Ardrossan Academy

Ardrossan Academy is a Scottish secondary school, opened in October 1882, serving Ardrossan, with pupils also coming from nearby Saltcoats, West Kilbride, Seamill, Fairlie, Largs and other areas.

Ardrossan Academy
Address
Sorbie Road

Ardrossan
,
KA22 8AR

Scotland
Coordinates55.6447°N 4.7997°W / 55.6447; -4.7997
Information
TypeSecondary School
MottoAd Astra
(To the stars[1])
EstablishedOctober 1882 (1882-10)
Local authorityNorth Ayrshire
HeadteacherAnne Anderson[2]
Years taughtS1 to S6
GenderMixed
Age11 to 18
Enrolment1,050
HousesNevis, Lomond, Annick, Barra
Websitewww.ardrossanacademy.co.uk

Annual events

The school holds their annual prize-giving ceremony in June of every year. This usually takes place in the assembly hall where typically the head teacher will give a speech, before prizes are awarded. The school band will often play at this event.

Various departments may hold trips to locations such as London or Blackpool. There is also a ski trip available.

The school holds an annual fête which takes place in the adjacent Jack's Park.

Like many schools, Ardrossan Academy holds an annual senior prom for S6 (final year) pupils.

History

Ardrossan Academy was founded in the 1882-83 academic year and was the first school in the area to provide secondary education. For the first 50 years of its history Ardrossan Academy was situated on South Crescent Road, this was advantageous as it was close to railway stations, which made it easy for pupils outside Ardrossan to attend the school.

In 1933, the school population had expanded to an extent that a new site was required. Ardrossan Academy moved to its current location on Sorbie Road with its official opening on 6 October 1933.

Many ex-pupils from Ardrossan Academy fought in the First World War in 1914 and the Second World War in 1939. The 54 ex-pupils who died in the First World War and the 66 who died in the Second World War have their names recorded on the war memorial in the schools assembly hall. During this time, the school grew vegetables in the school garden and raised £23,000 to aid in the war effort.

After the war during 1945 and 1969, Ardrossan Academy Primary School, which pupils had to pay money to attend, was situated on the site on Sorbie Road. The Secondary School itself was only open to pupils who passed the qualifying examination at the end of primary seven. The entire secondary school was situated in the old sandstone building and a number of huts.

Following a government decision in the 1960s to abolish selective education and send all pupils from the same area to the same school, the school population increased drastically. This led to the closure and demolition of the primary school and the construction of two new blocks of classrooms, a dining hall and a P.E. complex on site. These new buildings were opened in 1971.

Notable alumni

Notable staff
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References
  1. http://www.ardrossanacademy.co.uk/school-information/vision-values-and-aims/mission-statement website
  2. "SLT Staff List". www.ardrossanacademy.co.uk. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  3. "Head of NHS Change and Innovation Centre", Scottish Government, 11 April 2002.
  4. "Tory political virgin carries party hopes on his broad shoulders", The Herald, 9 June 2001.
  5. " William Hilton: Director of the Master Builders", The Guardian, 20 June 1999.
  6. "North Ayrshire Council: Schools by region A-Z", The Scotsman, 22 April 2008.
  7. https://www.royalsoced.org.uk/cms/files/fellows/biographical_index/fells_indexp1.pdf
  8. "Obituary: John Aitkenhead", The Independent, 21 August 1988.
  9. "Morag Aitkenhead", The Daily Telegraph, 18 October 2007.
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