Hermitage Academy, Helensburgh Explained

Hermitage Academy is a non-denominational secondary school in Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is one of two secondary schools in the Helensburgh area (the other being Lomond School) and is currently the largest secondary school in Argyll and Bute.

Hermitage Academy
Motto:Nulla Virtus Sine Labore
Established:1880
Type:Secondary school
Head Label:Head Teacher
Head:Douglas Morgan
Address:Cardross Road
City:Helensburgh
County:Argyll & Bute
Country:Scotland
Postcode:G84 7LA
Enrolment:1,260[1]
Gender:Coeducational
Website:http://www.hermitageacademy.argyll-bute.sch.uk

The school catchment area extends from the Firth of Clyde to Loch Lomond and the Rest and be thankful, including in addition to the town of Helensburgh the villages of Cardross, Rhu, Shandon, Garelochhead, Clynder, Rosneath, Kilcreggan, Arrochar, Tarbet and Luss and other rural areas. Since this catchment area straddles the Highland Boundary Fault Line, the school is uniquely both a Lowland and a Highland school.[2]

History

The school was originally located in East Argyle Street next to the current primary school. The first Gothic building, with four classrooms and a music room and an intended capacity of 500, opened in 1880.[3] [4] In 1966, after complaints of overcrowding,[5] the secondary school was replaced by a new building[6] at Campbell Drive, Helensburgh, but when this proved too small, a second building of equal capacity was built beside it.[7] In February 2008 the school was again relocated to a new campus on the outskirts of the town.[2] The school badge features the main entrance of the original Hermitage School.

Robert Williamson retired at the end of the school term in 2020. Prior to joining Hermitage in 2017, Mr Williamson was Head Teacher at Drumchapel High School. Mr Williamson replaced Geoff Urie, who retired in June 2017. The role was filled until October 2017 by David Mitchell, the substantive Head Teacher of Dunoon Grammar School.[8]

Douglas Morgan took up the post of Acting Head Teacher in January 2021.[9] He was appointed permanent Head Teacher in November 2022.

The school's motto is Nulla Virtus Sine Labore, which translates to Nothing Achieved Without Hard Work.[10]

, the school had 1284 pupils and almost 100 teaching staff.[2]

Notable alumni

External links

55.9945°N -4.6979°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Archived copy . 11 April 2018 . 20 June 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190620005434/https://www2.gov.scot/Resource/0053/00532232.xlsx . dead .
  2. Web site: About us: Facilities . Hermitage Academy . 1 June 2014 .
  3. News: Opening of Hermitage School, Helensburgh . . 3 August 1880 . 3 .
  4. News: Young . Leslie B. . School's 100 years . The Glasgow Herald . 5 October 1979 . Letters . 6.
  5. News: Assurance on Helensburgh New School . The Glasgow Herald . 15 December 1958 . 8 .
  6. News: Hermitage opened at Helensburgh . The Glasgow Herald . 26 November 1966 . 15 .
  7. Web site: Newsletter: Academy Sites . Helensburgh Heritage Trust . July 2007 .
  8. Web site: Galloway . Andy . Hermitage Academy head teacher Robert Williamson to retire . Helensburgh Advertiser . 20 December 2020 . 25 August 2020.
  9. Web site: Hermitage Academy head teacher retires after three years at helm in Helensburgh.
  10. Web site: Hermitage Academy - School Aims. Hermitage Academy. 14 November 2012.
  11. Web site: Scottish Minister grew up in burgh. Helensburgh Heritage. 2 May 2018.
  12. News: BBC Sport - Hazel Irvine. BBC. 31 December 2014.
  13. Web site: Sport – Stephen Park OBE. Heroes Centre. 20 September 2018.
  14. Web site: Heroes Centre - Derek Parlane. Heroes Centre. 31 December 2014. 31 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141231071104/http://www.heroescentre.co.uk/hall-of-fame/sport/sport-derek-parlane/. dead.
  15. Web site: URTV, Helensburgh & Lomond TV. URTV. 31 December 2014.
  16. Web site: Helensburgh Heroes - Richard Tait. Helensburgh Heroes. 12 November 2012.
  17. Web site: University of Glasgow - MyGlasgow - Special collections - Collections A-Z - Peter Donald Thomson Papers . Gla.ac.uk . 2018-04-11.