George Heriot's School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids George Heriot's School |
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Lauriston Place
, EH3 9EQ
Scotland
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| Coordinates | 55°56′45″N 3°11′40″W / 55.945918°N 3.194317°W |
| Information | |
| Former name | George Heriot's Hospital |
| Type | Private day school |
| Motto | Impendo (I Distribute Chearfullie) |
| Established | 1628 |
| Founder | George Heriot |
| Oversight | George Heriot's Trust |
| Chairman of Governors | Joyce Cullen |
| Principal | Gareth Warren |
| Staff | approx. 80 |
| Teaching staff | 155 |
| Gender | Co-educational |
| Age | 3 to 18 |
| Enrolment | approx. 1600 |
| Houses | Castle Greyfriars Lauriston Raeburn |
| Colour(s) | Navy Blue, White |
| Song | The Merry Month of June |
| Publication | The Herioter |
George Heriot's School is a private school in Edinburgh, Scotland. It teaches students from primary to secondary school age. The school is located on Lauriston Place.
Today, over 1600 students attend the school. There are 155 teachers and 80 other staff members. The school started in 1628 as George Heriot's Hospital. It was founded by George Heriot, who was a royal goldsmith. The school officially opened in 1659. It is managed by George Heriot's Trust, which is a Scottish charity.
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School Buildings and Design
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The main building of George Heriot's School is famous for its renaissance architecture. This style was popular in Europe from the 14th to 17th centuries. William Wallace began designing the building in 1628. After he died in 1631, other master masons like William Aytoun and John Mylne continued the work. In 1676, Sir William Bruce helped finish the central tower.
The school building has towers and surrounds a large central courtyard, called a quadrangle. It is made of sandstone. The first stone was laid in 1628. Each window has unique decorations, except for two on the ground floor. A statue of the school's founder, George Heriot, stands in the quadrangle.
This main building was the first large structure built outside Edinburgh's old city walls. It is near Greyfriars Kirk, a church built in 1620. Edinburgh Castle can be seen from the school grounds. Parts of the old city wall, called the Telfer Wall, are now part of the school's boundaries.
Building Changes Over Time
When it was first built, only the front of the school facing north was made of fine stone. The other sides were rougher. In 1833, these rougher sides were also covered in fine stone. This happened because a new entrance was made on Lauriston Place. Alexander Black, who was the school's Superintendent of Works, managed this change.
Other buildings on the school grounds have been added over the years. The south gatehouse was built in 1829. The chapel's inside was designed in 1837. The school hall, built in 1893, has a special hammerbeam roof. A science block was added in 1887. The chemistry block was built in 1911.
The school grounds also have other buildings, including a former swimming pool. A granite war memorial from 1922 honors students and teachers who died in World War I and World War II.
School History
George Heriot died in 1624. He left a large sum of money, about £3 million in today's money. He wanted to create a "hospital," which meant a charitable school. This school would care for "poor, fatherless children" and children of Edinburgh citizens who had fallen on hard times.
Early Years and Growth
Construction of Heriot's Hospital began in 1628. It was outside the city walls. During the Third English Civil War, Oliver Cromwell's English forces used the building as a barracks. They even kept their horses in the chapel. The school finally opened in 1659 with thirty sick children. As the school's money grew, it started taking in other students, not just orphans.
By the late 1700s, the George Heriot's Trust bought a lot of land. This land was in an area called Broughton. They rented out this land, which brought in a lot of money for the Trust. This helped the school grow and support more students.
Changes in the 19th and 20th Centuries
In 1846, there was a student uprising at the school. Fifty-two boys were sent home. This led to discussions about how "hospital" schools were run. Some people thought separating boys from their homes was not good. They also noted that many students were not actually fatherless.
Duncan McLaren, a leader in Edinburgh, pushed for changes. He wanted fewer boys living at the school. He also wanted to use the school's money to open "outdoor" schools. These were schools outside the main building. Between 1838 and 1885, the Trust opened 13 schools for older children and 8 for younger children across Edinburgh. These schools were free to attend. At their peak, nearly 5,000 students went to these Heriot schools.
Later, the outdoor schools were closed or rented out. This was part of bigger changes to education in Scotland. The main Heriot's Hospital became a day school in 1885. It charged a small fee. It focused on modern and technical subjects. Up to 120 students, called "foundationers," still received free education.
Heriot-Watt University and Modern Era
In 1885, the "Watt Institution and School of Arts" joined with the Heriot Trust. It was renamed the Heriot-Watt College. This was done to support technical education in Edinburgh. The school and college were run by the same board until 1927. In 1966, the college became Heriot-Watt University.
In 1979, George Heriot's School started admitting girls, becoming co-educational. Today, the school continues its original charitable goal. It provides free education to children who have lost a parent. These students are still called "foundationers." In 2012, the school was ranked as Edinburgh's best school based on exam results.
School Leaders
Here is a list of the headmasters and principals of the school. The year given is when they started their role.
- 1659 James Lawson
- 1664 David Davidsone
- 1669 David Browne
- 1670 William Smeaton
- 1673 Harry Moresone
- 1699 James Buchan
- 1702 John Watson
- 1720 David Chrystie
- 1734 William Matheson
- 1735 John Hunter
- 1741 William Halieburton
- 1741 John Henderson
- 1757 James Colvill
- 1769 George Watson
- 1773 William Hay
- 1782 Thomas Thomson
- 1792 David Cruikshank
- 1794 James Maxwell Cockburn
- 1795 George Irvine
- 1805 John Somerville
- 1816 John Christison
- 1825 James Boyd
- 1829 Hector Holme
- 1839 William Steven
- 1844 James Fairburn
- 1854 Frederick W. Bedford
- 1880 David Fowler Lowe
- 1908 John Brown Clark
- 1926 William Gentle
- 1942 William Carnon
- 1947 William Dewar
- 1970 Allan McDonald
- 1983 Keith Pearson
- 1997 Alistair Hector
The title of Headmaster changed to Principal later on.
- 2014 (January) Gareth Doodes
- 2014 (September) Cameron Wyllie (Acting)
- 2014 (December) Cameron Wyllie
- 2018 (January) Mrs Lesley Franklin
- 2021 (August) Gareth Warren
Other Important Staff
- James Craik, Classics, c.1822 to c.1832
- John Watt Butters, Maths, 1888 to 1899
- James Stagg, Science, 1921 to 1923
- Donald Hastie, Games, 1949 to 1979 (He was one of the first full-time games masters in Scotland.)
- Ray Milne, French and German, 1974 to 1978
- Sam Mort, English and Drama (1997 to 2001), later a chief of communication for UNICEF in Afghanistan.
Sports and Activities
George Heriot's School offers many sports and extra-curricular activities. Former students have their own clubs, like the Heriot's Rugby Club and Heriot's Cricket Club. These clubs use the school's Goldenacre grounds. The George Heriot's School Rowing Club competes nationally. The school also has a pipe band. Around 120 students take music lessons.
Famous Former Students
Many notable people have attended George Heriot's School.
Academia and Science
- George Alexander Carse (1880 – 1950) - a physicist.
- J. W. S. Cassels, FRS (1922 – 2015) - a mathematician.
- Henry Daniels, FRS (1912 – 2000) - a statistician.
- Robin Ferrier (1932 – 2013) - an organic chemist.
- Sir George Taylor (botanist) (1904 - 1993) - a botanist.
- Sir Thomas Dalling (1892 - 1982) - a professor of Animal Pathology.
- John Borthwick Gilchrist (1759 – 1841) - an expert in Indian studies.
- Professor Sir Abraham Goldberg (1923 – 2007) - a professor of Medicine.
- Professor Hyman Levy (1889 – 1975) - a philosopher and mathematician.
- Sir Harry (Work) Melville (1908 – 2000) - a polymer chemist.
- Professor Hamish Scott (b. 1946) - a historian.
- Professor Gordon Turnbull - a psychiatrist.
- Professor Douglas C. Heggie (b. 1947) - a professor of Mathematical Astronomy.
- Alexander Burns Wallace (1906–1974) - a plastic surgeon.
Media and Arts
- Nick Abbot (b. 1960) - a radio broadcaster.
- Ian Bairnson (b. 1953) - a musician.
- Emun Elliott (b. 1983) - an actor.
- Gavin Esler (b. 1953) - a television journalist.
- Mark Goodier (b. 1961) - a radio disc jockey.
- Mike Heron (b. 1942) - a musician.
- Roy Kinnear (1934 – 1988) - an actor.
- Duncan Hendry (1951 - 2003) - a chief executive in performing arts.
- Iain Macwhirter (b. 1953) - a journalist.
- Henry Raeburn (1756 – 1823) - a famous painter.
- Ian Richardson (1934 – 2007) - an actor.
- Mike Scott (musician) (b. 1958) - a musician and composer.
- Alastair Sim (1900 – 1976) - an actor.
- Ken Stott (b. 1955) - an actor.
- Bryan Swanson (b. 1980) - a sports reporter.
- Nigel Tranter (1909 – 2000) - a historical novelist.
- Robert Urquhart (1921 – 1995) - an actor.
- Charlotte Wells - a film director.
- Paul Young (actor) (b. 1944) - an actor.
Law and Politics
- Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh (b. 1970) - a politician.
- Euan Duthie, Lord Duthie (b.1975) – a Scottish judge.
- James Mackay, Baron Mackay of Clashfern (b. 1927) - a former Lord Chancellor.
- David McLetchie (1952 – 2013) - a former leader of the Scottish Conservatives.
- Doug Naysmith (b. 1941) - a politician and former Member of Parliament.
- Keith Stewart, Baron Stewart of Dirleton - HM Advocate General for Scotland.
- Gordon Prentice (b. 1951) - a politician and former Member of Parliament.
- Stephen Woolman, Lord Woolman (b. 1953) - a judge.
- Kenneth Borthwick (1915 – 2017) - a former Lord Provost of Edinburgh.
- Sir Adam Wilson (1814 – 1891) - a former mayor of Toronto.
Sports
- Bruce Douglas (b. 1980) - a Rugby Union player.
- Charles Groves (1896–1969) - a cricketer.
- Andy Irvine (b. 1951) - a Rugby Union international player.
- Iain Milne (b. 1956) - a Rugby Union player.
- Kenny Milne (b. 1961) - a Rugby Union player.
- Robert More (b. 1980) - a cricketer.
- John Mushet (1875–1965) - a cricketer.
- Gordon Ross (b. 1978) - a Rugby Union player.
- Ken Scotland (b. 1936) - a Rugby Union international player.
- Polly Swann (b. 1988) - a Rowing World Champion.
- Douglas Walker (b. 1973) - a sprinter.
Military
- Colonel Clive Fairweather (1944 – 2012) - second in command of the SAS during the Iranian Embassy siege.
- David Stuart McGregor (1895 – 1918) - a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross.
Religion
- Graham Forbes (b. 1951) - Provost of St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh.
- Hector Bransby Gooderham (1901 – 1977) - a priest.
- Gordon Keddie (b. 1944) - a minister and theologian.
- James Pitt-Watson (1893–1962) - a theologian.
- Brian Smith (bishop) (b. 1943) - Bishop of Edinburgh (2001–2011).
Other Notable People
- James Aitken, aka "John the Painter" (1752 – 1777) - a mercenary.
- Hippolyte Blanc (1844 – 1917) - an architect.
- Archie Forbes (1913 – 1999) - a colonial administrator.
- Norman Irons (b. 1941) - a former Lord Provost of Edinburgh.
- Sir Andrew Hunter Arbuthnot Murray (1903 – 1977) - a former Lord Provost of Edinburgh.
- Stuart Harris (1920 – 1997) - an architect and historian.
Images for kids
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Front view of Heriot's Hospital
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Heriot's Hospital, Edinburgh by Henry Fox Talbot, 1844
