Montrose Academy
Encyclopedia
Montrose Academy is a state secondary school
in Montrose, Angus
, Scotland
. Its history extends as far back as the 16th century grammar school with evidence of schooling in Montrose found as early as 1329. In 1815 Montrose Academy was built and established as an exclusive fee-paying school. Due to its prominence as an educational establishment it had a history of teaching learned men who later earned esteemed positions, some of whom are well-known.
It is now a comprehensive school which serves the surrounding local community with a school roll of around 900 students and a staff roll of 79. Most pupils come from the associated primary schools of Borrowfield, Ferryden, Lochside, Rosemount, Southesk and St Margaret’s. A number of pupils come from outside the catchment area.
Montrose Academy colours are maroon and gold which appear on the school tie in broad stripes. The school badge depicts the gilded dome, a prominent feature of the facade on the old building. The school has a traditional house system
and prefectorial system.
The earliest evidence of schooling in Montrose was in 1329 when Robert the Bruce gave twenty shillings to "David of Montrose in aid of the schools". The name of John Cant or Kant, appears on a deed dated 26 September 1492 as "Master of Arts and Rector of the Parish Church of Logy in Montrose Parish" and is believed to be an early record of a public school in the Montrose area. The grammar school was founded in the 16th century, although the precise date of establishment is unknown. Originally the grammar school was established close to the parish church and it was a requirement of the schoolmaster to read lessons in the church, although the practice was waning by the late eighteenth century.
The Grammar School of Montrose is reputed to have been the first school in Scotland to teach Classical Greek. This was made possible when John Erskine of Dun
, the then Provost of Montrose and patron of the school, brought Pierre de Marsilliers to Scotland in 1534 and founded a Greek school. The introduction of Greek at Montrose is understood to have hastened the Reformation in Scotland. In the 1530s the Protestant reformer, George Wishart
began to teach at the school. Wishart came to be known as "the Schoolmaster of Montrose". He taught and circulated copies of the Greek Testament amongst his pupils and fled to England
in 1538 when investigated for heresy
by William Chisholm, the then Bishop of Brechin
. It is likely that on his return to Scotland he taught John Knox
Greek before returning to teach in Montrose in 1544.
The grammar school was renowned enough as a seminary to attract such distinguished men as James Melville (1556–1614) and his uncle, Andrew Melville
. Andrew Melville
was taught Latin at the grammar school by Schoolmaster Thomas Anderson. He studied the original Greek of Aristotle
under Pierre de Marsilliers in 1557 before passing to the University of St Andrews
in 1559. His proficiency in Greek astonished the professors there who had no knowledge of the language. Melville later became a noted theologian and distinguished scholar of Classical Greek and Latin
.
James Melville studied at Montrose in 1569 under the tutelage of Mr Andrew Milne. Melville rehearsed Calvin's Catechisms and read Virgil's Georgics
amongst other works. He used these words to describe his years of instruction:
George Gledstanes
was master in 1586-7, a teacher of languages and Reader in the parish church. David Lindsay
was appointed master around 1594 before becoming master at Dundee Grammar School. He was followed by James Lichton, appointed in 1614. Alexander Petrie, made master in 1622, received a salary of 25 merks per quarter
for Candlemass, Lamass, and Hallowmass. Robert Graham became master in August 1638 and remained until 1644. By this time the school was increasing in numbers and an assistant master was employed in 1639. Succeeding Graham were William Clyd (6 May 1643-8 November 1643); John Nicol (1643–1645); John Cargill (1645-July 1656) and John Strachan (22 September 1656-1659). James Wishart was master from 1659 until his death in 1684. William Langmuir or Langmoor was appointed on 2 January 1684 and was in his post until 1704, when Robert Strachan took over as master. In 1686 a library was established at the Grammar School, which contained a number of rare books. On 28 June 1710 Robert Spence became master, then James Stewart in 1717 and Patrick Renny on 16 June 1725. Hugh Christie, on 10 June 1752, was the first headmaster of the school to be granted the title "Rector". His successor David Valentyne was Rector from 20 July 1766 until 19 October 1806.
In the first quarter of the eighteenth century, an "English School" opened in the town. The school taught music, French, writing, arithmetic, book-keeping, geometry and navigation. By the late eighteenth century the old Grammar School was in ruins. Construction of the 'New Schools', designed by Andrew Barrie, commenced in 1787 and was completed the following year. The buildings were constructed on the Mid Links, an area of parkland in the town, and contained separate accommodation for the Grammar School, English School and Writing School. Between the ruin of the old Grammar School and the building of the 'New Schools', the Grammar School operated from rooms in the Town House.
The teaching of French is noted in the early history of the Grammar School but German was not taught until the beginning of the nineteenth century. Painting was introduced as a subject in 1816.
The educational establishment in Montrose was one of the most renowned burgh schools in Scotland which provided a preparatory education for university study. It was especially well regarded in teaching Classics.
The new Montrose Academy was founded in 1815. It was partly funded by public subscription funds of £1350, adding to £1000 from Montrose Town Council. Built close to the site of the former grammar school, the foundation stone was laid on 27 February or 15 March 1815 by Mrs Ford of Finhaven. It existed alongside other schools including White's Free School and the local trades school, and had the largest attendance.
Montrose Academy is seen to have replaced the ancient Grammar School of Montrose which had established itself during the 16th century and absorbed all other existing burgh schools in the area. Its inception as an academy was part of a broader 18th century development in the Scottish school system towards the inclusion of more practical subjects such as navigation, drawing, arithmetic and book-keeping, alongside the traditional tuition of the Classics
. This was seen in other Scottish provincial towns and reflected a commitment to learning which was "rooted in the past, but re-energized and adapted" due to the effects of urban growth and the rise of a commercial elite
. Academies were concentrated in the industrial towns of the east. The wide curricular provision was such that an 1866 report complained that "Classics do not occupy a prominent place, and nothing else has been substituted in the way of sound and systematic training".
Academies were initially supplementary but eventually superseded the old grammar schools, as had occurred in Montrose. The foundation of Montrose Academy came 55 years after that of the very first academy in Perth
in 1760. The pupils were required to pay fees, which funded teachers' salaries. Sometimes, as in the case of James Mill, poor boys were sponsored by local ministers or benevolent landowners. In the mid-nineteenth century, a bequest left by John Erskine of Saint James Parish, Jamaica
to the sum of £3000, provided education for eight orphaned boys.
Around 1815 James Calvert was Rector
of the Grammar School. John Rintoul taught Reading and Grammar, James Norval taught Grammar and Geography
, Robert Baird and William Beattie taught Writing and Arithmetic, and Robert Munro taught Drawing. As was commonly practiced at the time, James Calvert had 20-30 pupils boarding in his house between 1815 and 1820. The first rector of Montrose Academy after it was formally established is said to be have been called Johnston. John Pringle Nichol
was Rector
from 1828 to 1834 and was qualified to teach Classical Literature, English Literature
, French, German
, Italian
, Spanish
, Geography
, History
, Natural History
, Geology
, Astronomy
, Chemistry
, Natural Philosophy
, Anatomy
, Physiology
, Animal Mechanics, Moral Philosophy and Political Economy
. He was later appointed Professor of Astronomy
at the University of Glasgow
in 1836, finding fame through his essays and lectures.
In 1832 the Montrose Grammar School building was acquired by the Board of Health for use as a cholera hospital, resulting in the transfer of teachers to Montrose Academy. The 1841 Census reveals that Rev. Alexander Stewart was rector of Montrose Academy while James Calvert was "Rector of the Grammar School". It is evident that both schools existed as independent institutions but within the same building. Yet by 1846 it is clear that Montrose Academy had come to replace the old Grammar School, and it is mentioned as the prominent educational institution in the town. There was no formalised leadership of the school for some time. In 1845, the second Statistical Account recorded that the Rector of the school taught mathematics
, geography
and French
and that there were two teachers of English; two teachers of writing and arithmetic and two for Latin. The school was then attended by 347 pupils. By the mid-nineteenth century the staff consisted of the rector, the rector's assistant, four masters and a mistress. Staff from around this time include Alexander Madoland (Drawing Master from 1843 to 1881); and Alex Monfries (English Master in 1867). Reading of the Bible was considered an obligatory part of learning.
Montrose Academy remained a burgh school until 1872 when it was designated "a higher class public school" and the best in its region because it was an exclusive fee-paying school which provided higher instruction in such subjects as Latin
, Greek
, modern languages, mathematics
and natural science
. The 1872 Education Act transferred management of all burgh schools from town councils to elected school boards. From 1888 further reform brought in a Scottish leaving certificate, to be examined by university professors. Montrose Academy continued to provide preparatory education until the mid-twentieth century. The intake then was predominantly middle class.
Universal secondary education was enacted in 1936 but schools were split on a meritocratic basis, between "junior secondary schools" leading to no qualifications and "senior secondary schools", like Montrose Academy, where pupils would earn a leaving certificate and university entrance. Montrose Academy eventually became a state school in 1965 after the introduction of comprehensive schools throughout Scotland.
Montrose Academy is a community school, of which the catchment area extends to the surrounding villages of Craigo, Hillside
and Ferryden. The feeder schools are Borrowfield Primary School, Ferryden Primary School, Lochside Primary School, Southesk Primary School, St Margaret's Primary School and Rosemount.
in the Neo-Classical
style. It has been Category B listed since 1971 by Historic Scotland.
The original 1815 building contained three classrooms on the ground floor, and three on the floor above with a room contained within the dome. The 1841 addition of two ground floor wings situated north and south of the original facade, provided more space for teaching.
Further improvements were made during the twentieth century expansion of the school. After World War II
Montrose Academy's copper dome was covered in gold leaf as a war memorial, paid for by Miss Blanche Mearns. In the 1960s two memorials were added to the east exterior wall of the Assembly Hall, bearing the names of former students who had died in both world wars.
In 1955 plans were unveiled for new buildings to be added to the old Montrose Academy. Houses in the Academy Square were demolished and £250,000 set aside. The 1961 extension, officially declared open on 23 October of that year, brought into use two three storey blocks attached to the 1841 additions. The major work of the last Extension in 1988-89 was the building of the East Wing, a two storey block linked to the old West Wing by walkways. It contains a number of teaching areas in addition to a Library, Communications Studio, Social Areas and Dining Room. In 2000, the 'Millenium Garden' was developed in the West Wing courtyard.
The most recent significant alterations were made in 2006. The East Annexe building which was once the Montrose Academy Elementary has been demolished. It housed the Drama and Music departments which have since been relocated to the main building. Music is now taught in the West Wing and Drama in the East Wing. During this relocation improvements were made to classroom space for IT, Drama and Music. In addition, £64,000 was spent on updating Home Economics classrooms. Science labs were refurbished in 2010.
, wrote about the history of Montrose Academy. His son, Sir Kenneth Strong
(1900–1982), who attended the school, was a Major-General in the British Army
, commander of Royal Scots Fusiliers
in North Africa
, Chief of Intelligence for U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower
and Director-General of Intelligence for Ministry of Defence
(1964–66).
The following is extracted from various sources as no complete list has been published.
Attempts have been made to improve the environmental offset of the school; new green recycling facilities were set up around the school in 2009. It has become the first Fairtrade school in Angus
.
The school has a Parent Teacher Association and a Pupil Senate.
A 2010 Inspectors' Report noted the school's strengths in supporting children during the transition from primary to secondary school, and the involvement of its pupils in fundraising activities. However it stated that "a number of young people" were unhappy about how the school dealt with poor behaviour and bullying.
Prefects are selected from the fifth year students. A Head Girl and Boy, Deputy Head Girl and Boy, Sports Captains, and a team of prefects are selected from sixth year seniors. Montrose Academy has a peer-support programme which involves prefects in helping first years with the transition to secondary school.
, Chemistry
and Physics
. The number of students progressing to university is generally consistent with the national average and in 2010 was above the national average. In 2007 it was ranked 272 in Scotland for Standard Grade
exam results from around 460 state schools. Standard Grade and Higher pass rates since 2008 have dropped slightly below the national average. However numbers passing Advanced Higher level examinations were above the national average for 2010. The 2010 report noted that pupils in the Senior School tended to perform less well and that "at all stages, young people could attain and achieve more".
School attendance is above the national average.
. In S1-S2 pupils take courses from all departments. From S3 pupils take 8 courses culminating in Standard Grade examinations at the end of S4. Pupils in the Senior School choose around 5 from a range of Higher grade subjects where Advanced Highers (a maximum of 3) can be taken in S6. However teaching of Advanced Highers is less comprehensive. In 2009 Angus Council announced that it was dropping Advanced Higher Business Management, History and Modern Studies from the curriculum. Certain subjects are compulsory at Standard Grade level including English, Mathematics, one Science, one Social Subject (Geography, History, Modern Studies) and one Modern Language (French or German). Pupils in the Senior School are able to study Higher Psychology through day classes at Angus College
.
yearly, an award first instituted in honour of Alexander Burnes. The Dux has been awarded since around 1896. Other long-standing prizes include the Warrack Essay Prize (gifted by Sir James Howard Warrack), Duke Medal (for Mathematics) and the Henry Steele Prize (awarded for History). A number of prizes are sponsored by local businesses and organisations. School Colours are awarded for representation of the school at a national level in sport or other activities.
following the twinning of Angus
with Yantai City. Twinning arrangements have been made in other Angus schools, Webster's High School
and Brechin High School
. It is hoped that these ties will enable the teaching of Mandarin Chinese as part of future plans. From 2010 Montrose Rotary Club is working to establish links between the school and Lawson Academy in Nyumbani, Kitui District
, Kenya
, a village created to accommodate HIV
orphans and grandparents affected by a high incidence of AIDS
in the region.
, Bavaria
. Since 2007 an exchange programme has been running between Montrose Academy and Forest Park High School in Virginia
, USA.
, Chess Club, Craft Club, Drama Club, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Fairtrade Group, fantasy football, Green Group, Montrose Academy Musical Association, Pottery, Samba Band, School Choir, Spanish Club, War Games Club, XL Club, Young Enterprise
and Zumba
.
Montrose Academy has an active debating society and has previously entered teams into the Scottish National Youth Parliament Competition (organised by the Citizenship Foundation
). The school won the competition in 2005 and 2006. They were finalists in 2007 and runner-up in 2008. The English Department runs an annual debating competition for pupils in the Junior School where the winning team is entered into The Courier and Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland Schools Junior Debating Competition
.
The academy's sports clubs include Archery, Athletics, Cycling, Football, Indoor Cricket, Rugby, Step Aerobics and Yamado Kai Karate.
Yearly events include the Christmas Read, Mock Elections, School dance, Talent Show, Winter Fayre and participation in the Angus Book Award
.
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...
in Montrose, Angus
Montrose, Angus
Montrose is a coastal resort town and former royal burgh in Angus, Scotland. It is situated 38 miles north of Dundee between the mouths of the North and South Esk rivers...
, 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...
. Its history extends as far back as the 16th century grammar school with evidence of schooling in Montrose found as early as 1329. In 1815 Montrose Academy was built and established as an exclusive fee-paying school. Due to its prominence as an educational establishment it had a history of teaching learned men who later earned esteemed positions, some of whom are well-known.
It is now a comprehensive school which serves the surrounding local community with a school roll of around 900 students and a staff roll of 79. Most pupils come from the associated primary schools of Borrowfield, Ferryden, Lochside, Rosemount, Southesk and St Margaret’s. A number of pupils come from outside the catchment area.
Montrose Academy colours are maroon and gold which appear on the school tie in broad stripes. The school badge depicts the gilded dome, a prominent feature of the facade on the old building. The school has a traditional house system
House 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...
and prefectorial system.
The Grammar School
The Grammar School of Montrose is reputed to have been the first school in Scotland to teach Classical Greek. This was made possible when John Erskine of Dun
John Erskine of Dun
-Biography:The son of Sir John Erskine, Laird of Dun, he was educated at King's College, University of Aberdeen. At the age of twenty-one Erskine was the cause — probably by accident — of a priest's death, and was forced to go abroad, where he came under the influence of the new learning...
, the then Provost of Montrose and patron of the school, brought Pierre de Marsilliers to Scotland in 1534 and founded a Greek school. The introduction of Greek at Montrose is understood to have hastened the Reformation in Scotland. In the 1530s the Protestant reformer, George Wishart
George Wishart
George Wishart was a Scottish religious reformer and Protestant martyr.He belonged to a younger branch of the Wisharts of Pitarrow near Montrose. He may have graduated M.A., probably at King's College, Aberdeen, and was certainly a student at the University of Leuven, from which he graduated in 1531...
began to teach at the school. Wishart came to be known as "the Schoolmaster of Montrose". He taught and circulated copies of the Greek Testament amongst his pupils and fled to England
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...
in 1538 when investigated for heresy
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
by William Chisholm, the then Bishop of Brechin
Bishop of Brechin
The Bishop of Brechin is the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Brechin or Angus, based at Brechin Cathedral, Brechin. The diocese had a long-established Gaelic monastic community which survived into the 13th century. The clerical establishment may very well have traced their earlier origins...
. It is likely that on his return to Scotland he taught John Knox
John Knox
John Knox was a Scottish clergyman and a leader of the Protestant Reformation who brought reformation to the church in Scotland. He was educated at the University of St Andrews or possibly the University of Glasgow and was ordained to the Catholic priesthood in 1536...
Greek before returning to teach in Montrose in 1544.
The grammar school was renowned enough as a seminary to attract such distinguished men as James Melville (1556–1614) and his uncle, Andrew Melville
Andrew Melville
Andrew Melville was a Scottish scholar, theologian and religious reformer. His fame encouraged scholars from the European Continent to study at Glasgow and St Andrews.-Early life and early education:...
. Andrew Melville
Andrew Melville
Andrew Melville was a Scottish scholar, theologian and religious reformer. His fame encouraged scholars from the European Continent to study at Glasgow and St Andrews.-Early life and early education:...
was taught Latin at the grammar school by Schoolmaster Thomas Anderson. He studied the original Greek of Aristotle
Aristotle
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
under Pierre de Marsilliers in 1557 before passing to the University of St Andrews
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
in 1559. His proficiency in Greek astonished the professors there who had no knowledge of the language. Melville later became a noted theologian and distinguished scholar of Classical Greek and Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
.
James Melville studied at Montrose in 1569 under the tutelage of Mr Andrew Milne. Melville rehearsed Calvin's Catechisms and read Virgil's Georgics
Georgics
The Georgics is a poem in four books, likely published in 29 BC. It is the second major work by the Latin poet Virgil, following his Eclogues and preceding the Aeneid. It is a poem that draws on many prior sources and influenced many later authors from antiquity to the present...
amongst other works. He used these words to describe his years of instruction:
" The maister of the scholl, was a lerned, honest, kynd man, whom also for thankfulness I name, Mr. Andro Miln. I never got a stroke of his hand; howbeit, I committed twa stupid faults, as it were with fire and sword :—Having the candle in my hand, on a winter night, before six o'clock, in the school, sitting in the class, bairnly and negligently playing with the bent, with which the floor was strewed, it kindled, so that we had much ado to put it out with our feet. The other was being molested by a condisciple, who cut the strings of my pen and ink-horn with his pen-knife ; I aiming with my pen-knife to his legs to fley him ; he feared, and lifting now a leg and now the other, rushed on his leg upon my knife, and struck himself a deep wound in the shin of the leg, which waa a quarter of a year in curing. In the time of the trying of the matter, he saw me so humble, so feared, so grieved, yield so many tears, and by fasting and mourning at the school all day, that he said he could not find in his heart to punish me farther. But my righteous God let me not slip that fault, but gave me a warning, and remembrance what it was to be denied with blood, although negligently; for within a short space, after I had caused a cutler, newly come to the town, to polish and sharp the same pen-knife, and had bought a pennyworth of apples, and cutting and eating the same in the links, as I put the slice in my mouth, I began to lope up upon a little sand brae, having the pen.knife in my right hand, I fell, and struck myself, missing my belly, an inch deep in the inward side of the left knee, even to the bean, whereby the equity of God's judgment, and my conscience struck me so, that I was the more wary of knives all my days."
George Gledstanes
George Gledstanes
George Gledstanes was an Archbishop of St Andrews during the seventeenth century.-Early life:George Gledstanes was a son of Herbert Gladstanes, clerk of Dundee, and one of the bailies of that town. He was born there between 1560 and 1565, and after spending some time at Dundee Grammar School went...
was master in 1586-7, a teacher of languages and Reader in the parish church. David Lindsay
David Lindsay (d. 1641)
David Lindsay was a Church of Scotland minister and prelate active in the seventeenth-century.-Early life and career:Born around 1575, he was a son of Colonel John Lindsay, laird of Edzell in Angus, and graduated with a Master of Arts from the University of St Andrews in 1593...
was appointed master around 1594 before becoming master at Dundee Grammar School. He was followed by James Lichton, appointed in 1614. Alexander Petrie, made master in 1622, received a salary of 25 merks per quarter
Scottish term days
Scottish term days were holy days for the people of the Kingdom of Scotland in the Middle Ages. Like the Kingdom of England's quarter days, they were the four days dividing the legal year, when rent and interest on loans, and ministers' stipends were due, and when servants were hired and paid...
for Candlemass, Lamass, and Hallowmass. Robert Graham became master in August 1638 and remained until 1644. By this time the school was increasing in numbers and an assistant master was employed in 1639. Succeeding Graham were William Clyd (6 May 1643-8 November 1643); John Nicol (1643–1645); John Cargill (1645-July 1656) and John Strachan (22 September 1656-1659). James Wishart was master from 1659 until his death in 1684. William Langmuir or Langmoor was appointed on 2 January 1684 and was in his post until 1704, when Robert Strachan took over as master. In 1686 a library was established at the Grammar School, which contained a number of rare books. On 28 June 1710 Robert Spence became master, then James Stewart in 1717 and Patrick Renny on 16 June 1725. Hugh Christie, on 10 June 1752, was the first headmaster of the school to be granted the title "Rector". His successor David Valentyne was Rector from 20 July 1766 until 19 October 1806.
In the first quarter of the eighteenth century, an "English School" opened in the town. The school taught music, French, writing, arithmetic, book-keeping, geometry and navigation. By the late eighteenth century the old Grammar School was in ruins. Construction of the 'New Schools', designed by Andrew Barrie, commenced in 1787 and was completed the following year. The buildings were constructed on the Mid Links, an area of parkland in the town, and contained separate accommodation for the Grammar School, English School and Writing School. Between the ruin of the old Grammar School and the building of the 'New Schools', the Grammar School operated from rooms in the Town House.
The teaching of French is noted in the early history of the Grammar School but German was not taught until the beginning of the nineteenth century. Painting was introduced as a subject in 1816.
The educational establishment in Montrose was one of the most renowned burgh schools in Scotland which provided a preparatory education for university study. It was especially well regarded in teaching Classics.
Montrose Academy
Montrose Academy is seen to have replaced the ancient Grammar School of Montrose which had established itself during the 16th century and absorbed all other existing burgh schools in the area. Its inception as an academy was part of a broader 18th century development in the Scottish school system towards the inclusion of more practical subjects such as navigation, drawing, arithmetic and book-keeping, alongside the traditional tuition of the Classics
Classics
Classics is the branch of the Humanities comprising the languages, literature, philosophy, history, art, archaeology and other culture of the ancient Mediterranean world ; especially Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome during Classical Antiquity Classics (sometimes encompassing Classical Studies or...
. This was seen in other Scottish provincial towns and reflected a commitment to learning which was "rooted in the past, but re-energized and adapted" due to the effects of urban growth and the rise of a commercial elite
Bourgeoisie
In sociology and political science, bourgeoisie describes a range of groups across history. In the Western world, between the late 18th century and the present day, the bourgeoisie is a social class "characterized by their ownership of capital and their related culture." A member of the...
. Academies were concentrated in the industrial towns of the east. The wide curricular provision was such that an 1866 report complained that "Classics do not occupy a prominent place, and nothing else has been substituted in the way of sound and systematic training".
Academies were initially supplementary but eventually superseded the old grammar schools, as had occurred in Montrose. The foundation of Montrose Academy came 55 years after that of the very first academy in Perth
Perth, Scotland
Perth is a town and former city and royal burgh in central Scotland. Located on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative centre of Perth and Kinross council area and the historic county town of Perthshire...
in 1760. The pupils were required to pay fees, which funded teachers' salaries. Sometimes, as in the case of James Mill, poor boys were sponsored by local ministers or benevolent landowners. In the mid-nineteenth century, a bequest left by John Erskine of Saint James Parish, Jamaica
Saint James Parish, Jamaica
St James is a suburban parish, located on the north west end of the island of Jamaica. Its capital, Montego Bay, derived from the Spanish word Manteca because many wild hogs were found there from which they made lard. It was named publicly the second city of Jamaica, behind Kingston, in 1981....
to the sum of £3000, provided education for eight orphaned boys.
Around 1815 James Calvert was Rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of the Grammar School. John Rintoul taught Reading and Grammar, James Norval taught Grammar and Geography
Geography
Geography is the science that studies the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of Earth. A literal translation would be "to describe or write about the Earth". The first person to use the word "geography" was Eratosthenes...
, Robert Baird and William Beattie taught Writing and Arithmetic, and Robert Munro taught Drawing. As was commonly practiced at the time, James Calvert had 20-30 pupils boarding in his house between 1815 and 1820. The first rector of Montrose Academy after it was formally established is said to be have been called Johnston. John Pringle Nichol
John Pringle Nichol
John Pringle Nichol FRSE was a Scottish educator, astronomer and economist who did much to popularise astronomy in a manner that appealed to nineteenth century tastes.-Early life:...
was Rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
from 1828 to 1834 and was qualified to teach Classical Literature, English Literature
English literature
English literature is the literature written in the English language, including literature composed in English by writers not necessarily from England; for example, Robert Burns was Scottish, James Joyce was Irish, Joseph Conrad was Polish, Dylan Thomas was Welsh, Edgar Allan Poe was American, J....
, French, German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
, Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
, Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
, Geography
Geography
Geography is the science that studies the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of Earth. A literal translation would be "to describe or write about the Earth". The first person to use the word "geography" was Eratosthenes...
, History
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
, Natural History
Natural History
Natural history is the scientific study of plants or animals.Natural History may also refer to:In science and medicine:* Natural History , Naturalis Historia, a 1st-century work by Pliny the Elder...
, Geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
, Astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
, Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
, Natural Philosophy
Natural philosophy
Natural philosophy or the philosophy of nature , is a term applied to the study of nature and the physical universe that was dominant before the development of modern science...
, Anatomy
Anatomy
Anatomy is a branch of biology and medicine that is the consideration of the structure of living things. It is a general term that includes human anatomy, animal anatomy , and plant anatomy...
, Physiology
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
, Animal Mechanics, Moral Philosophy and Political Economy
Political economy
Political economy originally was the term for studying production, buying, and selling, and their relations with law, custom, and government, as well as with the distribution of national income and wealth, including through the budget process. Political economy originated in moral philosophy...
. He was later appointed Professor of Astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
at the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
in 1836, finding fame through his essays and lectures.
In 1832 the Montrose Grammar School building was acquired by the Board of Health for use as a cholera hospital, resulting in the transfer of teachers to Montrose Academy. The 1841 Census reveals that Rev. Alexander Stewart was rector of Montrose Academy while James Calvert was "Rector of the Grammar School". It is evident that both schools existed as independent institutions but within the same building. Yet by 1846 it is clear that Montrose Academy had come to replace the old Grammar School, and it is mentioned as the prominent educational institution in the town. There was no formalised leadership of the school for some time. In 1845, the second Statistical Account recorded that the Rector of the school taught mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, geography
Geography
Geography is the science that studies the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of Earth. A literal translation would be "to describe or write about the Earth". The first person to use the word "geography" was Eratosthenes...
and French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and that there were two teachers of English; two teachers of writing and arithmetic and two for Latin. The school was then attended by 347 pupils. By the mid-nineteenth century the staff consisted of the rector, the rector's assistant, four masters and a mistress. Staff from around this time include Alexander Madoland (Drawing Master from 1843 to 1881); and Alex Monfries (English Master in 1867). Reading of the Bible was considered an obligatory part of learning.
Montrose Academy remained a burgh school until 1872 when it was designated "a higher class public school" and the best in its region because it was an exclusive fee-paying school which provided higher instruction in such subjects as Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
, modern languages, mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
and natural science
Natural science
The natural sciences are branches of science that seek to elucidate the rules that govern the natural world by using empirical and scientific methods...
. The 1872 Education Act transferred management of all burgh schools from town councils to elected school boards. From 1888 further reform brought in a Scottish leaving certificate, to be examined by university professors. Montrose Academy continued to provide preparatory education until the mid-twentieth century. The intake then was predominantly middle class.
Modern Extension
Montrose Academy has steadily expanded in size and range of studies offered. Tuition of the classics continued into the later nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The curriculum expanded at the beginning of the twentieth century to include more scientific subject matter. An endowment in 1891 provided facilities for a new science and art school. By 1900 gymnastics and swimming were introduced to the curriculum. There was also a preparatory school attached - Montrose Academy Elementary School, which existed until the 1970s. In 1932 the local Townhead School, which taught commercial and technical subjects, became part of Montrose Academy. It was fully amalgamated by the 1950s.Universal secondary education was enacted in 1936 but schools were split on a meritocratic basis, between "junior secondary schools" leading to no qualifications and "senior secondary schools", like Montrose Academy, where pupils would earn a leaving certificate and university entrance. Montrose Academy eventually became a state school in 1965 after the introduction of comprehensive schools throughout Scotland.
Montrose Academy is a community school, of which the catchment area extends to the surrounding villages of Craigo, Hillside
Hillside, Angus
Hillside is a village in Angus, Scotland, situated 1 mile to the north of Montrose. This is the location for the psychiatric hospital, Sunnyside Royal Hospital.-External links:*...
and Ferryden. The feeder schools are Borrowfield Primary School, Ferryden Primary School, Lochside Primary School, Southesk Primary School, St Margaret's Primary School and Rosemount.
Building
The original Montrose Academy building, designed by David Logan is connected to its wings by screens of Ionic columns which were added in 1841 and were designed to harmonise with the existing frontage. The distinctive facade is the only part of the original building to survive but is a fine example of Scottish architectureArchitecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
in the Neo-Classical
Neoclassical architecture
Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century, manifested both in its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and in its architectural formulas as an outgrowth of some classicizing...
style. It has been Category B listed since 1971 by Historic Scotland.
The original 1815 building contained three classrooms on the ground floor, and three on the floor above with a room contained within the dome. The 1841 addition of two ground floor wings situated north and south of the original facade, provided more space for teaching.
Further improvements were made during the twentieth century expansion of the school. After 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...
Montrose Academy's copper dome was covered in gold leaf as a war memorial, paid for by Miss Blanche Mearns. In the 1960s two memorials were added to the east exterior wall of the Assembly Hall, bearing the names of former students who had died in both world wars.
In 1955 plans were unveiled for new buildings to be added to the old Montrose Academy. Houses in the Academy Square were demolished and £250,000 set aside. The 1961 extension, officially declared open on 23 October of that year, brought into use two three storey blocks attached to the 1841 additions. The major work of the last Extension in 1988-89 was the building of the East Wing, a two storey block linked to the old West Wing by walkways. It contains a number of teaching areas in addition to a Library, Communications Studio, Social Areas and Dining Room. In 2000, the 'Millenium Garden' was developed in the West Wing courtyard.
The most recent significant alterations were made in 2006. The East Annexe building which was once the Montrose Academy Elementary has been demolished. It housed the Drama and Music departments which have since been relocated to the main building. Music is now taught in the West Wing and Drama in the East Wing. During this relocation improvements were made to classroom space for IT, Drama and Music. In addition, £64,000 was spent on updating Home Economics classrooms. Science labs were refurbished in 2010.
Rectors of Montrose Academy
Former Rector John Strong (1868–1945), who later became Professor of Education at the University of LeedsUniversity of Leeds
The University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
, wrote about the history of Montrose Academy. His son, Sir Kenneth Strong
Kenneth Strong
Major General Sir Kenneth William Dobson Strong KBE, CB was a British Army officer who served in the Second World War, rising to become Director General of Intelligence. A graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Strong was commissioned into the 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers in 1920...
(1900–1982), who attended the school, was a Major-General in the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
, commander of Royal Scots Fusiliers
Royal Scots Fusiliers
-The Earl of Mar's Regiment of Foot :The regiment was raised in Scotland in 1678 by Stuart loyalist Charles Erskine, de jure 5th Earl of Mar for service against the rebel covenanting forces during the Second Whig Revolt . They were used to keep the peace and put down brigands, mercenaries, and...
in North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
, Chief of Intelligence for U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
and Director-General of Intelligence for Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
(1964–66).
The following is extracted from various sources as no complete list has been published.
| Known Rectors of Montrose Academy | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| # | Name | Date Recorded | |
| 1 | Johnston | 1815-22 | |
| 2 | John Pringle Nichol | 1828–1834 | |
| 3 | Rev. Alexander Stewart | 1837–1841 | |
| 4 | James Anderson | 1847 | |
| 5 | Charles B. Smith | 1852–1866 | |
| 6 | J.B. Wardrop | 1866 | |
| 7 | Smith | 1872 | |
| 8 | James Stobo | 1880–1891 | |
| 9 | David Campbell | 1891–1899 | |
| 10 | Dr John Strong | 1900–1914 | |
| 11 | George A. Burnett | 1914–1919 | |
| 12 | John Yorston | 1919–1928 | |
| 13 | Camerson | 1947 | |
| 14 | Dr George Howie | 1950- | |
| 15 | Harold Cranswick | ||
| 16 | William Harold "Harry" Faulkner | 1990s-1997 | |
| 17 | George Stachura | 1997–2008 | |
| 18 | Ronald Small | 2008-2011 |
Former teachers
- the religious reformer George WishartGeorge WishartGeorge Wishart was a Scottish religious reformer and Protestant martyr.He belonged to a younger branch of the Wisharts of Pitarrow near Montrose. He may have graduated M.A., probably at King's College, Aberdeen, and was certainly a student at the University of Leuven, from which he graduated in 1531...
(1513–46) - the artist Alexander Madoland (1801–1895), the astronomer John Pringle NicholJohn Pringle NicholJohn Pringle Nichol FRSE was a Scottish educator, astronomer and economist who did much to popularise astronomy in a manner that appealed to nineteenth century tastes.-Early life:...
(1804–1859) - the mathematician John Robertson Pullar (1860–1940),
Organisation
The school management aims to develop a "positive, supportive and caring ethos" through engaging with parents and the wider local community. This includes improving academic attainment and encouraging wider involvement in the community.Attempts have been made to improve the environmental offset of the school; new green recycling facilities were set up around the school in 2009. It has become the first Fairtrade school in Angus
Angus
Angus is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland, a registration county and a lieutenancy area. The council area borders Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross and Dundee City...
.
The school has a Parent Teacher Association and a Pupil Senate.
Structure
Montrose Academy is headed by the Rector and three deputy rectors. The school departments are Business Education and Computing, English, Expressive Arts (Art, Drama, Music), Health (Home Economics, Physical Education), Mathematics, Modern Languages (French, German), Social Subjects (Geography, History, Modern Studies, Religious Education), Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), Support for Learning and Technical Education (Craft and Design, Graphic Communication and Technological Studies). Each department is headed by a Principal Teacher. There are a number of technical and support staff. The school is divided organisationally into the Junior School (S1-S2), Middle School (S3-S4) and Senior School (S5-S6).Pastoral Care
A 2004 inspector's report noted that the school was "very welcoming". In general the school aims to foster the potential of each individual child as part of a holistic approach to education. It issues a code of conduct which states that pupils should be punctual and considerate of others; behave sensibly; dress appropriately for school; use their common sense; be prepared for class and work hard. Though the school is non-denominational it arranges for four chaplains from local churches, both Protestant and Catholic, to occasionally take assemblies. But reserves the right of parents to withdraw their children from instruction in religious subjects. All year groups have classes in "Social Education" which focuses on health, moral issues, personal and careers development. Careers Officers in the school provide advice on academic decision-making. The school provides clothing grants and bursaries to those in financial need.A 2010 Inspectors' Report noted the school's strengths in supporting children during the transition from primary to secondary school, and the involvement of its pupils in fundraising activities. However it stated that "a number of young people" were unhappy about how the school dealt with poor behaviour and bullying.
House and Prefectorial System
Montrose Academy retains some traditions from its history including a house and prefectorial system. There were originally four houses: Burness, Erskine, Graham and Melville, named for prominent Montrose families. In 2006 they were replaced by three houses: Dun, Esk and Lunan, as part of a re-structuring. Junior pupils receive lessons in their respective house groups but are split by ability in English and Maths. In the Middle and Senior school pupils are taught in their chosen qualification level for end of year exams. They are supervised for guidance, sex education and drug awareness lessons by house throughout their time at school. Pastoral care is co-ordinated by six Principal Teachers of Pupil Care and Support, two for each house. Morning registration classes are mixed year groups divided by house.Prefects are selected from the fifth year students. A Head Girl and Boy, Deputy Head Girl and Boy, Sports Captains, and a team of prefects are selected from sixth year seniors. Montrose Academy has a peer-support programme which involves prefects in helping first years with the transition to secondary school.
Performance
The strongest academic performance has been in BiologyBiology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
, Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
and Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
. The number of students progressing to university is generally consistent with the national average and in 2010 was above the national average. In 2007 it was ranked 272 in Scotland for Standard Grade
Standard 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...
exam results from around 460 state schools. Standard Grade and Higher pass rates since 2008 have dropped slightly below the national average. However numbers passing Advanced Higher level examinations were above the national average for 2010. The 2010 report noted that pupils in the Senior School tended to perform less well and that "at all stages, young people could attain and achieve more".
School attendance is above the national average.
Curriculum
Montrose Academy follows the Scottish education system and the Curriculum for ExcellenceCurriculum for Excellence
Curriculum for Excellence is the national curriculum for Scottish Schools for learners from age 3 to 18. It was developed out of a 2002 consultation exercise – the 'National Debate on Education' – undertaken by the Scottish Executive on the state of school education...
. In S1-S2 pupils take courses from all departments. From S3 pupils take 8 courses culminating in Standard Grade examinations at the end of S4. Pupils in the Senior School choose around 5 from a range of Higher grade subjects where Advanced Highers (a maximum of 3) can be taken in S6. However teaching of Advanced Highers is less comprehensive. In 2009 Angus Council announced that it was dropping Advanced Higher Business Management, History and Modern Studies from the curriculum. Certain subjects are compulsory at Standard Grade level including English, Mathematics, one Science, one Social Subject (Geography, History, Modern Studies) and one Modern Language (French or German). Pupils in the Senior School are able to study Higher Psychology through day classes at Angus College
Angus College
Angus College is a college in Arbroath, Scotland, which was founded in 1956. The institute currently teaches around 12,000 students and trainees.-External links:*...
.
Academic Prizes
The school awards the DuxDux
Dux is Latin for leader and later for Duke and its variant forms ....
yearly, an award first instituted in honour of Alexander Burnes. The Dux has been awarded since around 1896. Other long-standing prizes include the Warrack Essay Prize (gifted by Sir James Howard Warrack), Duke Medal (for Mathematics) and the Henry Steele Prize (awarded for History). A number of prizes are sponsored by local businesses and organisations. School Colours are awarded for representation of the school at a national level in sport or other activities.
Educational Links
In 2006 links were established with a new sister school in ChinaChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
following the twinning of Angus
Angus
Angus is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland, a registration county and a lieutenancy area. The council area borders Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross and Dundee City...
with Yantai City. Twinning arrangements have been made in other Angus schools, Webster's High School
Webster's High School
Webster's High School is a secondary school in Kirriemuir, Angus, Scotland.-Subjects:Webster's High School offers a large and wide range of subjects....
and Brechin High School
Brechin High School
Brechin High School is a non-denominational secondary school in Brechin, Angus, Scotland.-Admissions:It has approximately 660 students, and a staff of 50...
. It is hoped that these ties will enable the teaching of Mandarin Chinese as part of future plans. From 2010 Montrose Rotary Club is working to establish links between the school and Lawson Academy in Nyumbani, Kitui District
Kitui District
Kitui District is an administrative district in the Eastern Province of Kenya. Its capital town is Kitui. The district has a population of 515,422 and an area of 20,402 km² .- Government :...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, a village created to accommodate HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
orphans and grandparents affected by a high incidence of AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
in the region.
Exchange Programmes
Students studying German have the option of becoming part of an exchange with Icking Gymnasium in IckingIcking
Icking is a municipality in the district of Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen in Bavaria in Germany.-Townships:It consists of:*Attenhausen*Dorfen*Holzen*Icking*Irschenhausen*Meilenberg*Obere Alpe*Schützenried*Schlederloh*Spatzenloh*Wadlhausen*Walchstadt...
, Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
. Since 2007 an exchange programme has been running between Montrose Academy and Forest Park High School in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, USA.
Clubs and Organizations
Student activities include the Baroque Ensemble, Book Group, Breakfast Club, cheerleadingCheerleading
Cheerleading is a physical activity, sometimes a competitive sport, based on organized routines, usually ranging from one to three minutes, which contain the components of tumbling, dance, jumps, cheers, and stunting to direct spectators of events to cheer on sports teams at games or to participate...
, Chess Club, Craft Club, Drama Club, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Fairtrade Group, fantasy football, Green Group, Montrose Academy Musical Association, Pottery, Samba Band, School Choir, Spanish Club, War Games Club, XL Club, Young Enterprise
Young Enterprise
Young Enterprise is a not-for-profit business and enterprise education charity in the United Kingdom. It is made up of 12 regional organisations, each operating individually under a license agreement...
and Zumba
Zumba
Zumba is the largest dance fitness program in the world, based on a Latin-inspired dance fitness program created by dancer and choreographer Alberto "Beto" Perez in Colombia during the 1990s....
.
Montrose Academy has an active debating society and has previously entered teams into the Scottish National Youth Parliament Competition (organised by the Citizenship Foundation
Citizenship Foundation
The Citizenship Foundation is an independent UK charity which aims to empower individuals to engage in the wider community through education about the law, democracy and society...
). The school won the competition in 2005 and 2006. They were finalists in 2007 and runner-up in 2008. The English Department runs an annual debating competition for pupils in the Junior School where the winning team is entered into The Courier and Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland Schools Junior Debating Competition
School debating in Scotland
School Debating in Scotland is a competitive activity taken up on an extracurricular basis by many schools across the country. Teams of two or three compete in several competitions and schools debaters may be selected for Scotland in the World Schools Debating Championships.Scotland were the 2007...
.
Sports
There are small gymnasia inside the school and playing grounds outside. The facilities of the adjacent Sports Centre are used by the school for physical education classes. A new swimming pool is being built attached to the Sports Centre; work started in 2011 and the project will be completed by October 2012. During this time improvements are being made at Montrose Academy including the installation of a small gym, new flooring, changing rooms and showers to the cost of £140,000.The academy's sports clubs include Archery, Athletics, Cycling, Football, Indoor Cricket, Rugby, Step Aerobics and Yamado Kai Karate.
Other Activities
Pupils at Montrose Academy are involved in voting in the Rose Queen (and her attendants) who have been crowned at the annual Montrose Highland Games since 1968.Yearly events include the Christmas Read, Mock Elections, School dance, Talent Show, Winter Fayre and participation in the Angus Book Award
Angus Book Award
The Angus Book Award is a literary award for UK authors of teenage fiction. It is awarded by Angus Council in Scotland. The award is decided by the votes of the secondary schools in Angus. The pupils host the awards every year. The ceremony is hosted by a different school each year...
.
Alumni
- the botanist Robert BrownRobert Brown (botanist)Robert Brown was a Scottish botanist and palaeobotanist who made important contributions to botany largely through his pioneering use of the microscope...
(1773–1858), - politician Joseph HumeJoseph HumeJoseph Hume FRS was a Scottish doctor and Radical MP, born in Montrose, Angus.-Medical career:He studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh and moved to India in 1797...
(1777–1855), and James MillJames MillJames Mill was a Scottish historian, economist, political theorist, and philosopher. He was a founder of classical economics, together with David Ricardo, and the father of influential philosopher of classical liberalism, John Stuart Mill.-Life:Mill was born at Northwater Bridge, in the parish of...
(1773–1836) historianHistorianA historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
, economistEconomistAn economist is a professional in the social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy...
, political theorist, and philosopher attended the school during the same period. - Alexander Gibson (botanist)Alexander Gibson (botanist)Alexander Gibson was a Scottish surgeon and botanist who worked in India.He was born in Kincardineshire and studied at Edinburgh. He went to India as a surgeon in the Honourable East India Company...
- the poet Alexander Smart (b.1798), satirised the teaching methods of James Norval at Montrose Academy in his poem, "Recollections of Auld Lang Syne".
- Edward BalfourEdward BalfourEdward Green Balfour was a Scottish surgeon, orientalist and pioneering environmentalist in India best known for the Cyclopaedia of India several editions of which were published after 1857.-Life and career:Balfour was the second son of Captain George Balfour of the East India Company marine service...
, (1813–1889) was a surgeon, orientalist and pioneering environmentalist. * Captain Sir Alexander BurnesAlexander BurnesCaptain Sir Alexander Burnes was a Scottish traveller and explorer who took part in The Great Game. He was nicknamed Bokhara Burnes for his role in establishing contact with and exploring Bukhara, which made his name.-Early life:He was born in Montrose, Scotland, to the son of the local provost,...
(1805–41), traveller and explorer also had connections with India - A number of former pupils are connected with the Scottish RenaissanceScottish RenaissanceThe Scottish Renaissance was a mainly literary movement of the early to mid 20th century that can be seen as the Scottish version of modernism. It is sometimes referred to as the Scottish literary renaissance, although its influence went beyond literature into music, visual arts, and politics...
cultural movement of the early twentieth century. This includes the writers John Angus (1906–1968), Fionn MacCollaFionn MacCollaFionn MacColla born Thomas Douglas MacDonald on 4 March 1906, was a Scottish novelist closely connected to the Scottish Renaissance. Although he wrote in English, he was very interested in Scottish Gaelic language and culture and campaigned for it to return to, what he perceived to be, its...
and Willa Muir (1890–1970) (wife of Edwin MuirEdwin MuirEdwin Muir was an Orcadian poet, novelist and translator born on a farm in Deerness on the Orkney Islands. He was remembered for his deeply felt and vivid poetry in plain language with few stylistic preoccupations....
); - the poets Helen CruickshankHelen CruickshankHelen Burness Cruickshank was a minor Scottish poet and suffragette, better known for being a focal point of the Scottish Renaissance. At her home in Corstorphine, various Scottish writers of note would meet....
(1886–1975) and Hugh MacDiarmidHugh MacDiarmidHugh MacDiarmid is the pen name of Christopher Murray Grieve , a significant Scottish poet of the 20th century. He was instrumental in creating a Scottish version of modernism and was a leading light in the Scottish Renaissance of the 20th century...
(1892–1978) - the artists Edward BairdEdward BairdEdward Baird was born in Montrose in 1904, the son of a sea captain. He was descended from a long line of seafarers, but poor health throughout his life meant that he was unable to follow his forebears to sea...
(1904–49) and William Lamb (1893–1951). - George Soutar (1864–1939), scholar of Classical Greek
- William Allen Neilson (1869–1946), writer and Professor of English.;
- Prof James Simpson Silver CBE (1913–1997), former James Watt Chair of Mechanical Engineering from 1967-79 at the University of GlasgowUniversity of GlasgowThe University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
;, and Professor of Mechanical Engineering from 1962-6 at Heriot-Watt University\Heriot-Watt College - Prof Arthur James Beattie (1914–1996), Professor of Greek from 1951-81 at the University of EdinburghUniversity of EdinburghThe University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
, and fellow and lecturer in Greek and ClassicsClassicsClassics is the branch of the Humanities comprising the languages, literature, philosophy, history, art, archaeology and other culture of the ancient Mediterranean world ; especially Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome during Classical Antiquity Classics (sometimes encompassing Classical Studies or...
at Sidney Sussex College, University of CambridgeUniversity of CambridgeThe University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
(1946–51); - Robert CormackRobert CormackEmeritus Professor Robert Cormack retired in late 2009 after an illustrious career in higher education, most notably at Queen’s University, Belfast where his service spanned the troubles in Northern Ireland...
(1946-), Professor of Sociology and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (1996–2001) of the Queen's University of Belfast. - gynaecologist John Chassar Moir CBE (1900–1977), Nuffield Professor of Obstetrics and Gynæcology from 1937-67 at the University of OxfordUniversity of OxfordThe University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
, and who led research in the 1930s which resulted in the discovery of ergometrine. - electrical engineer James BlythJames Blyth (engineer)Professor James Blyth MA, LLD, FRSE , was a Scottish electrical engineer and academic at Anderson's College, now the University of Strathclyde, in Glasgow...
(1838–1906), was an early pioneer of wind power who built the world's first wind turbine that generated electricity in 1887, although lacked a control mechanism (later developed by the American Charles F. BrushCharles F. BrushCharles Francis Brush was a U.S. inventor, entrepreneur and philanthropist.-Biography:Born in Euclid Township, Ohio, Brush was raised on a farm about 10 miles from downtown Cleveland...
) - Major General George Alexander RennyGeorge Alexander RennyMajor General George Alexander Renny VC was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
(1825–1887) received the Victoria Cross. - accountant William Barclay PeatWilliam Barclay PeatSir William Barclay Peat was born on the 15th February 1852 in Forebank St Cyrus, Kincardine, Scotland. He was the second son of James Peat and Margaret Barclay...
(1852–1936) studied law at Montrose Academy, whose company founded in 1870 became Peat Marwick, and later the worldwide KPMGKPMGKPMG is one of the largest professional services networks in the world and one of the Big Four auditors, along with Deloitte, Ernst & Young and PwC. Its global headquarters is located in Amstelveen, Netherlands....
company in 1987 when it merged with the Dutch firm KMGKlynveld Kraayenhof & Co.Klynveld Kraayenhof & Co. was a Dutch accountancy firm founded in 1917 by Piet Klynveld and Jaap Kraayenhof, who was one of Klynveld's former employees at another firm. The firm specialized in banking and exporting and kept its independence by serving Dutch clients who were expanding throughout... - footballer Gordon Smith (1924–2004) who played for Hibernian F.C.Hibernian F.C.Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
- Journalist and former pupil Richard (Rick) Wilson, founding editor of [The Scotsman]] magazine.
- Alexander Jessop, Sheriff of Grampian, Highland and Islands at Aberdeen in 1990
- Robert Maiden, Managing Director from 1986-91 of the Royal Bank of ScotlandRoyal Bank of ScotlandThe Royal Bank of Scotland Group is a British banking and insurance holding company in which the UK Government holds an 84% stake. This stake is held and managed through UK Financial Investments Limited, whose voting rights are limited to 75% in order for the bank to retain its listing on the...
- Sir Alan Rothnie CMG, Ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 1972-6, and to Switzerland from 1976-80
- John Cameron, anatomist
- Roy Helmore CBE, Principal from 1977-86 of Cambridgeshire College of Arts and Technology (now the Cambridge campus of Anglia Ruskin UniversityAnglia Ruskin UniversityAnglia Ruskin University is one of the largest universities in Eastern England, United Kingdom, with a total student population of around 30,000.-History:...
), and President from 1972-3 of the Association of Principals of Colleges - Sir Henry Japp CBE, former Chief Engineer (civil) of John Mowlem & Co. LtdMowlemMowlem was one of the largest construction and civil engineering companies in the United Kingdom. Carillion bought the firm in 2006.-History:Founded by John Mowlem in 1822, the company was awarded a Royal Warrant in 1902 and went public on the London Stock Exchange in 1924. It acquired SGB Group in...
- Sir Andrew Caird, former Managing Director from 1922-6 of Associated NewspapersAssociated NewspapersAssociated Newspapers is a large national newspaper publisher in the UK, which is a subsidiary of the Daily Mail and General Trust. The group was established in 1905 and is currently based at Northcliffe House in Kensington...
(publisher of the Daily MailDaily MailThe Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
)
External links
- School website
- Montrose Academy on Scottish Schools Online
- Inspection of Standards and Quality in Montrose Academy - 21 September 2010 (Angus Council)
- Angus Secondary School Attainment levels 2007-2009 (Angus Council)
- Montrose Academy War Memorial (1914-1918)
- Montrose Academy War Memorial (1939-1945)
- Montrose Academy Alumni Group
- Montrose Academy (Friendsreunited)
- Montrose Academy Modern Languages Department Blog
- Montrose Academy Musical Association (M.A.M.A)
- Scottish/American Exchange Website