Inverurie Academy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Inverurie Academy |
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The entrance to the old school building.
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| Address | |
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Off Market Place
Jackson Street , , AB51 3PX
Scotland
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| Coordinates | 57°16′59″N 2°22′38″W / 57.2831°N 2.3772°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Secondary school |
| Motto | Latin: Spiritus Intus Alit (The spirit within sustains) |
| Established | 1909; 115 years ago |
| Local authority | Aberdeenshire Council |
| Rector | Neil Hendry |
| Staff | 96.7 (FTE) |
| Gender | Co-educational |
| Age | 11 to 18 |
| Enrolment | 1292 |
| Houses | Barra Bees
Crichie Chameleons Selbie Stags Harlaw Hawks Davah Dragons Thainstone Thrashers |
| Colour(s) | Navy |
| School years | S1-S6 |
Inverurie Academy is a large secondary school in Inverurie, Scotland. It is a comprehensive school, meaning it welcomes all students from the local area. The school is one of 17 secondary schools managed by Aberdeenshire Council. You can find Inverurie Academy on Jackson Street in Inverurie. In 2023, the school was ranked 177th out of 347 schools in Scotland. About 35% of its students achieved 5 or more Highers, which are important exams.
Students who attend Inverurie Academy often come from several local primary schools. These include Strathburn Primary, Chapel of Garioch Primary, Uryside Primary, Port Elphinstone Primary, Oyne Primary, Kellands Primary, Hatton of Fintray Primary, and Keithhall Primary. Insch Primary and Kinellar Primary also send students to Inverurie Academy.
Contents
School History and Buildings
Inverurie Academy has a long history. The original school building was constructed during the Victorian period. It used to be both a secondary school and a primary school. In 1909, the primary and secondary parts of the building were officially joined. Primary students stayed until they were 14 years old. Older students who passed their exams could go on to higher education.
Over the years, new parts were added to the school. The buildings were fully joined in the 1950s. A new assembly hall was built in the 1960s. The last major building work on the old site happened in the 1980s.
The New Community Campus
In 2018, construction started on a brand new building. This was part of a £55 million project to create a new community campus. The new campus includes modern facilities for students. It has new parking areas for cars and buses. There is also a 3G pitch for sports. The new campus can hold up to 1,600 students.
In the 2020 school year, Inverurie Academy moved to this new Inverurie Community Campus. The community swimming pool, St. Andrews Special School, and the Garioch Community Centre also moved there. The original Academy building was taken down in 2022. This demolition was delayed because Asbestos, a material that can be harmful, was found inside the old school.
Handling the Covid-19 Pandemic
Inverurie Academy received praise for how it managed the Covid-19 pandemic. An inspector noted that the school was "very well placed to continue its improvement journey." During the pandemic, National 5 exams were cancelled across Scotland. This included Inverurie Academy. Instead, students completed online coursework and assessments.
Well-Known Former Students
Many people who became well-known attended Inverurie Academy. Here are a few examples:
- Andrew Bowie (born 1987) is a politician. He has been a Member of Parliament for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine since 2017.
- Stuart Corsar (born 1984) was a rugby union player.
- Gareth Dennis (born 1991) is an engineer who works with railways and is also a writer.
- Lewis Macdonald (born 1957) is a politician.
- Helen Rushall (1914–1984) was a schoolteacher and a feminist.
- Ethel Simpson (1926–2017) was a journalist.
- Callum Smith (born 1992) was a cross-country skier.
- Sarah Smith is a politician. She has been a Member of Parliament for Hyndburn since 2024.
