Alloa Academy
Encyclopedia
Alloa Academy is a six-year state-funded comprehensive school
, serving the town of Alloa
in Clackmannanshire
, Scotland
. It is not known as a 'good' school and in a recent league table published by The Herald it was revealed that only 4% of pupils leave this school with 5 Highers, the lowest in the county. Its roll is rising slightly, with over 800 pupils. It serves the town of Alloa only and has four primary schools associated with it: Claremont, Sunnyside, Park and St John's. It also welcomes pupils from St Mungo's Primary. The school currently has 74 teaching staff. The school is truly comprehensive and the pupil intake varies from a very middle class area to an area of severe deprivation. The school moved location after Christmas 2008. The old building in the Claremont area of Alloa was built in 1959, opened by her majesty Queen Elizabeth II and demolished in 2010. The new school is adjacent to the Glassworks and is in view of the River Forth
.
(SQA) school qualifications; Standard Grade
, Intermediate 1
& 2
, Higher
and Advanced Higher, although other qualifications are also offered, such as access courses and non-certificated qualifications such as Creative Cake Design and Game Design, which can be undertaken by pupils in their fifth or sixth year at the school.
Notably the timetabled started a week late this year, rumoured to have been a result of staffing 'issues'.
However, since the school has moved to its new location, the school changed its motto to "Learning To Inspire", although this change was not taken well at all amongst pupils, parents and members of the Clackmannanshire community.
Normally, the most popular choice of clothing is a white poloshirt and the school's classic maroon sweatshirt, which is normally the first choice for most pupils in first to fourth year, although they also have further clothing options.
Many pupils, especially those in 4th, 5th and 6th year also have the opportunity to wear a plain white shirt and school tie - which has different designs depending on whether the pupil is classed as Junior (1st year to 4th year) or Senior (5th and 6th years).
In addition, all prefects and Heads are expected to wear the school's "Prefect Blazer" at all times - this consists of a maroon blazer, encompassing both white braiding, the school's badge and a white stripe across the wrists.
However, other pupils may wear a plain blazer, without braiding, and seniors who are not prefects or Heads may also wear a "Senior Blazer" which consists of a maroon blazer with white braiding but no stripe across the wrists.
All pupils, despite their role or year in the school, are expected to wear black trousers or in the case of females, a knee-length skirt (blatant sexism from alloa academy), at all times.
and head girl along with Deputy head boy
and deputy head girl were previously elected by their fellow prefects and teachers, however as of 2011, a new system has been put into place:
First of all, the prefects for the upcoming year are elected from 4th and 5th year via an application process. The application consists of a few questions regarding why the pupil feels he/she should be considered for the role of prefect and what they would bring to the role, while another section requires the pupil to receive two staff supporters to sign their application to show that they are supported and regarded as a capable to do the job by their teachers. After this application process has been completed, the prefects are then announced at their yeargroup assemblies, and they are congratulated. Those who have been successful in achieving prefect status in S5, for the following year, are then able to apply to become Head Boy or Head Girl, however, this follows a more thorough and strict way of selection: they must complete a further application form consisting of similar questions to the one they had to complete to apply for prefectship. This form also requires staff signatories, although this time the candidate must receive three further staff supporters, none of which could have been included in their prefect application. Then, the forms are looked at by the Senior Management Team and the candidates go through an individual interview process by a board of staff, including the current Head Boy and Head Girl. After this interview has been completed, the candidates are individually informed of whether or not they have been successful in proceeding to the next stage of the application process - at this point the number of candidates is narrowed down to three for Head Boy and three for Head Girl. Then, after this the successful candidates are given time to prepare a short speech for presentation to all pupils at the school through three House Group assemblies. After each candidate has given their speech, all pupils then participate in a ballot to decide who they think should be given the role of Head Boy and Head Girl for the upcoming academic session.
After this, the SMT look over the whole process in great detail and decide who the Head Boy and Head Girl and Depute Head Boy and Depute Head Girl will be for the following academic session - the winning candidates are announced at the Senior Awards Ceremony in April.
each with their own guidance teacher who offers help, support and takes Social Education classes. The three houses are Bruce, Erskine and Schaw. In 2003 the house Abercrombie was removed and students in that house were placed in the three remaining houses. To each house there are two house captains, one male and one female. The house captains are elected through the whole of a particular house voting.
medal was re-awarded after many years of absence at the Annual Prizegiving Awards Ceremony.
, held in Dunmar House Hotel. The prom committee (S6 Students)set about organising the prom. The prom is very special in this day in age as almost all of the leaving year attend the prom. As well as that, a large number of staff attend the event as well. The previous years Head Boy and Head Girl are invited back as guests of honour.
. Long may this continue as staff (outside the management team) and pupils alike find this a great keepsake.
Comprehensive school
A comprehensive school is a state school that does not select its intake on the basis of academic achievement or aptitude. This is in contrast to the selective school system, where admission is restricted on the basis of a selection criteria. The term is commonly used in relation to the United...
, serving the town of Alloa
Alloa
Alloa is a town and former burgh in Clackmannanshire, set in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. It lies on on the north bank of the Firth of Forth close to the foot of the Ochil Hills, east of Stirling and north of Falkirk....
in Clackmannanshire
Clackmannanshire
Clackmannanshire, often abbreviated to Clacks is a local government council area in Scotland, and a lieutenancy area, bordering Perth and Kinross, Stirling and Fife.As Scotland's smallest historic county, it is often nicknamed 'The Wee County'....
, 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...
. It is not known as a 'good' school and in a recent league table published by The Herald it was revealed that only 4% of pupils leave this school with 5 Highers, the lowest in the county. Its roll is rising slightly, with over 800 pupils. It serves the town of Alloa only and has four primary schools associated with it: Claremont, Sunnyside, Park and St John's. It also welcomes pupils from St Mungo's Primary. The school currently has 74 teaching staff. The school is truly comprehensive and the pupil intake varies from a very middle class area to an area of severe deprivation. The school moved location after Christmas 2008. The old building in the Claremont area of Alloa was built in 1959, opened by her majesty Queen Elizabeth II and demolished in 2010. The new school is adjacent to the Glassworks and is in view of the River Forth
River Forth
The River Forth , long, is the major river draining the eastern part of the central belt of Scotland.The Forth rises in Loch Ard in the Trossachs, a mountainous area some west of Stirling...
.
Subjects
The school teaches a variety of subjects,that are split into faculties, offering most at all levels of Scottish Qualifications AuthorityScottish Qualifications Authority
The Scottish Qualifications Authority is a non-departmental public body responsible for accreditation and awarding. It is partly funded by the Education and Lifelong Learning Directorate of the Scottish Government, employing 750 staff, based in Glasgow and Dalkeith...
(SQA) school qualifications; 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...
, Intermediate 1
Intermediate 1
Intermediate 1 is an educational qualification in Scotland on the Scottish Qualifications Authority Scottish Qualifications Certificate achievement ladder similar to General Level at Standard Grades; it is the next step after Access 3...
& 2
Intermediate 2
Intermediate 2 level is Level 5 on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework. Though equivalent to the Credit Level Standard Grade, there is an element of debate to this as it is perceived to be more difficult in some subjects, but less in others....
, Higher
Higher (Scottish)
In Scotland the Higher is one of the national school-leaving certificate exams and university entrance qualifications of the Scottish Qualifications Certificate offered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. It superseded the old Higher Grade on the Scottish Certificate of Education...
and Advanced Higher, although other qualifications are also offered, such as access courses and non-certificated qualifications such as Creative Cake Design and Game Design, which can be undertaken by pupils in their fifth or sixth year at the school.
Notably the timetabled started a week late this year, rumoured to have been a result of staffing 'issues'.
Motto
Traditionally the school motto has been "Circumspice" which translates to "Look Aboot Ye", a local motto, in Latin.However, since the school has moved to its new location, the school changed its motto to "Learning To Inspire", although this change was not taken well at all amongst pupils, parents and members of the Clackmannanshire community.
Uniform
Alloa Academy follows a strict regime of uniform for all of its pupils.Normally, the most popular choice of clothing is a white poloshirt and the school's classic maroon sweatshirt, which is normally the first choice for most pupils in first to fourth year, although they also have further clothing options.
Many pupils, especially those in 4th, 5th and 6th year also have the opportunity to wear a plain white shirt and school tie - which has different designs depending on whether the pupil is classed as Junior (1st year to 4th year) or Senior (5th and 6th years).
In addition, all prefects and Heads are expected to wear the school's "Prefect Blazer" at all times - this consists of a maroon blazer, encompassing both white braiding, the school's badge and a white stripe across the wrists.
However, other pupils may wear a plain blazer, without braiding, and seniors who are not prefects or Heads may also wear a "Senior Blazer" which consists of a maroon blazer with white braiding but no stripe across the wrists.
All pupils, despite their role or year in the school, are expected to wear black trousers or in the case of females, a knee-length skirt (blatant sexism from alloa academy), at all times.
Pupils
Approximately 800 attend the school each year between the ages of approximately 11 to 18. The majority have attended one of the four primary schools in the catchment area; St Johns Primary, Sunnyside Primary, Claremont Primary and Park Primary. Some children may attend from St. Mungos as well. Children from other areas attend after successful application by parents. The school comprises Junior School (S1-S3) and Senior School (S4-S6). In S5 & S6, prefects are elected to help with tasks throughout the school and are in conjunction with the Senior Management Team. In S6, a head boyHead boy
Head Boy and Head Girl are terms commonly used in the British education system, and in private schools throughout the Commonwealth.-United Kingdom:...
and head girl along with Deputy head boy
Head boy
Head Boy and Head Girl are terms commonly used in the British education system, and in private schools throughout the Commonwealth.-United Kingdom:...
and deputy head girl were previously elected by their fellow prefects and teachers, however as of 2011, a new system has been put into place:
First of all, the prefects for the upcoming year are elected from 4th and 5th year via an application process. The application consists of a few questions regarding why the pupil feels he/she should be considered for the role of prefect and what they would bring to the role, while another section requires the pupil to receive two staff supporters to sign their application to show that they are supported and regarded as a capable to do the job by their teachers. After this application process has been completed, the prefects are then announced at their yeargroup assemblies, and they are congratulated. Those who have been successful in achieving prefect status in S5, for the following year, are then able to apply to become Head Boy or Head Girl, however, this follows a more thorough and strict way of selection: they must complete a further application form consisting of similar questions to the one they had to complete to apply for prefectship. This form also requires staff signatories, although this time the candidate must receive three further staff supporters, none of which could have been included in their prefect application. Then, the forms are looked at by the Senior Management Team and the candidates go through an individual interview process by a board of staff, including the current Head Boy and Head Girl. After this interview has been completed, the candidates are individually informed of whether or not they have been successful in proceeding to the next stage of the application process - at this point the number of candidates is narrowed down to three for Head Boy and three for Head Girl. Then, after this the successful candidates are given time to prepare a short speech for presentation to all pupils at the school through three House Group assemblies. After each candidate has given their speech, all pupils then participate in a ballot to decide who they think should be given the role of Head Boy and Head Girl for the upcoming academic session.
After this, the SMT look over the whole process in great detail and decide who the Head Boy and Head Girl and Depute Head Boy and Depute Head Girl will be for the following academic session - the winning candidates are announced at the Senior Awards Ceremony in April.
Houses
Pupils are split up into three different housesHouse 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...
each with their own guidance teacher who offers help, support and takes Social Education classes. The three houses are Bruce, Erskine and Schaw. In 2003 the house Abercrombie was removed and students in that house were placed in the three remaining houses. To each house there are two house captains, one male and one female. The house captains are elected through the whole of a particular house voting.
Notable former pupils
Notable former pupils include:- Robert YoungerRobert Younger, Baron BlanesburghRobert Younger, Baron Blanesburgh GBE, PC, QC was a Scottish barrister and judge.The son of James Younger and Janet McEwan, and younger brother of the 1st Viscount Younger of Leckie, he was educated at Edinburgh Academy and Balliol College, Oxford, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in...
, (younger brother of George) Lord Blanesborough, principal delegate at the World War IWorld War IWorld 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...
reparations committee - William McEwan, brewer (uncle of George and Robert Younger) and Liberal politician
- James Lennox DawsonJames Lennox DawsonColonel James Lennox Dawson VC was a Scottish 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....
, won the Victoria Cross at LoosBattle of LoosThe Battle of Loos was one of the major British offensives mounted on the Western Front in 1915 during World War I. It marked the first time the British used poison gas during the war, and is also famous for the fact that it witnessed the first large-scale use of 'new' or Kitchener's Army...
in World War I - John Crawford BuchanJohn Crawford BuchanJohn Crawford Buchan was a Scottish 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....
, won the Victoria Cross during the Ludendorff offensive in March 1918 - Charles Forte, Baron ForteCharles Forte, Baron ForteCharles Forte, Baron Forte was a British caterer and hotelier. His obituary in The Guardian obituary stated that: He created a worldwide empire of restaurants and hotels from virtually nothing-Early life:...
, founder of Trust House Forte hotel group - Alan CousinAlan CousinAlan Cousin is a Scottish former footballer, who played for Dundee, Hibernian and Falkirk. Cousin played in attack for Dundee alongside Alan Gilzean in a team considered by Bob Crampsey to be the best produced in Scotland since the Second World War...
, footballer (DundeeDundeeDundee is the fourth-largest city in Scotland and the 39th most populous settlement in the United Kingdom. It lies within the eastern central Lowlands on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, which feeds into the North Sea...
) - Dougie BrownDougie BrownDouglas Robert Brown is a former Scottish cricketer, currently employed as a coach for Warwickshire C.C.C.. He is an all-rounder who has represented both England and Scotland at One Day International level...
, England and Scotland cricketer
Dux Award
In recent years, the DuxDux
Dux is Latin for leader and later for Duke and its variant forms ....
medal was re-awarded after many years of absence at the Annual Prizegiving Awards Ceremony.
Alloa Academy School Prom
Each year, Alloa Academy has its annual promProm
In the United States and Canada, a prom, short for promenade, is a formal dance, or gathering of high school students. It is typically held near the end of the senior year. It figures greatly in popular culture and is a major event among high school students...
, held in Dunmar House Hotel. The prom committee (S6 Students)set about organising the prom. The prom is very special in this day in age as almost all of the leaving year attend the prom. As well as that, a large number of staff attend the event as well. The previous years Head Boy and Head Girl are invited back as guests of honour.
Alloa Academy Yearbook
Each year, S6 students, along with the help of school staff, produce a yearbookYearbook
A yearbook, also known as an annual, is a book to record, highlight, and commemorate the past year of a school or a book published annually. Virtually all American, Australian and Canadian high schools, most colleges and many elementary and middle schools publish yearbooks...
. Long may this continue as staff (outside the management team) and pupils alike find this a great keepsake.