Hermitage Academy, Helensburgh facts for kids
Hermitage Academy is a secondary school in Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is a school open to everyone, no matter their religion. It is one of two secondary schools in the Helensburgh area. Hermitage Academy is currently the largest secondary school in Argyll and Bute.
Quick facts for kids Hermitage Academy |
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|---|---|
| Address | |
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Cardross Road
, Argyll & Bute
,
G84 7LA
Scotland
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| Information | |
| Type | Secondary school |
| Motto | Nulla Virtus Sine Labore |
| Established | 1880 |
| Head Teacher | Douglas Morgan |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Enrolment | 1,260 |
| Colour(s) | |
| Website | http://www.hermitageacademy.argyll-bute.sch.uk |
The school serves a wide area. This area stretches from the Firth of Clyde to Loch Lomond. It also includes the Rest and be thankful pass. Besides Helensburgh, it covers villages like Cardross, Rhu, Shandon, Garelochhead, Clynder, Rosneath, Kilcreggan, Arrochar, Tarbet, and Luss. Because this area crosses the Highland Boundary Fault Line, the school is special. It is considered both a Lowland and a Highland school.
Contents
School History and Buildings
Hermitage Academy first opened in 1880. Its original building was on East Argyle Street. This first building had four classrooms and a music room. It was designed to hold up to 500 students.
Over time, the school grew. In 1966, a new building was constructed. This new secondary school was located at Campbell Drive in Helensburgh. However, it soon became too small for all the students. So, a second building of the same size was built next to it.
In February 2008, the school moved again. It relocated to a brand new campus. This modern campus is on the edge of town. The school's badge still shows the main entrance of the very first Hermitage School building.
School Leadership
The school has had several head teachers. Robert Williamson was the Head Teacher until the end of the school term in 2020. Before joining Hermitage in 2017, Mr. Williamson led Drumchapel High School. He took over from Geoff Urie, who retired in June 2017.
After Mr. Urie, David Mitchell was the temporary Head Teacher. He was the permanent Head Teacher of Dunoon Grammar School. Douglas Morgan became the Acting Head Teacher in January 2021. He was then appointed as the permanent Head Teacher in November 2022.
School Motto and Students
The school's motto is Nulla Virtus Sine Labore. This Latin phrase means "Nothing Achieved Without Hard Work." It reminds students that effort is important for success.
In November 2018, Hermitage Academy had 1284 students. It also had almost 100 teaching staff members.
Famous People Who Attended Hermitage Academy
Many notable people have studied at Hermitage Academy. Here are a few:
- Marco Biagi – He was a Minister in the Scottish Government.
- Hazel Irvine – A well-known BBC sports presenter and journalist.
- Ross King – He works as a correspondent in Los Angeles for ITV morning shows.
- Nigel Healey – An academic who is currently a Vice-President at the University of Limerick.
- Stephen Park – A former Team GB sailor. He is now a performance director for British Cycling.
- Derek Parlane – A famous footballer who played for Rangers, Leeds United, and Scotland.
- Luke Patience – A sailor who won a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
- Richard Tait – He created the popular board game Cranium. He also worked for Microsoft.
- Very Rev Peter Donald Thomson – He was the leader of the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1934.
- Tom Gallacher – A Scottish playwright.
- Lawrence Chaney – A famous drag queen who won the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK.
