Balwearie High School
Encyclopedia
Balwearie High School is a non-denominational comprehensive secondary school at the west end of Kirkcaldy
in Scotland
. Balwearie serves around 1750 pupils aged from 12 to 18 and includes a Department of Additional Support (DAS for short) for children with Additional Support Needs.
who is a graduate of the University of Strathclyde
, with a Bachelor's degree
in Economics and Accountancy. He then moved to Aberdeen University, where he spent a year completing his Teacher Training qualification. He is a past president of the Headteachers' Association of Scotland. Currently he is an external examiner for Aberdeen University and a member of the Learning and Teaching Scotland Advisory Council. In 2001 he was awarded an OBE for services to Secondary Education. He retired in April 2010. It is currently run by Dr James More (who was Depute headmaster from 2001 to 2010) after a spell as Acting Rector. He is also a former pupil.
in 1972. It originally comprised two blocks, named C Block and T Block. The J block was added a few years later, housing a library and math, geography, science, technical, and computing classrooms. This and the C Block is conjoined via a bridge corridor through the L (library) Block. There are also detached hut units housing a small number of classrooms. The school has two cafeterias: the L Block is used by first, second, and sixth year pupils; the C Block is used by third, fourth and fifth year pupils.
The bridge corridor, along with the DAS department (known prior to 2008 as the Department of Special Education), games hall, J block, senior cafe, and an extension to C block, was built in 1976.
Sporting facilities include:
There is also an auditorium with a stage area, complemented with a full set of lighting and sound equipment. This was designed and created by the Art & Design Department & Farmer Facilities.
Outside of school hours, the school functions as a community centre.
In January 1997, a radiator fault caused a fire in the school's music department, which is situated at the top floor of the C block. The fire began in the early hours of the morning following the schools 'Burns Night' celebrations for the birthday of Robert Burns
. It was extinguished rapidly by the local fire brigade. The music department suffered the most through fire and water damages; however, each level beneath the third floor suffered fire damage as well. The school was closed for several days with students being allowed back in stages, with the senior students, who were in the final preparations for May exams, returning first.
There was a second fire on June 29, 2009 in the Games Hall and community use cafe shortly before 5pm; however, the damaged building was deemed safe, and the awards ceremony due that evening went ahead as planned. Pupils attended school the following day as usual.
, Kinghorn
, Burntisland
,Auchtertool
Aberdour
,Dysart
and Glenrothres. However, pupils who live outside this catchment area can request to attend Balwearie by asking the Education Board. Balwearie's associated primary schools are Auchtertool, Burntisland, Dunnikier, Kinghorn,strathallan, Kirkcaldy West, Valley, Aberdour, Dysart, Glenrothres,
to National Qualifications at Intermediate
, Higher
and Advanced Higher
levels.
A high staying on rate is reflected in large numbers gaining employment, training or Further or Higher Education.
A wide range of extracurricular activities is on offer. These include sport, music, drama and chess. Pupils also have the opportunity of foreign travel through ski trips, visits to historical sites, school exchanges and participation in World Challenge Expeditions.
Since 1999 the school has offered an annual trip to Paris for S5-6 pupils and since 2003 a biennial language study trip to St Omer in Northern France for pupils in S1-3. There is also an annual visit to the Cologne Christmas Markets for S3 pupils learning German.
Pupil representatives are elected to year councils and the whole pupil council meets with the rector once a term. Working groups tackle whole-school issues.
The school originally won a Charter Mark
Award for excellence in public service in 2001, this has now been renewed. The school also has the Schools Curriculum Award.
Recently pupils in an Alternative Curriculum Group won a Fife Excellence Award and the magazine club won the Scotsman/Royal Bank of Scotland ‘Design a Newspaper’. More recently, a Young Enterprise company in the school scooped two of the three trophies. Pupils and staff take part in regular fund-raising for Save the Children
.
, Annie
, Fiddler on the Roof
, Calamity Jane, South Pacific
, Me and My Girl
(2006) and most recently Anything Goes
(2008). The school have recently performed Grease
in June 2010.
Several of the lead performers in these school shows have gone on to study at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
.
and a Parent Council – the Balwearie High School Association. The Balwearie High School Association provides volunteers for many of the school's social events, including the biennial School Musical.
's Ulysses
. The line ends "...to find, and not to yield."
(HMIe), receiving excellent reports in numerous areas.
Kirkcaldy
Kirkcaldy is a town and former royal burgh in Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. The town lies on a shallow bay on the northern shore of the Firth of Forth; SSE of Glenrothes, ENE of Dunfermline, WSW of Dundee and NNE of Edinburgh...
in 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...
. Balwearie serves around 1750 pupils aged from 12 to 18 and includes a Department of Additional Support (DAS for short) for children with Additional Support Needs.
Rector
The school opened in 1964 with Mr Tom Elder as headmaster, who retired in 1970. He was then succeeded by Oliver McLaughlan, who was rector from 1970 to 1988, followed by Gordon MacKenzie OBEOrder of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
who is a graduate of the University of Strathclyde
University of Strathclyde
The University of Strathclyde , Glasgow, Scotland, is Glasgow's second university by age, founded in 1796, and receiving its Royal Charter in 1964 as the UK's first technological university...
, with a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in Economics and Accountancy. He then moved to Aberdeen University, where he spent a year completing his Teacher Training qualification. He is a past president of the Headteachers' Association of Scotland. Currently he is an external examiner for Aberdeen University and a member of the Learning and Teaching Scotland Advisory Council. In 2001 he was awarded an OBE for services to Secondary Education. He retired in April 2010. It is currently run by Dr James More (who was Depute headmaster from 2001 to 2010) after a spell as Acting Rector. He is also a former pupil.
History and facilities
The school was initially a junior secondary school, before becoming a comprehensive schoolComprehensive school
A comprehensive school is a state school that does not select its intake on the basis of academic achievement or aptitude. This is in contrast to the selective school system, where admission is restricted on the basis of a selection criteria. The term is commonly used in relation to the United...
in 1972. It originally comprised two blocks, named C Block and T Block. The J block was added a few years later, housing a library and math, geography, science, technical, and computing classrooms. This and the C Block is conjoined via a bridge corridor through the L (library) Block. There are also detached hut units housing a small number of classrooms. The school has two cafeterias: the L Block is used by first, second, and sixth year pupils; the C Block is used by third, fourth and fifth year pupils.
The bridge corridor, along with the DAS department (known prior to 2008 as the Department of Special Education), games hall, J block, senior cafe, and an extension to C block, was built in 1976.
Sporting facilities include:
- a wooden floored gymnasium with gymnastic equipment
- a gym with weight training facilities
- a swimming pool
- an indoor games area
- Two Dance stuidos
- Classroom for P.E
- outdoor tennis courts
- football/rugby pitch
- 400m running track
- 1 Blaes hockey pitch
- 1 astroturf pitch
There is also an auditorium with a stage area, complemented with a full set of lighting and sound equipment. This was designed and created by the Art & Design Department & Farmer Facilities.
Outside of school hours, the school functions as a community centre.
In January 1997, a radiator fault caused a fire in the school's music department, which is situated at the top floor of the C block. The fire began in the early hours of the morning following the schools 'Burns Night' celebrations for the birthday of Robert Burns
Robert Burns
Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide...
. It was extinguished rapidly by the local fire brigade. The music department suffered the most through fire and water damages; however, each level beneath the third floor suffered fire damage as well. The school was closed for several days with students being allowed back in stages, with the senior students, who were in the final preparations for May exams, returning first.
There was a second fire on June 29, 2009 in the Games Hall and community use cafe shortly before 5pm; however, the damaged building was deemed safe, and the awards ceremony due that evening went ahead as planned. Pupils attended school the following day as usual.
Catchment Area
The school's catchment area covers much of the south of KirkcaldyKirkcaldy
Kirkcaldy is a town and former royal burgh in Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. The town lies on a shallow bay on the northern shore of the Firth of Forth; SSE of Glenrothes, ENE of Dunfermline, WSW of Dundee and NNE of Edinburgh...
, Kinghorn
Kinghorn
Kinghorn is a town in Fife, Scotland. A seaside resort with two beaches, Kinghorn Beach and Pettycur Bay, plus a fishing port, it stands on the north shore of the Firth of Forth opposite Edinburgh...
, Burntisland
Burntisland
Burntisland is a town and former royal burgh in Fife, Scotland on the Firth of Forth. According to an estimate taken in 2008, the town has a population of 5,940....
,Auchtertool
Auchtertool
Auchtertool is a small village in Fife, Scotland. It is 4 miles west of Kirkcaldy. The name is from the Gaelic uachdar, meaning upland or heights above the Tiel burn . The Tiel Burn flows a few hundred yards south of the kirk and village, which was formerly known as Milton of Auchtertool...
Aberdour
Aberdour
Aberdour is a scenic and historic village on the south coast of Fife, Scotland. It is on the north shore of the Firth of Forth, looking south to the island of Inchcolm and its Abbey, and to Leith and Edinburgh beyond. According to the 2006 population estimate, the village has a population of...
,Dysart
Dysart
Dysart is a former town and royal burgh located on the south-east coast between Kirkcaldy and West Wemyss in Fife. The town is now considered to be a suburb of Kirkcaldy. Dysart was once part of a wider estate owned by the St Clair or Sinclair family...
and Glenrothres. However, pupils who live outside this catchment area can request to attend Balwearie by asking the Education Board. Balwearie's associated primary schools are Auchtertool, Burntisland, Dunnikier, Kinghorn,strathallan, Kirkcaldy West, Valley, Aberdour, Dysart, Glenrothres,
Curriculum
Pupils are offered a full range of courses from 5-14 in S1/ S2, through Standard GradeStandard Grade
Standard Grades are Scotland's educational qualifications for students aged around 14 to 16 years, which are due to be fully replaced in 2014 when Scottish Qualifications Authority's Higher Still system becomes the main qualifications as part of the major shake up of Scotland's education system as...
to National Qualifications at Intermediate
Intermediate 1
Intermediate 1 is an educational qualification in Scotland on the Scottish Qualifications Authority Scottish Qualifications Certificate achievement ladder similar to General Level at Standard Grades; it is the next step after Access 3...
, Higher
Higher (Scottish)
In Scotland the Higher is one of the national school-leaving certificate exams and university entrance qualifications of the Scottish Qualifications Certificate offered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. It superseded the old Higher Grade on the Scottish Certificate of Education...
and Advanced Higher
Advanced Higher (Scottish)
The Advanced Higher is an optional qualification which forms part of the Scottish secondary education system. It is normally taken by students aged around 16-18 after they have completed Highers, which in turn are the main university entrance qualification...
levels.
A high staying on rate is reflected in large numbers gaining employment, training or Further or Higher Education.
A wide range of extracurricular activities is on offer. These include sport, music, drama and chess. Pupils also have the opportunity of foreign travel through ski trips, visits to historical sites, school exchanges and participation in World Challenge Expeditions.
Since 1999 the school has offered an annual trip to Paris for S5-6 pupils and since 2003 a biennial language study trip to St Omer in Northern France for pupils in S1-3. There is also an annual visit to the Cologne Christmas Markets for S3 pupils learning German.
Pupil representatives are elected to year councils and the whole pupil council meets with the rector once a term. Working groups tackle whole-school issues.
The school originally won a Charter Mark
Charter Mark
The Customer Service Excellence, is an accreditation for organisations and an independent validation of achievement.-History:...
Award for excellence in public service in 2001, this has now been renewed. The school also has the Schools Curriculum Award.
Recently pupils in an Alternative Curriculum Group won a Fife Excellence Award and the magazine club won the Scotsman/Royal Bank of Scotland ‘Design a Newspaper’. More recently, a Young Enterprise company in the school scooped two of the three trophies. Pupils and staff take part in regular fund-raising for Save the Children
Save the Children
Save the Children is an internationally active non-governmental organization that enforces children's rights, provides relief and helps support children in developing countries...
.
School shows
Balwearie holds a biennial School Musical performed in the main by its pupils. Teachers, including the current rector, have been known to make cameo appearances on several occasions. Past productions include Oliver TwistOliver Twist
Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy's Progress is the second novel by English author Charles Dickens, published by Richard Bentley in 1838. The story is about an orphan Oliver Twist, who endures a miserable existence in a workhouse and then is placed with an undertaker. He escapes and travels to...
, Annie
Annie (musical)
Annie is a Broadway musical based upon the popular Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and the book by Thomas Meehan. The original Broadway production opened in 1977 and ran for nearly six years with a blonde Annie as the poster...
, Fiddler on the Roof
Fiddler on the Roof
Fiddler on the Roof is a musical with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and book by Joseph Stein, set in Tsarist Russia in 1905. It is based on Tevye and his Daughters by Sholem Aleichem...
, Calamity Jane, South Pacific
South Pacific (musical)
South Pacific is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and book by Hammerstein and Joshua Logan. The story draws from James A. Michener's Pulitzer Prize-winning 1947 book Tales of the South Pacific, weaving together characters and elements from several of its...
, Me and My Girl
Me and My Girl
Me and My Girl is a musical with book and lyrics by Douglas Furber and L. Arthur Rose and music by Noel Gay. It takes place in the late 1930s in Hampshire, Mayfair, and Lambeth....
(2006) and most recently Anything Goes
Anything Goes
Anything Goes is a musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. The original book was a collaborative effort by Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse, heavily revised by the team of Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. The story concerns madcap antics aboard an ocean liner bound from New York to London...
(2008). The school have recently performed Grease
Grease (musical)
Grease is a 1971 musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. The musical is named for the 1950s United States working-class youth subculture known as the greasers. The musical, set in 1959 at fictional Rydell High School , follows ten working-class teenagers as they navigate the complexities of love,...
in June 2010.
Several of the lead performers in these school shows have gone on to study at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is a conservatoire of music, drama, and dance in the centre of Glasgow, Scotland. Founded in 1845 as the Glasgow Educational Association, it is the busiest performing arts venue in Scotland...
, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art is a drama school located in London, United Kingdom. It is generally regarded as one of the most renowned drama schools in the world, and is one of the oldest drama schools in the United Kingdom, having been founded in 1904.RADA is an affiliate school of the...
, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama is an independent music and dramatic arts school which was founded in 1880 in London, England. Students can pursue courses in Music, Opera, Drama and Technical Theatre Arts.-History:...
.
School Board and Parent Council
Balwearie is supported by a School BoardSchool board (Scotland)
School Boards in Scotland were involved in determining the overall policies, objectives and ethos at the school. Boards have a special duty to promote good relationships between the school, its parents and the community and also form a channel for the flow of information between these groups...
and a Parent Council – the Balwearie High School Association. The Balwearie High School Association provides volunteers for many of the school's social events, including the biennial School Musical.
Notable former pupils
- AmplificoAmplificoAmplifico are a Scottish band comprising Donna Maciocia , Ross Kilgour and Dave Brunton . The name Amplifico was chosen from a Latin dictionary ....
alternative band founding members - Colin Cameron, footballer
- Stephen DickStephen DickStephen Dick is a Scottish field hockey player who plays as a forward.Competing for Scotland and Great Britain at numerous tournaments, he is representing Great Britain in Field hockey at the 2008 Summer Olympics. He has 68 caps representing Scotland and 24 caps representing Great Britain as of 11...
, hockey player that went to the Beijing Olympics2008 Summer OlympicsThe 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events... - Sharon SmallSharon SmallSharon Small is a Scottish actress acclaimed for her dramatic work in film, radio, theatre and television. Her best-known TV role is that of Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers in the BBC television adaptation of the Inspector Lynley Mysteries by Elizabeth George.-Education and personal life:Small...
, actress - Lewis Stevenson, footballer
Motto
The school's motto is "To Strive, to Seek", taken from the final line of TennysonAlfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson
Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson, FRS was Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom during much of Queen Victoria's reign and remains one of the most popular poets in the English language....
's Ulysses
Ulysses (poem)
"Ulysses" is a poem in blank verse by the Victorian poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson , written in 1833 and published in 1842 in Tennyson's well-received second volume of poetry. An oft-quoted poem, it is popularly used to illustrate the dramatic monologue form...
. The line ends "...to find, and not to yield."
HMIe Inspection
In February 2008 the school had undergone an inspection by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of EducationHer Majesty's Inspectorate of Education
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education is an executive agency of the Scottish Government, responsible for the inspection of public and independent, primary and secondary schools, as well as further education colleges, community learning, Local Authority Education Departments and teacher...
(HMIe), receiving excellent reports in numerous areas.