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 Glasgow 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 Rector 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 Scotland, 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 the times; 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.