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What it's like

Founded in 1124 and closely associated with the cathedral. It was closed in 1976 but the new, co-educational High School came into being the same year as a result of a merger involving the former pupil club of the old High School and Drewsteignton School in Bearsden. The senior school has modern purpose-built premises at Anniesland on the western outskirts of the city next to 23 acres of playing fields. The junior school is in the former Drewsteignton School buildings about 3 miles away which have been modernised and extended. The school is non-denominational. Its academic standards are high, results are very good and the relationship between teachers and pupils excellent. Almost all pupils go on to university, most to Scottish ones but a number to Oxbridge and other English universities. Music and drama are strong and achievements in debating and public-speaking exceptional. It has a good record in games and sports (many representatives at county level, several internationalists) and an excellent range of activities. An impressive list of awards in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. Full use is made of the city's cultural amenities.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 1052 day pupils (552 boys, 500 girls). Senior department 11-18, 681 pupils (360 boys, 321 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 4, 10 and 11. Own entrance exam used; for sixth form entry, credit level at S grade in 8 subjects (including those taking on to Higher). Academic potential is looked for and ability to contribute to life of school; no religious requirements but school has a Christian background. Many senior pupils from state schools; majority from own junior school (enquiries to the Head Teacher, High School of Glasgow Junior School, 27 Ledcameroch Road, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 4AE; Tel 0141 942 0158).

Scholarships & bursaries

5-10 pa bursaries based on financial need, value normally 10%-100% of fees. Parents not expected to buy textbooks in the senior school; maximum 20 extras.

Head & staff

Rector: Colin Mair, in post from 2004. Educated at Kelvinside Academy and universities of St Andrews and Glasgow (Latin, French) and Strathclyde University (education). Previously Head of Classics, Housemaster and Deputy Rector at the school. Teaching staff: 80 full time, 30 part time. Annual turnover up to 5%. Average age 41.

Exam results

S-grade: 100 pupils in S-grade year: 100% gained at least grade 3 in 5-8 subjects. Highers: 102 in Higher year: 77% passed in 5+ subjects; 14% in 4; 7% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by S5 was 320.

University & college entrance

98% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (9% after a gap year), 5% to Oxbridge. 17% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 26% in science and engineering, 11% in law, 23% in humanities and social sciences, 5% in art, design and music, 18% in vocational subjects such as business studies, accounting, architecture. A few typically go on to further education.

Curriculum

S-grade, Highers and Advanced higher: 22 subjects offered. Vocational: Work experience available; also SQA modules in PE, keyboarding, accounting, photography, media studies, cooking, ceramics. Languages: French (compulsory from age 7) and German offered to S-grade, Higher and Advanced higher; also Spanish S-grade. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 150 computers for pupil use (8 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.

The arts

Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 12 musical groups including chamber orchestra, other orchestras, wind band, jazz band, pipe band, fiddle group, brass ensemble, choirs. UK National Chamber Music Competition winners (in at least 2 age bands in recent years). Drama: Drama offered. Many pupils are involved in school, year-group and other productions. Recent productions of The Crucible, Smike, Beowulf, Godspell. Debating: Very successful; recently won in all major competitions - Oxford Union, Scottish ESU, Cambridge Union. Art and design: On average, 30 take S-grade, 20 Higher. Design, pottery, textiles, photography, printing also offered. Prizes in Independent Schools Art Exhibition and Royal Bank of Scotland Art Award.

Sports & activities

Sport: Rugby, hockey, athletics, cricket, swimming, tennis, cross-country, basketball, netball, volleyball, badminton, golf, sailing, orienteering, skiing, table tennis, hill walking. BAGA, RLSS exams may be taken. Number of international players in badminton, skiing, athletics, hockey, cricket, tennis, sailing, swimming and rugby; pupils in district hockey, rugby and cricket teams; finalists in Scottish hockey outdoor and semi-finalists indoor, last 16 in Scottish Rugby Cup, and Scottish and Glasgow cross-country champions; Scottish badminton champions; numerous athletics and swimming medals at Scottish and Glasgow championships; Scottish tennis school of year in recent years. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional and encouraged for all ages; pupils raise around 12,000 each year for various charities; each house supports a charity through school year. Up to 50 clubs, including literary and debating, historical, electronics, computing, Scripture Union, chess, art, chemistry, French, film, bridge, drama, Young Enterprise, numerous sporting and music clubs/groups.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy and girl (school captains), head of house - voting by senior pupils and staff used by Head in making appointments. Religion: Christian, non-denominational school. Morning assembly. Social: Debating and public-speaking competitions. Scripture Union meetings, dances, games evenings etc. Usually 2-3 organised trips abroad per annum. Pupils allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school. Meals self-service. No school shop but some items of uniform are sold.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect additional work. Those caught in possession of cannabis will be expelled (hypothetical).

Association of former pupils

is run by Secretary, Murdoch C Beaton, Low Beaton Richmond, 20 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 5AP.

Former pupils

Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, Andrew Bonar Law (prime ministers); Viscount James Bryce (diplomat); Sir Teddy Taylor MP; Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden; Lady Cosgrove (judge); Lesley Riddoch (broadcaster); Muriel Gray (journalist, broadcaster); Professor Anton Muscatelli (Principal, Herot-Watt University ).