Bellahouston Academy

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Bellahouston Academy
Location
Bellahouston Academy
Bellahouston, Glasgow, Scotland
Information
MottoAlere Flammam
(Keep the Flame Burning)
Founded1876
FounderAlexander Sim
Head teacherBarry Mochan
Number of pupils1117
Feeder schoolsGlendale Primary
Ibrox Primary
Lorne Street Primary
Mosspark Primary
Pollokshields Primary

Bellahouston Academy is a non-denominational state-run secondary school in Bellahouston, south-west Glasgow, Scotland.

Contents

History

Bellahouston Academy first opened in 1876 on Paisley Road West as a private school run by Alexander Sim, It was taken over by the Govan School Board in 1885, and has been a state school ever since. [1]

The Misses Steven from Bellahouston kindly donated the land for a new academy and even helped pay for a clocktower. The building was designed by architect Robert Balde, who worked on Bath Street. [2] When the academy first opened, it called itself a 'Boy's High Class School and Ladies' College'. For the first nine years, it faced many challenges as a private school, especially with new schools opening nearby that received government funding. In an effort to save money, the academy even removed the position of rector, who usually plays a leading role. In 1885, the academy transitioned to a different status; it was sold to the Govan Parish School Board for £15,000. They made improvements, including adding a swimming pool, which was among the first in Scotland.

In 1901, the institute was opened to train pupil-teachers, but when this system was replaced in 1907 by a junior system, the Institute became part of the academy, which by now had become a Secondary School and Junior Student Centre. In 1905, the main building was renovated and a new gymnasium and baths were built.

In 1919, the academy passed into the care of the new Glasgow Education Authority, which itself was replaced in 1929 by the Education Committee of the Corporation of Glasgow. In the 1930s, the academy lost its title and was renamed Bellahouston Secondary School, but its name never changed locally, and like other schools, it was permitted to revert to its old title.

New school

In 1962, the modern building in Gower Terrace was opened and took in pupils and staff from Pollokshields Secondary, (a former rival, Albert Road Academy). In 1973, due to increasing numbers, the old building on Paisley Road West was re-opened. This building is now an Ethnic Minority Business Centre.

Pupils going to the school were disrupted by the building of the M8/M77 interchange which was completed in 1977. There was a major fire in 1991 in which part of the building was structurally damaged and had to be demolished. In 1996, the school returned to the refurbished main building, which is designed to hold 1,100 pupils.

Glasgow School of Sport

Scotland's first school dedicated to sport has been developed at Bellahouston Academy, the Glasgow School of Sport aims to develop the talents of young sportsmen and women. The Sports Hall was completed in October 2002, and was opened by The Princess Royal in 2003. The School of Sport specialises in five sports - athletics; gymnastics; hockey; badminton and swimming. In 2005, the school's under-16 football team won both the Glasgow League and Scottish Cup Final at Firhill in the same season.

Roll

Attendance for 2010-2011 was 864. [3] Attendance in Oct 2023 is 1117. [4]

Notable former pupils

References

  1. ↑ "Bellahouston Academy". The Glasgow Story. Retrieved 27 March 2008.
  2. ↑ "Basic Site Details: Bellahouston Academy". Dictionary of Scottish Architects. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  3. ↑ "Bellahouston Academy - Glasgow City - Scottish Schools Online 2011/12". Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  4. ↑ "Bellahouston Academy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  5. ↑ https://www.swimming.org/assets/uploads/library/GB_progressive_records_LC_SNR.pdf
  6. ↑ "Obituaries: Charles Hutton". The Guardian. 16 October 1995.
  7. ↑ "Glasgow pupils meet sculptor Andy Scott".
  8. ↑ "Lord Taylor of Gryfe". The Telegraph. 19 July 2001. Retrieved 6 September 2023.

55°50′54″N4°18′02″W / 55.84829°N 4.30059°W / 55.84829; -4.30059

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