George Heriot's School
Encyclopedia
George Heriot's School is an independent
primary
and secondary
school
on Lauriston Place in the Old Town
of Edinburgh
, Scotland
, with around 1600 pupils, 155 teaching staff and 80 non-teaching staff. It was established in 1628 as George Heriot's Hospital, by bequest of the royal goldsmith
George Heriot
, and opened in 1659. The school consistently achieves high exam results in SQA exams - indeed, the S5 pupils of the session 2009/2010 achieved the best results in Scotland for their Higher exams.
, the work of William Wallace
, until his death in 1631. He was succeeded as master mason by William Aytoun, who was succeeded in turn by John Mylne
. In 1676, Sir William Bruce
drew up plans for the completion of Heriot's Hospital. His design, for the central tower of the north façade, was eventually executed in 1693.
The school is a turreted building surrounding a large quadrangle
, and built out of sandstone
. The foundation stone is inscribed with the date 1628. The intricate decoration above each window is unique (with one paired exception - those on the ground floor either side of the now redundant central turret on the west side of the building). A statue of the founder can be found in a niche on the north side of the quadrangle.
The main building was also the first large building to be constructed outside the Edinburgh city walls. It sits next to Greyfriars Kirk, built in 1620, in open grounds in a fine position, overlooked by the Castle
directly to the north. Parts of the seventeenth-century city wall (the Telfer Wall) are still to be found serving as the walls of the school grounds. The grounds contain a selection of other buildings of varying age; these include a swimming pool
and a granite
war memorial
, dedicated to the school's former pupils and teachers who died in World War I
and World War II
.
– equivalent to several tens of millions today – to found a "hospital" (then the name for this kind of charitable school) to care for the "puir, faitherless bairns" (Scots
: poor, fatherless children) of Edinburgh.
The construction of Heriot's Hospital (as it was first called) was begun in 1628, just outside the city walls of Edinburgh. It was completed just in time to be occupied by Oliver Cromwell's
English
forces during the invasion of Scotland during the Third English Civil War; the building was used as a barracks
, with horses stabled in the chapel
.
The hospital finally opened in 1659, with thirty sickly children in residence; its finances grew, and it took in other pupils in addition to the orphan
s for whom it was intended. In the 1880s, it began to charge fees; however, to this day it serves its charitable object, providing free education to a sizable number of fatherless children, referred to as "foundationers". It was not all plain sailing, however, and in 1846 there was an insurrection in the hospital and fifty-two boys were dismissed.
In 1837 the school founded ten "free schools" in Edinburgh, educating several thousand pupils across the city; these were closed in 1885. One of them, with a copy of several of the features of the original Lauriston Place building, is at the east end of the Cowgate
.
The school also provided funds for the establishment of an institution which later merged with the Watt Institution (named after James Watt
) in the 1870s to form Heriot-Watt College, a technical college that became Heriot-Watt University
in 1966.
In 1979 it became co-educational with the arrival of the first girls, and now has around 1700 pupils.
s:
Independent school
An independent school is a school that is independent in its finances and governance; it is not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operations, nor reliant on taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of tuition charges, gifts, and in some cases the...
primary
Primary education
A primary school is an institution in which children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as primary or elementary education. Primary school is the preferred term in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth Nations, and in most publications of the United Nations Educational,...
and secondary
Secondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
on Lauriston Place in the Old Town
Old Town, Edinburgh
The Old Town of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is the medieval part of the city. Together with the 18th-century New Town, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has preserved its medieval plan and many Reformation-era buildings....
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...
, with around 1600 pupils, 155 teaching staff and 80 non-teaching staff. It was established in 1628 as George Heriot's Hospital, by bequest of the royal goldsmith
Goldsmith
A goldsmith is a metalworker who specializes in working with gold and other precious metals. Since ancient times the techniques of a goldsmith have evolved very little in order to produce items of jewelry of quality standards. In modern times actual goldsmiths are rare...
George Heriot
George Heriot
George Heriot was a Scottish goldsmith and philanthropist. He is chiefly remembered today as founder of George Heriot's School, a large private school in Edinburgh; his name has also been given to Heriot-Watt University, as well as several streets in the same city.Heriot was the court goldsmith...
, and opened in 1659. The school consistently achieves high exam results in SQA exams - indeed, the S5 pupils of the session 2009/2010 achieved the best results in Scotland for their Higher exams.
Architecture
The main building of the school is notable for its renaissance architectureRenaissance architecture
Renaissance architecture is the architecture of the period between the early 15th and early 17th centuries in different regions of Europe, demonstrating a conscious revival and development of certain elements of ancient Greek and Roman thought and material culture. Stylistically, Renaissance...
, the work of William Wallace
William Wallace (mason)
William Wallace was a Scottish master mason and architect. He served as King's Master Mason under James VI.From 1615, Wallace is known to have been the leading mason working on the King's Lodgings at Edinburgh Castle. On 18 April 1617 he was appointed King's Master Mason, holding this post until...
, until his death in 1631. He was succeeded as master mason by William Aytoun, who was succeeded in turn by John Mylne
John Mylne (1611-1667)
John Mylne , sometimes known as "John Mylne junior", or "the Younger", was a Scottish master mason and architect, who served as Master Mason to the Crown of Scotland. Born in Perth, he was the son of John Mylne, master mason, and Isobel Wilson.Practising as a stonemason, he also took on the role of...
. In 1676, Sir William Bruce
William Bruce (architect)
Sir William Bruce of Kinross, 1st Baronet was a Scottish gentleman-architect, "the effective founder of classical architecture in Scotland," as Howard Colvin observes...
drew up plans for the completion of Heriot's Hospital. His design, for the central tower of the north façade, was eventually executed in 1693.
The school is a turreted building surrounding a large quadrangle
Quadrangle (architecture)
In architecture, a quadrangle is a space or courtyard, usually rectangular in plan, the sides of which are entirely or mainly occupied by parts of a large building. The word is probably most closely associated with college or university campus architecture, but quadrangles may be found in other...
, and built out of sandstone
Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...
. The foundation stone is inscribed with the date 1628. The intricate decoration above each window is unique (with one paired exception - those on the ground floor either side of the now redundant central turret on the west side of the building). A statue of the founder can be found in a niche on the north side of the quadrangle.
The main building was also the first large building to be constructed outside the Edinburgh city walls. It sits next to Greyfriars Kirk, built in 1620, in open grounds in a fine position, overlooked by the Castle
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is a fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, from its position atop the volcanic Castle Rock. Human habitation of the site is dated back as far as the 9th century BC, although the nature of early settlement is unclear...
directly to the north. Parts of the seventeenth-century city wall (the Telfer Wall) are still to be found serving as the walls of the school grounds. The grounds contain a selection of other buildings of varying age; these include a swimming pool
Swimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
and a granite
Granite
Granite is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, felsic, igneous rock. Granite usually has a medium- to coarse-grained texture. Occasionally some individual crystals are larger than the groundmass, in which case the texture is known as porphyritic. A granitic rock with a porphyritic...
war memorial
War memorial
A war memorial is a building, monument, statue or other edifice to celebrate a war or victory, or to commemorate those who died or were injured in war.-Historic usage:...
, dedicated to the school's former pupils and teachers who died in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
History
On his death in 1624, George Heriot left around 25,000 Pound ScotsPound Scots
The pound Scots was the national unit of currency in the Kingdom of Scotland before the country entered into political and currency union with the Kingdom of England in 1707 . It was introduced by David I, in the 12th century, on the model of English and French money, divided into 20 shillings...
– equivalent to several tens of millions today – to found a "hospital" (then the name for this kind of charitable school) to care for the "puir, faitherless bairns" (Scots
Scots language
Scots is the Germanic language variety spoken in Lowland Scotland and parts of Ulster . It is sometimes called Lowland Scots to distinguish it from Scottish Gaelic, the Celtic language variety spoken in most of the western Highlands and in the Hebrides.Since there are no universally accepted...
: poor, fatherless children) of Edinburgh.
The construction of Heriot's Hospital (as it was first called) was begun in 1628, just outside the city walls of Edinburgh. It was completed just in time to be occupied by Oliver Cromwell's
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
forces during the invasion of Scotland during the Third English Civil War; the building was used as a barracks
Barracks
Barracks are specialised buildings for permanent military accommodation; the word may apply to separate housing blocks or to complete complexes. Their main object is to separate soldiers from the civilian population and reinforce discipline, training and esprit de corps. They were sometimes called...
, with horses stabled in the chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
.
The hospital finally opened in 1659, with thirty sickly children in residence; its finances grew, and it took in other pupils in addition to the orphan
Orphan
An orphan is a child permanently bereaved of or abandoned by his or her parents. In common usage, only a child who has lost both parents is called an orphan...
s for whom it was intended. In the 1880s, it began to charge fees; however, to this day it serves its charitable object, providing free education to a sizable number of fatherless children, referred to as "foundationers". It was not all plain sailing, however, and in 1846 there was an insurrection in the hospital and fifty-two boys were dismissed.
In 1837 the school founded ten "free schools" in Edinburgh, educating several thousand pupils across the city; these were closed in 1885. One of them, with a copy of several of the features of the original Lauriston Place building, is at the east end of the Cowgate
Cowgate
The Cowgate is a street in Edinburgh, Scotland, located about 5 minutes' walk from Edinburgh Castle, within the city's World Heritage Site. The street's name is derived from the fact that cows were herded down it for Edinburgh's market days in previous centuries .The street is part of the lower...
.
The school also provided funds for the establishment of an institution which later merged with the Watt Institution (named after James Watt
James Watt
James Watt, FRS, FRSE was a Scottish inventor and mechanical engineer whose improvements to the Newcomen steam engine were fundamental to the changes brought by the Industrial Revolution in both his native Great Britain and the rest of the world.While working as an instrument maker at the...
) in the 1870s to form Heriot-Watt College, a technical college that became Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt University is a university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The name commemorates George Heriot, the 16th century financier to King James, and James Watt, the great 18th century inventor and engineer....
in 1966.
In 1979 it became co-educational with the arrival of the first girls, and now has around 1700 pupils.
Headmasters
School Headmasters have included :- 1947 - 1970: William McLachlan Dewar (see also The Greenock AcademyGreenock AcademyThe Greenock Academy was a non-denominational, mixed comprehensive school in the west end of Greenock, Scotland.The Greenock Academy and Gourock High School merged into a new school in the Bayhill area of Gourock...
, Greenock) - 1970 - 1983: Allan McDonald
- 1983 - 1998: Keith Pearson
- 1998–Present: Alistair Hector
Houses
Pupils at the school belong to one of four houseHouse system
The house system is a traditional feature of British schools, and schools in the Commonwealth. Historically, it was associated with established public schools, where a 'house' refers to a boarding house or dormitory of a boarding school...
s:
- Lauriston (green, after the school's address, Lauriston Place; named after Lauriston CastleLauriston CastleLauriston Castle is a 16th century tower house with 19th century extensions overlooking the Firth of Forth, in Edinburgh, Scotland.-History:...
) - Greyfriars (white, named after the adjacent kirkKirkKirk can mean "church" in general or the Church of Scotland in particular. Many place names and personal names are also derived from it.-Basic meaning and etymology:...
, Greyfriars KirkGreyfriars KirkGreyfriars Kirk, today Greyfriars Tolbooth & Highland Kirk, is a parish kirk of the Church of Scotland in central Edinburgh, Scotland...
) - Raeburn (red, after a famous former pupil, Henry RaeburnHenry RaeburnSir Henry Raeburn was a Scottish portrait painter, the first significant Scottish portraitist since the Act of Union 1707 to remain based in Scotland.-Biography:...
) - Castle (blue, after Edinburgh CastleEdinburgh CastleEdinburgh Castle is a fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, from its position atop the volcanic Castle Rock. Human habitation of the site is dated back as far as the 9th century BC, although the nature of early settlement is unclear...
to the north)
School publications
The school magazine is called the Herioter. Published annually, this magazine contains sections for aspects of the school; including clubs and activities, work from pupils, articles on the drama productions of the year and a letter from the headmaster. The magazine is written by many contributors, generally pupil written articles about the clubs, and is designed and edited by 6th year pupils under the guidance of staff. The Junior School-specific Magazine is called the Junior School Journal (shortened to JSJ), which holds a cover competition for the pupils to take part in. There is also an annual school newspaper called The Heriot Herald. In addition, there is a less formal internal online magazine written by the pupils themselves and aimed at their peers called The Blazer, which can be accessed through the school's intranet. There is also a Former pupil magazine called "The Quadrangle", which is published by the Heriot Club for all former pupils, for the purpose of arranging reunions and similar Heriot Club activities.Notable alumni
- James Aitken, aka "John the Painter"John the PainterJohn the Painter , also known as James Aitken or John Aitkin, was a Scot who committed acts of terror in British naval dockyards in 1776–77.-Early life:...
(1752–1777), terrorist - Nick AbbotNick AbbotNick Abbot is a British radio presenter, who has presented on numarious radio station in the uk for past 20 years.-History:Nick Abbot was born 22 August 1960, and was educated at George Heriot's School, Edinburgh and Brunel University in Uxbridge where he gained a degree in psychology. Abbot's...
(born 1960), talk radio presenter - J. W. S. CasselsJ. W. S. CasselsJohn William Scott Cassels , FRS is a leading English mathematician.-Biography:Educated at Neville's Cross Council School in Durham and George Heriot's School in Edinburgh, Cassels graduated from the University of Edinburgh with an MA in 1943.His academic career was interrupted in World War II...
(born 1922), mathematician - Bruce DouglasBruce Douglas (rugby union)Bruce Andrew Ferguson Douglas is a Scottish rugby union footballer. He plays as a prop, and had been signed with French top 14 club Montpellier Herault from July 2008 up until March 2010 when it was confirmed that he was signed with Worcester Warriors...
(born 1980), Rugby Union player - Emun ElliottEmun ElliottEmun Elliott is a Scottish actor, known for portraying Dr Christian King in Paradox.-Background:Brought up in Portobello, Edinburgh, Elliott attended George Heriot's School before beginning a degree in English Literature and French at the University of Aberdeen...
, actor - Gavin EslerGavin EslerGavin Esler is a Scottish author and BBC television presenter, currently one of the four main presenters on BBC Two's flagship political analysis programme, Newsnight.-Education:...
(born 1953), television journalist and presenter of Newsnight - Ian BairnsonIan BairnsonIan Bairnson is a Scottish musician, famous for being one of the core members of The Alan Parsons Project. He is a multi-instrumentalist, who has played saxophone and keyboards, although he is best known as a guitarist...
(born 1953), musician, member of PilotPilot (band)Pilot was a pop rock musical group, formed during 1973 in Edinburgh, Scotland by the former Bay City Rollers members, David Paton and Billy Lyall.-Career:...
and The Alan Parsons Project - John Borthwick GilchristJohn Borthwick GilchristJohn Borthwick Gilchrist FRSE was a Scottish surgeon and Indologist.-Early life:Gilchrist was born in Edinburgh to merchant Walter Gilchrist, who disappeared the year he was born...
(1759–1841), Indologist - Hector Bransby GooderhamHector Bransby GooderhamThe Very Reverend Hector Bransby Gooderham was an eminent Episcopalian priest in the third quarter of the 20th Century. He was born on 11 October 1901 and educated at George Heriot's School, Edinburgh and the City's University. He was ordained in 1924 and began his career with a curacy at St....
(1901–1977), priest of the Scottish Episcopal Church - Mark GoodierMark Goodier-Early career:Mark Goodier was born in Rhodesia . His family moved to the UK when he was a child, eventually settling in Scotland. He was educated at George Heriot's School, in Edinburgh. He became a mobile DJ in Edinburgh and then joined local station Radio Forth at the age of 19...
(born 1961), Radio One disc jockey - Professor Sir Abraham Goldberg KB MD DSc FRCP FRSE (1923–2007), Emeritus Regius Professor of the Practice of Medicine, University of Glasgow
- Mike HeronMike HeronMike Heron is a Scottish singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, best known for his work in the Incredible String Band in the 1960s and 1970s.-Career:...
(born 1942), musician, formerly of the Incredible String Band - Norman IronsNorman IronsDr Norman Irons was Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Scotland, between 1992 and 1996.He was the first, and so far only, Lord Provost of the city from the Scottish National Party . Although Councillor Irons was one of only two SNP representatives on the City Council at the time, these votes were crucial...
, former Lord Provost of Edinburgh - Andy IrvineAndy Irvine (rugby player)Andrew Robertson "Andy" Irvine MBE is a former President of the Scottish Rugby Union , and a former Scottish international rugby player. He earned fifty one Scottish caps, and scored over 250 points for .-Background:...
(born 1951), Rugby Union player - Roy KinnearRoy KinnearRoy Mitchell Kinnear was an English character actor. He is best remembered for playing Veruca Salt's father, Mr. Salt, in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.-Early life:...
(1934–1988), actor
- David McLetchieDavid McLetchieDavid McLetchie is a Scottish politician, currently a Scottish Conservative and Unionist Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Lothian electoral region...
(born 1952), former leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Sir Harry (Work) Melville FRSE (1908–2000), polymer chemist and administrator
- Sir James Miller (1905–1977), housebuilder and politician. First man to be Lord Provost of Edinburgh and Lord Mayor of London
- Iain MilneIain MilneIain Milne is a former rugby union footballer. His nickname is "The Bear" in view of his physical size and strength....
(born 1958), Rugby Union player - Kenny Milne (born 1961), Rugby Union player
- Sir Andrew Hunter Arbuthnot MurrayAndrew Hunter Arbuthnot MurraySir Andrew Hunter Arbuthnot Murray, OBE, was Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Scotland between 1947 and 1951, Lord Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, and a Justice of the Peace....
(1903–1977), former Lord Provost of Edinburgh - Doug NaysmithDoug NaysmithJohn Douglas Naysmith is a British Labour Co-operative politician who was the Member of Parliament for Bristol North West from 1997 until standing down at the 2010 general election....
(born 1941), Labour politician and former MP for Bristol North West - Gordon PrenticeGordon PrenticeGordon Prentice is a British Labour Party politician who was the Member of Parliament for Pendle in Lancashire from 1992 to 2010.-Early life:...
(born 1951), Labour politician and former MP for Pendle - Henry RaeburnHenry RaeburnSir Henry Raeburn was a Scottish portrait painter, the first significant Scottish portraitist since the Act of Union 1707 to remain based in Scotland.-Biography:...
(1756–1823), painter - Ian RichardsonIan RichardsonIan William Richardson CBE was a Scottish actor best known for his portrayal of the Machiavellian Tory politician Francis Urquhart in the BBC's House of Cards trilogy. He was also a leading Shakespearean stage actor....
(1934–2007), actor - Gordon Ross, Rugby Union player
- Sir William Ryrie (Treasury Civil Servant and Executive of World Bank and IMF)
- Ken Scotland, Rugby Union internationalist
- Mike ScottMike Scott (musician)Michael 'Mike' Scott is the founding member, lead singer and chief songwriter of rock band The Waterboys. He has also produced two solo albums, Bring 'em All In and Still Burning...
(born 1958), musician and composer, founder of The Waterboys - Alastair SimAlastair SimAlastair George Bell Sim, CBE was a Scottish character actor who appeared in a string of classic British films. He is best remembered in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in the 1951 film Scrooge, and for his portrayal of Miss Fritton, the headmistress in two St. Trinian's films...
(1900–1976), actor - Ken StottKen StottKenneth Campbell "Ken" Stott is a Scottish actor, particularly known in the United Kingdom for his many roles in television.-Early life:...
(born 1955), actor - Bob ThomasBob ThomasBob Thomas is a radio personality, actor, and writer. He was one of the top radio announcers in Knoxville, Tennessee for 25 years. During his tenure at radio station WIVK, he had the highest-rated midday radio show in the United States for over 16 years. As an actor, he has appeared in many...
, musician, founder member of Silly WizardSilly WizardSilly Wizard was a Scottish folk band that began forming in Edinburgh in 1970. The founder members were two like-minded university students—Gordon Jones and Bob Thomas... - Nigel TranterNigel TranterNigel Tranter OBE was a Scottish historian and author.-Early life:Nigel Tranter was born in Glasgow and educated at George Heriot's School in Edinburgh. He trained as an accountant and worked in Scottish National Insurance Company, founded by his uncle. In 1933 he married May Jean Campbell Grieve...
(1909–2000), historical novelist - Robert UrquhartRobert Urquhart (actor)Robert Urquhart was a Scottish character actor who mainly worked in British television during his career.He was born in Ullapool, Scotland on 16 October 1921, educated at George Heriot's School in Edinburgh and made his stage debut in 1947...
(1921–1995), actor - Dougie WalkerDouglas WalkerDouglas Walker , commonly known as Dougie Walker, is a former Scottish sprinter.Educated at George Heriot's School in Edinburgh, in 1998 he became European champion in both 200 metres and 4x100m relay. With 31.56s he is the European record holder in 300 metres, although this distance is rarely run...
(born 1973), sprinter - Stephen Woolman, Lord WoolmanStephen Woolman, Lord WoolmanStephen Errol Woolman, Lord Woolman is a Scottish legal academic, and a Senator of the College of Justice, a judge of the country's Supreme Courts.-Early life:...
, Senator of the College of Justice - Paul YoungPaul Young (actor)Paul Young is a Scottish television actor and presenter. He is the son of the actor John Young. Educated at George Heriot's School in Edinburgh....
(born 1944), actor - Bryan SwansonBryan SwansonBryan Swanson is a sports television reporter.- Biography :Swanson was Educated at George Heriot's School in Edinburgh. He left aged 17 for a job on Edinburgh's outpost of L!VE TV as a sports reporter and presenter...
(born 1980), Sky Sports chief reporter