FOUNDED 1124

A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE FINDS THEIR VOICE

RECTOR’S A friendly purposefulness WELCOME “Let us learn from the past to profit by the present, and from the present, to live better in the future." William Wordsworth

We are an independent, co-educational day school of just over a thousand pupils aged between 3 and 18. Our roots go back almost 900 years to Cathedral’s Choir School. We have been through many permuta- tions since then. I invite you to read a little more of our story overleaf.

We offer an all round education with high levels of both academic and pastoral support. We are a very high achieving school but by encouraging sibling attendance we create a family atmosphere with mixed abilities. OUR VISION IS TO We believe strongly in continuity and laying down firm foundations. DISCOVER AND IGNITE The opportunity of a nursery to young adult education offers a secure and THE POTENTIAL WITHIN EVERY YOUNG PERSON nurturing passage of personal discovery and growing societal awareness. THAT THEY MAY LIVE BETTER We also welcome pupils at any stage along this journey. Although we draw IN THE FUTURE upon our Christian heritage we accept children of all faiths or none. AND MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE I hope older daughters and sons will read this prospectus as well as parents. TO THEIR OWN LIFE AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS At the High School of Glasgow we encourage participation, and if that starts before you even get the blazer and tie all the better! The best thing though is to come along together and see for yourself.

John O’Neill

1 The Rector, John O’Neill, was educated at St Ambrose High School. He graduated in Arts and Honours in Medieval and Modern History from Glasgow University, and gained a Post Graduate Certificate of Education with Distinction at St Andrew’s College. He joined the High School as Senior Deputy Rector in 2004 from Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh where he was Housemaster and Head of Sixth Form. Through his extensive responsibilities as Senior Deputy Rector, he gained a very close knowledge of the High School, its ethos and traditions and he also taught History and Modern Studies. After 11 years in this post he was appointed Rector in 2015. OUR FOUNDATIONS “Passing the tradition gloriously on.” Angelic voices. Phoenix rising.

Voices. Singing praises and exultation. That's where we started, as the Sang On 1st July 1976, the day after the closure of the Boys’ High School, School for Glasgow Cathedral in 1124. Solo voices and voices in the choir. the new independent, co-educational High School of Glasgow came into That lovely Scots word ‘sang’ rooting us in place and culture. It's what we're being following a merger between the Glasgow High School Club and still doing, over 800 years on: helping individuals find their voice and our Drewsteignton School. Having failed to persuade the government to assist community sing in unison. we did it ourselves.

We were established with a higher purpose and have, over the centuries, Today we’re a thriving school where our original higher purpose is still very through our pursuit of excellence and an all-round education produced much alive and our debt to the actions of our former pupils is gratefully individuals who have made many positive contributions to life here in remembered. We continue to draw inspiration from our founding stories. Glasgow and across the globe. That is probably the reason why, some forty Our mission is to continue ‘passing the tradition gloriously on’ by making our years ago when selective grammar schools were disbanded in , our school as accessible as possible to the diverse talent and potential of former pupils raised £635,000 (equivalent to £4m in today’s money) to Glasgow and beyond. To do so we very much rely on a chorus of approval “pass the tradition gloriously on”. from our esteemed former pupils, parents and friends; our extended family.

3 OUR VALUES AND ETHOS Embracing the new, anchored in tradition

“We may all have iPads and a whopping great fellow pupils and the supportive enthusiasm and Prowise board in the Art and Design Room but we academic excellence of our teachers. The School also know where and where not to put a semi-colon.” benefits from a strong work ethic, and whilst results matter of course, they’re by no means the Whilst we embrace 21st Century education our be all and end all. It’s the person you are that will underpinning ethos is built upon solid 19th and carry you through life. 20th Century foundations. We move with ; sometimes we’re even ahead of the curve; We have a thriving extra-curricular programme, but we’re rooted in what we believe to be of with 85% plus of pupils participating in two or lasting value: respectful human relationships and more activities outside the classroom. Assembly is self-esteem. Add to this the teaching of subjects an important start to every day when the whole ranging from Latin to Computing and activities school congregates. Being together as a from Orchestra to Cypher Club and you might community provides an opportunity to reflect and start to get a picture of a progressive, inclusive, take stock. It’s also an opportunity to celebrate egalitarian community with a sense of continuity and share good news and achievements. At the and an appreciation of core, time-honoured skills. Senior School after the Rector has shared a We’re not ones to throw the baby out with the thought for the day, the House Captains take the bathwater. podium and get everyone ready for the day ahead – often responded to with some good-hearted We are a nationally recognised, high achieving repartee from the floor! We are in Glasgow after school, where the pursuit of excellence in all areas all. Getting all the relationships as right as possible of school life is encouraged. High aspirations are is key to health and harmony. promoted by positive peer expectations from LOOKING OUT FOR EACH OTHER Small enough not to get lost

“There’s 680 or so of us in this room. That’s where older pupils encourage the younger 680 stories. 680 opportunities to make this ones coming up with advice like “Although a better world.” Fifth year is going to be a hard one, when you’re not working make sure you enjoy The words above were from a House yourself and get involved!” Captain at Assembly. Inherent in these inspiring words is the recognition that each Our pastoral members of staff are highly of us is an individual and that each of us has experienced in supporting pupils and in a part to play on a bigger stage. At school finding ways to enable them to get the best we’re preparing young people for life out of the opportunities around them. beyond, where the stage can be very big Engendering resilience is a crucial part of indeed. We deliberately keep our our mission. Increasingly young people are community to a size that’s small enough not prepared to talk about their emotional and to get lost but big enough to be able to mental wellbeing and we’re delighted to offer a wide range of subjects and activities. have a purpose-built Health and Wellbeing Centre in the heart of the Senior School, Participation is very much at the heart of helping to promote the trinity of mental, our ethos. We therefore endeavour to emotional and physical wellbeing. provide something for everybody as the We employ a full time nurse and have broad range of clubs and societies reveals introduced classes in mindfulness. on page 14. We cherish diversity in all its We look out for each other. guises. We’re also lucky to have an ethos

5 THE HOUSE SYSTEM ENHANCES EACH PUPIL’S SENSE OF IDENTITY AND BELONGING THE HOUSE SYSTEM Making school more like home

For most young people stepping up to school is charged with emotion. We The four Junior School ‘Houses’ are ‘Ships’ and are named after RNLI don’t underestimate that step and provide the environment and tools to lifeboats. The four Senior School Houses are named after illustrious former help your daughter or son constantly manage the challenges of life ahead. pupils. Ships are twinned with Houses so that there’s a continuity of ‘family’ Central to doing so is our House System. It’s the bridge between family and from primary through secondary and by the time your child reaches ‘dry society and a more closely-knit and defined space of belonging in the wider land’ they will be well on board with their fellow travellers. community. The House system provides experienced pastoral care along with individual At whatever stage your child joins us, they will be made welcome and will guidance and support. The system also creates a sense of belonging and be well looked after. At Junior School the Head Teacher and classroom identity and encourages a healthy and good-natured competitive spirit with teacher provide pastoral care. At Senior School, the pastoral side of life falls competitions ranging from singing to chess and debating. under the care of our House Staff. Transitus pupils (Primary 7), who participate fully in House activities, are cared for by their dedicated Transitus Form Teacher. Younger newcomers to the Senior School also benefit from being buddied by a Sixth Form Prefect. This arrangement also provides senior pupils with the opportunity to shoulder responsibility, play a supporting role and display leadership qualities.

“Igniting potential through opportunities to excel.”

7 OUR VALUES Above all we respect and value people, of whatever age or ability. We are committed to helping young people perform to the best of their ability and to experience the opportunity to excel in their chosen fields. We go to whatever lengths necessary to make everyone in our community feel welcome. This is what we mean when we say our values are People, Excellence, Welcoming and Community. “Get the relationships right and all else will follow.” OUR JUNIOR AND SENIOR SCHOOLS: A SHARED ETHOS From start to finish. From to .

Overall we’re a community of just over 1000 In addition to the values and ethos and attention given As well as approaches to learning, we’re constantly pupils, with around 350 in the Junior School to pastoral care covered in the previous sections, both looking at approaches to teaching. Mathematics is a and 690 in the Senior School. We keep Junior and Senior Schools share several key approaches good example. Old preconceptions are fast disappear- close to this size to ensure we maintain a to learning. ing. The average maths class is a noisy place to be these community in which everyone can know days – there’s a lot of teamwork and discussion: it’s no each other. Besides, the Senior School Homework. The word might seem a contradiction but longer a case of sums being done silently in silos. There Assembly Hall won’t fit many more than 690 that’s not how we see it. We value homework at both are things we wouldn’t dream of changing though, like and we’re not planning to extend it! Junior and Senior School to consolidate learning and some members of staff’s ‘signature tunes’. We believe practice. We encourage parents to support their there’s a certain Physics teacher who – sometimes – We offer an all-round education from the children in this endeavour but equally don’t wish for it jumps from standing onto the lab worktop. Classes age of 3 up until 18. However, subject to to be a stressful factor. We believe that proportionate who have been lucky enough to witness it love it! He’s space and the successful completion of an homework nurtures and complements the learning demonstrating a principle of course. entrance test, we accept and welcome pupils habit. at any stage of their learning journey. The We also believe it’s important to teach the value of main entry points are Kindergarten and Our approach to assessment is not exclusively tied to failure, the importance of trying and experimentation, Junior 1 at Junior School and Transitus and exams. It’s as much about monitoring disposition, taking a leaf here from the world of children’s sport First Year at Senior School. determination and resilience, all of which underpin a where this has been more widely recognised. pupil’s learning journey. However, as Michael Rosen said Pupils attend Junior School from Kindergar- in his We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, “We can’t go over it. Our belief, across both schools, is that ’all children can’ ten up until Junior (Primary) 6. Primary 7 is We can’t go under it. We’ve got to go through it!” and and that an essential part of our role is to help each our Transitus Year. Being the main point of thus exams are an unavoidable fact of life, so we get child develop the tools, habits and confidence to take entry to Senior School, Transitus provides pupils into the habit and experience of doing them early increasing responsibility for their own learning and pupils with a head start as they follow a on. From Transitus onwards pupils start to take formal growth. secondary school education. exams to build the experience and habits in readiness to handle SQA examinations from Fourth Year onwards. “We seek perfection and if we fail we’ll just have to accept excellence.” Sir Matt Busby 9 The Head Teacher, Heather Fuller, grew up in Bearsden and attended Bearsden Academy. She studied at The University of Strathclyde, initially gaining a Bachelor of Education in Primary Education with Honours and Distinction in Teaching, followed by a Post Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Management. She arrived at the High School in 2015 as Deputy Head Teacher. Prior to that she had been a teacher at Hamilton College and then seconded to Education Scotland, where she travelled throughout Scotland providing specialist support to teachers, schools and local authorities. She was appointed as Head Teacher in 2016. THE JUNIOR SCHOOL A happy, caring and safe environment

Our aim at the Junior School is to provide a happy, caring and safe Drama, French, ICT, Music and PE who are distinct from the primary environment in which each child is encouraged to develop according to classroom teachers in these subjects. their own ability and level of maturity. Children benefit from a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including The Junior School is situated in Bearsden. It consists of a one-year four choirs, a range of instrumental ensembles, a trip to York for Junior 5 Kindergarten, which children join between the ages of 3½ and 4½ and pupils and a residential adventure week for Junior 6 pupils. There is also an Junior (Primary) 1 to 6 classes. The Kindergarten, which is the usual entry ever evolving variety of extra-curricular clubs, such as Art, Cooking, Chess, point to the Junior School, takes up to 50 children in a spacious specially Football, Mandarin, Science, Skiing, Spanish, Taekwondo and Tennis. Our designed building where children are nurtured by specialist Early Years pupils regularly perform in concerts and shows. Older pupils are given the teachers and practitioners who deliver an enriched version of Curriculum opportunity to compete in district and national sporting competitions and for Excellence. We focus on developing a wide range of skills, fostering to play in matches against other schools. curiosity, developing friendships and ensuring children are creatively immersed in their learning. The learning is practical and tailored to each The School opens at 8am and the School day commences 8.50am and runs child’s interests and needs, building a firm foundation for their progression until 3.05pm or 3.15pm. We provide Out of School care until 6pm Monday to Junior 1. to Friday. In addition both parents and children can take advantage of our various holiday clubs. Our Junior School curriculum, including Kindergarten, has eight key areas: Mathematics; Languages (English and French); Sciences; Social Studies; Expressive Arts (art, drama and music); Health and Wellbeing (including physical education); Technologies (including computer studies); and Religious and Moral Education. Alongside class teachers we have specialists in Art,

“A curious, creative child is a happy child.”

11 THE SENIOR SCHOOL Challenging - Stimulating - Supportive

Our Senior School curriculum is designed to challenge and stimulate pupils, Designers. Sixth Year pupils make a valuable contribution to the life of the offering a broad balanced education without excessive specialisation. It School by running clubs for younger pupils, taking responsibility within the provides an academic framework that allows the development of individual House System and, as prefects, sharing in the day-to-day running of the strengths. School. They have their own Common Room and Study Room.

In Transitus, First and Second Year pupils follow a common course, which While most of our pupils go on to Scottish universities, significant numbers includes a wide range of subjects. For each year group, time is allocated to regularly gain places at Oxford and Cambridge and other UK universities. personal, social and physical education and religion and philosophy. Each Senior School pupil has a minimum of three periods per week devoted Courses leading to SQA National 5 examinations are taken over Third and to Physical Education, including a games afternoon. The main games in the Fourth Year and pupils are presented for 8 subjects, including English and autumn and spring terms are hockey for girls and rugby for boys whilst, in Mathematics. Subject choices must include at least one language, a science summer, cricket, athletics and tennis feature. Pupils can participate in many and a social science. other sports including swimming, boys’ hockey, cross-country, badminton, basketball, volleyball, netball, golf, orienteering, sailing and skiing. Swimming Scottish Higher examinations are taken in Fifth Year, with pupils choosing tuition is provided for all pupils in Transitus and First Year. four subjects, in addition to English, from the many on offer. Developing pupils’ ability to think and question is a high priority and everyone studies We achieve considerable success in a wide range of sports at national and Religious and Moral Philosophy up until Fifth Year. district levels and teams compete regularly against other schools. Pupils are expected to be available if required for practice or fixtures both after school In Sixth Year we offer Scottish Advanced Highers. Here the emphasis is on and on Saturday mornings increased independent study forming a bridge between school and universi- ty. Where we can, we support this with dedicated facilities. There are three separate laboratories exclusively for the use of Sixth Year Scientists and the “High School pupils’ performance in national Art Room has a mezzanine floor solely for the use of Sixth Year Artists and examinations have been consistently amongst the very best in Scotland for many years.” OUR MISSION Our mission is simple. It’s one we strive to achieve every day. It’s this: to be a place of learning, constantly in pursuit of excellence and all-round personal develop- ment. To secure this through a passion for high quality teaching and learning. To support this by offering rich and wide-ranging opportuni- ties, first class resources and a nurturing ethos. All of which is founded upon traditional values and our Christian heritage.

13 “In doing the things we enjoy, life blossoms.” SPORT AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES From Taekwondo to code breaking

Keeping everyone happy and involved and experiencing different staging Rugby and hockey as core school sports are perennially popular. posts of fulfilment comes down in great part to relationships and maintaining Girls’ football is particularly successful, as is indoor rowing. We also offer these outside of the classroom. We keep our young people busy. athletics, cricket and tennis, with our tennis teams regularly competing in Participation is the key. Joining in. Having a go. We give our pupils the tools, national finals. Swimming is included in the PE programme. the environment and the encouragement. We firmly believe that activity outside the classroom is fundamental to success in the classroom. At Senior School lunchtime is 1 hour 10 minutes, the first half of which is to refuel and the second half to catch up with a club or society activity. We offer an impressive range of sports, games, clubs and societies across A lot of activities follow on the end of classes at 3.45, for instance orchestra Junior and Senior School. These include taekwondo, judo, chess, bridge, or choir practice, play rehearsals and the highly popular Duke of Edinburgh science, tennis, hockey, rackets, model making, eco group, Pupil Council and Award scheme. There’s also lunch and after school study support in Junior Orchestra. There’s even a Mandarin club. Over 50% of our pupils are academic subjects. involved in music, either voice or instrument or both. Some youngsters might gravitate towards the Gaming Club, or the Cypher Club where budding Some sports activity is timetabled into the last two periods of the day code-breakers meet up to test their mental prowess. The Latin Theatre Club up until 4.15 as well as outside of the timetable, for instance hockey has thrived for 10 years. NON SCHOLAE SED VITAE DISCIMUS. goalkeeper practice.

The Junior School runs a Holiday Club during Easter and Summer holidays and organises lots of trips into Glasgow – making the most of the unique city on our doorstep. There’s never a dull moment.

“HMI Inspectors identified an impressive choice of extra-curricular activities through which pupils achieve in a broad range of areas.” 15 “We all live in a yellow submarine.” MUSIC It’s not all Mozart The Beatles

Music plays a vital part in the School’s life. It’s part of our DNA. It’s pursued both within the curriculum and as an extra-curricular activity. It is a timetabled activity for all pupils from Kindergarten up to Second Year of Senior School. From Third Year it becomes an option for SQA examinations.

Musical activities in Junior School include singing, recorder, music and movement, group music-making, appreciation, electronic keyboard and composing. In Senior School, electronic hardware such as computers, midi-keyboards, synthesisers, mixing desks and multi-track recorders feature prominently, which pupils use not only to perform but to compose, improvise and arrange. The Senior School benefits from a suite of practice rooms and spaces for concerts and recitals including the Assembly Hall and the Memorial Pavilion.

Large numbers of pupils take part enthusiastically in the musical life of the School and choral and orchestral standards are exceptionally high with a number of pupils involved in both the National Youth Orchestra and Choirs of Scotland. Our Chamber Choir won the BBC Songs of Praise School Choir of the Year in 2013.

There are regular opportunities to perform throughout the year at concerts, services and prizegivings. Visiting specialist teachers provide tuition in strings, woodwind, brass, percussion, piano and singing.

It’s not all Mozart and Handel though. There are bands and groups of all kinds, including a successful Pipe Band. Every second year a Musical or piece of Musical Theatre is performed in the School too, whilst every other there is a Drama production. “A High School alumnus makes a great flatmate. FACILITIES State of the art They all know how to cook.”

The Junior School is situated in Bearsden around a refurbished Victorian building to which attractive extensions have been added. The facilities include a gym, a library, a multi-purpose hall, music rooms, the latest computing equipment and a special suite for the Kindergarten.

The Senior School is housed in purpose-built buildings at Anniesland beside its own playing fields, which include water based and artificial grass pitches for hockey and tennis. We enjoy extensive facilities. Our state-of-the-art science suites include twelve laboratories, including three dedicated to Sixth Year project work. Our ICT facilities incorporate four computing rooms. The Art department bathes in an abundance of light and has a mezzanine gallery for Sixth Year pupils and opens on to an enclosed courtyard. We also have various exhibition spaces around the School. For music we have two large well resourced rooms and a corridor of practice rooms. Our drama studio is well equipped and has witnessed many a rapturously received performance, as has our intimate lecture theatre. The split-level Assembly Hall not only accommodates the whole school for morning assembly but also serves as a concert hall and additional theatre space. We have a well-stocked library, with areas for study, and it is well frequented. For Sixth Formers we provide a dedicated study room and a common room where they can enjoy some privacy. Within the main block we have our Health and Wellbeing Centre. Pupils also benefit from an excel- lent sports complex with a multi-gym fitness centre and a grandstand containing our dining hall. Talking of dining, we also have an inner courtyard for sandwich lunches and event receptions. Last but in no way least we have a large kitchen for our popular Health and Food Technology department. Here everyone learns to surpass baked beans on toast for supper.

17 PARENT ASSOCIATION BURSARIES

The purpose of the Parent Association is to support the School in the An integral feature of our ethos is that The High School of Glasgow has a interests of the pupils through providing a forum to discuss areas of school Bursary Fund to enable pupils to attend the School who would not otherwise policy and promote cooperation between parents, staff and the school’s be able to do so. Existing pupils are also eligible for bursaries when a degree leadership. Essentially it exists for the improvement of the School and is of financial need arises. Bursaries are, however, only available at the Senior open to all parents. School. Bursaries are awarded through means testing of financial need and may vary from year to year (see Admissions Policy – bursaries section). It actively fundraises for various charities and also serves as a social focus for parents, reaching out in particular to welcome new parents into the fold.

ENTRANCE ARRANGEMENTS CAREERS ADVICE

Pupils are normally admitted to the School after an interview and Entrance Pupils are advised individually about subject choices, courses and careers Test, through which the School can assess each individual’s potential to whenever appropriate. From Fourth Year onwards, pupils have access to benefit from our educational provision. Where the School is over- advice from the Independent Schools' Careers Organisation, whose subscribed for any age group, selection of pupils will be based on merit representatives visit the School and attend Parents' Evenings. Fourth and Fifth on the grounds of ability and aptitude (see Admissions Policy). Year pupils have timetabled careers periods and, during the Summer Term, Fifth Year pupils are given the opportunity to gain work experience in a variety of The main entry points are Kindergarten and Junior1 at the Junior School and industries and professions. Transitus and First Year at the Senior School. However, places are offered at all stages when vacancies occur.

Entrance tests and interviews take place in January each year. Sports Complex Stand Hockey 3G Pitch and Refectory Pitches Art Department

Health & Wellbeing

Library ENTRANCE

Computing Suite

Science Laboratories

Drama Studio

ANNIESLAND ROAD Assembly Hall CROW ROAD Music Department Pavilion

GREAT WESTERN ROAD FOUNDED 1124 SENIOR SCHOOL All Facilities in one Location

19 Junior 6 Building Gymnasium Hall Music Suite

Playground

LEDCAMER

OCH ROAD Main Classrooms Block

LEDCAMEROCH Junior1/2 Building ROAD BEARSDEN STATION SCHOOL BUILDINGS JUNIOR SCHOOL STATIONS OR SUBURBAN CANNIESBURN TOLL ELECTRIC LINE MAIN ROADS

M ENTRANCE TO A SENIOR SCHOOL B R R Y E O H A IL A L R R 0 1 KILOMETRE D S O D A E D N 1 MILE

N A82 ANNIESLAND X OAD ANNIESLAND STATION ND R Art Rooms Playground Kindergarten ESLA NI W AN A81 O AD

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CR SENIOR R SCHOOL STATION D A M8 O R

S R A814 E Y VISITING THE SCHOOL B ALL ST SAUCHIEH REET

CLYDE CENTRAL TUNNEL No prospectus can hope to convey completely the atmosphere and life STATION STATION

RIVER

KINGSTON of the School. We hold an Annual Open Day at the Junior School and BRIDGE

Open Evening at the Senior School, to which parents and children are

warmly invited. In addition, you are most welcome to contact the Rector There are two train stations within five

FOUNDED 1124 or the Head Teacher of the Junior School to arrange an individual visit. minutes walk from the Senior School and

JUNIOR SCHOOL We look forward very much to meeting you and to discussing how we parents organise and run bus pick ups and

All Facilities in one Location can help build a good foundation for your child’s future. drop offs for both Junior and Senior Schools. FOUNDED 1124

The High School of Glasgow The High School of Glasgow Junior School 637 Crow Road, 27 Ledcameroch Road, Bearsden, Glasgow G13 1PL Glasgow G61 4AE Tel: 0141 954 9628 T: 0141 942 0158 Fax: 0141 435 5708 Fax: 0141 570 0020 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] www.highschoolofglasgow.co.uk

The High School of Glasgow Ltd. A company registered in Scotland No. SC045582 and limited by guarantee. Registered Charity No. SC014768