Linlithgow Academy
Encyclopedia
Linlithgow Academy is the only secondary school
in Linlithgow
, West Lothian
. The Academy was founded in 1894 and replaced an earlier kirk
institution known as "Sang Schule". The present building was completed in 1968 and has been extended several times since.
, some six miles away. As the West Lothian/Falkirk council boundary lies just to the west of Linlithgow Bridge, a relatively small number of pupils attend from this direction. Similarly, high schools in Bathgate to the south, and Bo'ness to the north, limit the natural catchment in those directions.
However, as the school featured prominently in league tables compared to other state schools, especially those nearby, many people from the surrounding area wish their children to attend Linlithgow Academy in preference to their local high school. This, and the increasing population of Linlithgow as a whole in the past 30 years, have led to severe demands on the school's roll. However, over recent years the school roll has been fairly steady with 1230 reported in 2003http://wlhas.westlothian.gov.uk:8080/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=1278I87XG4451.4242&profile=main&uri=full=3100001~!139859~!297&ri=1&aspect=subtab14&menu=search&source=~!comres and steady at 1192 between 2008-2010.
A review of the Linlithgow Academy catchment area by West Lothian Council was completed in October 2010 . Torphichen and Westfield Primary Schools are to be re-zoned into Linlithgow from the 2011 academic year . This change was required due to a massive new build housing program in Bathgate involving many large developers approved by West Lothian Council over a number of years.
The current roll is mostly from the following local primary schools:
The catchment change proposal includes approved additional building works to Linlithgow Academy. However the existing restrictions on pupil one-way traffic around the school will continue after the works are completed and library space is being cut in order to accommodate additional class rooms. After the capital works are completed Linlithgow Academy will still have the lowest internal space per pupil amongst West Lothian secondary schools. (citation required)
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 Linlithgow
Linlithgow
Linlithgow is a Royal Burgh in West Lothian, Scotland. An ancient town, it lies south of its two most prominent landmarks: Linlithgow Palace and Linlithgow Loch, and north of the Union Canal....
, West Lothian
West Lothian
West Lothian is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland, and a Lieutenancy area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Falkirk, North Lanarkshire, the Scottish Borders and South Lanarkshire....
. The Academy was founded in 1894 and replaced an earlier kirk
Kirk
Kirk can mean "church" in general or the Church of Scotland in particular. Many place names and personal names are also derived from it.-Basic meaning and etymology:...
institution known as "Sang Schule". The present building was completed in 1968 and has been extended several times since.
Catchment and admissions
Admissions to Linlithgow Academy are generally from Linlithgow and a number of the smaller villages surrounding the town to the east as far as WinchburghWinchburgh
Winchburgh is a village situated within the geographical county of West Lothian, Scotland. It is located approximately west of the city-centre of Edinburgh, east of Linlithgow and northeast of Broxburn.-Public transport:...
, some six miles away. As the West Lothian/Falkirk council boundary lies just to the west of Linlithgow Bridge, a relatively small number of pupils attend from this direction. Similarly, high schools in Bathgate to the south, and Bo'ness to the north, limit the natural catchment in those directions.
However, as the school featured prominently in league tables compared to other state schools, especially those nearby, many people from the surrounding area wish their children to attend Linlithgow Academy in preference to their local high school. This, and the increasing population of Linlithgow as a whole in the past 30 years, have led to severe demands on the school's roll. However, over recent years the school roll has been fairly steady with 1230 reported in 2003http://wlhas.westlothian.gov.uk:8080/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=1278I87XG4451.4242&profile=main&uri=full=3100001~!139859~!297&ri=1&aspect=subtab14&menu=search&source=~!comres and steady at 1192 between 2008-2010.
A review of the Linlithgow Academy catchment area by West Lothian Council was completed in October 2010 . Torphichen and Westfield Primary Schools are to be re-zoned into Linlithgow from the 2011 academic year . This change was required due to a massive new build housing program in Bathgate involving many large developers approved by West Lothian Council over a number of years.
The current roll is mostly from the following local primary schools:
- Linlithgow Primary School
- Linlithgow Bridge Primary School
- Low Port Primary School
- Springfield Primary School
- Bridgend Primary School
- Winchburgh Primary School
- Torphichen Primary School (from 2011)
- Westfield Primary School (from 2011)
The catchment change proposal includes approved additional building works to Linlithgow Academy. However the existing restrictions on pupil one-way traffic around the school will continue after the works are completed and library space is being cut in order to accommodate additional class rooms. After the capital works are completed Linlithgow Academy will still have the lowest internal space per pupil amongst West Lothian secondary schools. (citation required)
Notable former pupils
- Margaret KiddMargaret KiddDame Margaret Henderson Kidd QC, married name Macdonald was a pioneering woman lawyer, based in Edinburgh, Scotland....
- pioneering woman lawyer - Kenny MacAskillKenny MacAskillKenneth "Kenny" Wright MacAskill is the Scottish Government's Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Scottish National Party Member of the Scottish Parliament for Edinburgh Eastern, formerly Edinburgh East and Musselburgh since 2007...
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politician and Scottish Justice Secretary - Gordon SharpGordon SharpGordon Sharp is a Scottish singer, musician and producer who has led several music projects over the last 33 years.-Biography:...
- Musician with The Freeze and CindytalkCindytalkCindytalk is an experimental music group fronted by Gordon Sharp, a Scottish performer who has been the only constant member since its inception in 1982.-History:... - Alex SalmondAlex SalmondAlexander Elliot Anderson "Alex" Salmond MSP is a Scottish politician and current First Minister of Scotland. He became Scotland's fourth First Minister in May 2007. He is the Leader of the Scottish National Party , having served as Member of the Scottish Parliament for Gordon...
- Scottish National PartyScottish National PartyThe Scottish National Party is a social-democratic political party in Scotland which campaigns for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom....
politician and First Minister of Scotland.