Balerno Community High School
Encyclopedia
Balerno High School is a six year secondary school
located in Balerno
, a suburb of Edinburgh
, Scotland
. The school stands on the banks of the Water of Leith
, and serves children from the areas of Balerno, Kirknewton
and Ratho
, and also hosts pupils from a variety of areas outside the catchment area such as Currie
, East Calder
, Mid Calder
and Edinburgh
.
itself (the school has since moved to a different site in Balerno) and the red brick building, now Jigsaw Nursery School, was the teacher's house. Balerno was also served by St Mungo's Episcopal School. Until the 1970s, secondary education involved Balerno, Ratho and Kirknewton children traveling long distances. With the rapid population growth in the Balerno area (1000 people in 1960, 15,000 in 1995), plans were drawn up for a £4,600,000 community school and builders prepared to go on site in April of 1980. The Edinburgh Evening News
reported a "shock rethink" as late as January of 1980 which would "examine the consequences of not proceeding with the project". The Council even considered the feasibility of expanding places at nearby Currie
and Firrhill High Schools. However Balerno Community High School was eventually opened to pupils from first to third years in August 1983.The school has since expanded to accommodate first to sixth year pupils.
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
located in Balerno
Balerno
Balerno is a suburb of Edinburgh, Scotland situated 12 kilometres south west of the city centre, next to Juniper Green and Currie. Administratively, Balerno falls within the jurisdiction of the City of Edinburgh Council.- History :...
, a suburb of Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. The school stands on the banks of the Water of Leith
Water of Leith
The Water of Leith is the main river flowing through Edinburgh, Scotland, to the port of Leith where it flows into the sea via the Firth of Forth.It is long and rises in the Colzium Springs at Millstone Rig of the Pentland Hills...
, and serves children from the areas of Balerno, Kirknewton
Kirknewton, West Lothian
Kirknewton is a village in West Lothian, Scotland. Its population is about 2200 . It lies south of the A71 from Edinburgh to Livingston, and north of the A70, the high-level road that runs along the north side of the Pentland Hills from Edinburgh to Carnwath and Lanark...
and Ratho
Ratho
Ratho is a village and civil parish in the west of Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. It was formerly in the old county of Midlothian. Newbridge and Kirkliston are other villages in the area. The Union Canal passes through Ratho. Edinburgh Airport is situated only 4 miles ...
, and also hosts pupils from a variety of areas outside the catchment area such as Currie
Currie
Currie is a civil parish and suburb of Edinburgh, Scotland, situated 10 kilometres south west of the city centre. A former village within the County of Midlothian, it lies to the south west of the city, between Juniper Green and Balerno on the Lanark Road...
, East Calder
East Calder
East Calder is a small town located in West Lothian, Scotland. It is located about a mile east of Mid Calder and about a mile west of Wilkieston...
, Mid Calder
Mid Calder
Mid Calder is a town in West Lothian, Scotland. It is located on a steep hill overlooking the River Almond and Calder Wood, around west of Edinburgh...
and Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
.
Headteacher and SMT
The Headteacher is Graeme Sives he is assisted by his management team which comprises deputy heads Jim Gladstone, Isabel Forbes, Lindsay Fullarton, business manager Linda Parkes and community manager Viv Mackay. However Headteacher Rory Mackenzie publicly announced his retirement from his post in 2011.The new headteacher is Graeme Sives who became head on 17th August 2011 (First day of school year)History
The first record of a school in Balerno refers to one set up in 1814. Its purpose was to teach English.There were 75 pupils and the teacher was paid £25 per year. In 1872 elementary education became compulsory and a new school was needed. In 1877 what is currently the Dean Park Primary School 'annexe' became Dean Park Primary SchoolDean Park Primary School
Dean Park Primary School is a mixed non-denominational primary school in Balerno near Edinburgh.-External links:* http://www.deanparkpta.org.uk/...
itself (the school has since moved to a different site in Balerno) and the red brick building, now Jigsaw Nursery School, was the teacher's house. Balerno was also served by St Mungo's Episcopal School. Until the 1970s, secondary education involved Balerno, Ratho and Kirknewton children traveling long distances. With the rapid population growth in the Balerno area (1000 people in 1960, 15,000 in 1995), plans were drawn up for a £4,600,000 community school and builders prepared to go on site in April of 1980. The Edinburgh Evening News
Edinburgh Evening News
The Edinburgh Evening News is a local newspaper based in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is published daily . It has a circulation of 68,000 and is owned by Johnston Press, which also owns The Scotsman and many regional titles throughout the UK.Much of the copy contained in the Evening News concerns local...
reported a "shock rethink" as late as January of 1980 which would "examine the consequences of not proceeding with the project". The Council even considered the feasibility of expanding places at nearby Currie
Currie
Currie is a civil parish and suburb of Edinburgh, Scotland, situated 10 kilometres south west of the city centre. A former village within the County of Midlothian, it lies to the south west of the city, between Juniper Green and Balerno on the Lanark Road...
and Firrhill High Schools. However Balerno Community High School was eventually opened to pupils from first to third years in August 1983.The school has since expanded to accommodate first to sixth year pupils.
Famous alumni and teachers
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