Musselburgh Grammar School

Musselburgh Grammar School is a large-state secondary school that serves as the main secondary school for Musselburgh and the surrounding areas of Wallyford and Whitecraig. It dates back to the sixteenth century, although the present building was erected in 1835. Until the 1950s, the school was a fee-paying school.[1] As of 2018, the school's roll was approx 1,100.[2]

Musselburgh Grammar School
Address
86 Inveresk Road

Musselburgh
,
East Lothian
,
EH21 7BA

Scotland
Coordinates55°56′20″N 3°03′03″W
Information
TypeSecondary State School
Established1626
HeadteacherColin Gerrie
GenderMixed
Age11 to 18
Enrolment1,100 (approx)
HousesCaird, Grange, Moray, Seton (abolished in 2011)
Colour(s)Cobalt Blue, Navy and White.
Valueshonesty, determination, respect
HMIE ReportHMIE Report 2014
Telephone0131 665 4278
Websitemgsonline.info

Ronald Summers, who had served as Head Teacher from 2003-2014, retired from the role to take up a new position with the SQA where he will oversee the introduction of the new Higher and Advanced Higher courses. Stewart McKinnon served as Acting Head Teacher from August 2014 until February 2015, when Colin Gerrie, the former Head Teacher of Dalkeith High School took over.

Primary schools

There are six nearby primary school which feed into Musselburgh Grammar School: Stoneyhill Primary School, Campie Primary School, Pinkie Primary School, Burgh Primary School, Whitecraig Primary School and Wallyford Primary School.

HMIE reports

In June 1999 the school was criticised following a Care and Welfare Inspection by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education. The report referred to having witnessed a battle between rival gangs in the school entrance area and that a third of pupils surveyed feared for their own safety. It also mentioned general weaknesses in safety, security, care and welfare, although the staff were praised for their efforts in the face of serious challenges.[3] This led to a media furore with some newspapers describing the school as the worst in Scotland.

A follow up inspection in 2000 reported that the school and East Lothian Council had "responded promptly" and made "very good progress" in tackling the problems identified.[4] Since then there have been many positive changes in the school, including the appointment of Ronald Summers as Headteacher, giving rise to improved standards across the board. The school also underwent a major refurbishment under the PPP Scheme during this time to improve the quality of the accommodation. In addition, 4 pupils in 2003 applied to study Physics at Cambridge University. Such high numbers from a state school are relatively rare. A remarkable achievement.[5]

Despite the most recent HMIE report from 2014 expressing concern at the level of attainment of pupils, the school has since recorded its best ever exam results in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

House system

The school has a well established house system, which divides all pupils in the school into three different Houses when they start. The three houses are called: Caird, Grange, and Moray.

There was a fourth house in the school called Seton which disbanded in 2011. House assemblies are held weekly and pupils enter a wide range of activities between Houses during the school year.

Notable former pupils

References

  1. "Significant Scots – David Macbeth Moir". Electricscotland.com. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
  2. "Musselburgh Grammar School Musselburgh Inspection 28/03/2006". Government of the United Kingdom. 28 March 2006. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
  3. "Education | Inspectors condemn 'gang fight' school". BBC News. 8 June 1999. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
  4. "SCOTLAND | Better report for gang-fight school". BBC News. 13 June 2000. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
  5. http://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/13592619.Improvements_made_at_Musselburgh_Grammar_School__say_inspectors. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. Hardie, David (23 August 2013). "Terry Christie and his star pupil Kenny Miller". Edinburgh Evening News. Johnston Publishing. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.