the head of the school. Records show there have been many rectors since 1418.
| Name | Years in Charge |
|---|---|
| James Cromar | 1803–1825 |
| William Barrack | 1860–1868 |
| Henry Fife Morland Simpson | 1893–1920 |
| DM Andrew | 1924–1942 |
Famous Former Students and Teachers
- Russell Anderson, Scotland international footballer. He was captain of Aberdeen F.C..
- James Beattie, a professor of philosophy.
- George Boyne, a leader at the University of Aberdeen.
- Lord Byron, a famous poet. His statue is in front of the school.
- Zoey Clark, a British athlete.
- Robin Cook, a former government minister.
- Martin Dalby, a composer.
- David Ferrier, a neurologist and psychologist.
- James Gibbs, an 18th-century architect.
- Robert Daniel Lawrence, helped found Diabetes_UK.
- Eric Linklater, a novelist.
- Hector Munro Macdonald, a Scottish mathematician.
- David Masson, a Scottish writer.
- James Melvin (1795–1853), a Latin scholar and former rector.
- John Macleod (physiologist), won the Nobel Prize in 1923.
- John McLeod (composer)
- John Bryce McLeod, a Scottish mathematician.
- Michael Sheard (1938-2005), an actor known for roles in Grange Hill and The Empire Strikes Back.
- Steve Robertson of "Scotland the What?"
- John Smith (architect)
- William Smith (architect)
- Annie Wallace, an actress.
- David Wedderburn (a teacher), wrote a book called Vocabula in 1636.
- John David Maitland Wright (1942-2023), a mathematics professor.
Images for kids
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Aberdeen Grammar School building.
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The school's coat of arms.
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A certificate awarded to a pupil in 1915.
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The temporary classroom block painted pink in 2002.
