Millburn Academy
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| Motto | Strive to Achieve |
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| Established | 1961 |
| Type | State |
| Rector | GC Spence MA |
| Staff | c80 |
| Students | c1040 |
| Location | Inverness, United Kingdom |
Millburn Academy is a secondary school situated in the centre of Inverness in the heart of the Highlands of Scotland. It offers a state funded education on a wide variety of subjects and has an excellent academic record to date. The school is non- denominational, co-educated and comprehensive. The school is highly regarded throughout Scotland as being one of the top academic schools as well as having a very high sporting record. The main delineate area of the school is to the east of the River Ness and the southern rural areas.
The Headmaster of the School is GC Spence MA. The school motto is 'Strive to Achieve'. The main primary feeder schools to Millburn are: Central, Crown, Raigmore, Drakies, Daviot, Moy Raigbeg, St Joseph's and Bishop Eden. The school roll at present is c1040 pupils. The staff roll is c80, giving a teacher to student ratio of 1:13.
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[edit] History
The school first opened in 1961 as Millburn Junior Secondary School. In 1967 the school changed its name to Millburn Secondary School for a short period and then it became Millburn High School for very short period until in late 1967 it changed its name for the final time to Millburn Academy after parent pressure. From 1979 onwards the school began to focus on becoming a six year school and to this day it is held in high regard by parents and the community at large for its extremely high standard of higher education it offers.
The school runs parallel to the 'Mill Burn' which was originally used for Whisky distillery. The distillery is now gone and has been replaced by a chain hotel.
[edit] Curriculum
At the school the subjects that are offered from Standard Grade to Higher level and in many cases to Advanced Higher level through the Scottish Qualifications Authority are:
- English - to Advanced Higher
- Mathematics - to Advanced Higher (Pure)
- History - to Advanced Higher
- Geography - to Advanced Higher
- Economics
- Modern Studies
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Religious and Moral Education
- Physics - to Advanced Higher
- Chemistry - to Advanced Higher
- Biology - to Advanced Higher
- Technological Studies - to Advanced Higher
- Craft and Design
- Graphic Communication
- French - to Advanced Higher
- Spanish
- Gaelic - to Advanced Higher
- Gaelic - to Advanced Higher
- Drama
- Home Economics
- Product Design
- Art and Design - to Advanced Higher
- Music
- Business Management
- Home Economics
- Administration
- Computing Studies
- Physical Education
- Accounting and Finance
[edit] School Badge and Uniform
The school has had two badges in its history. Both are very similar. The first was designed by the former head of Art and Design at the school, the late James Cameron. It consists of:
- A torch - the symbol of learning;
- A mill wheel and water which operated on the Mill Burn;
- An eagle, the symbol of St John and the school motto, "Strive to Achieve".
The second badge is a variation of the original which was adopted by the school as the result of a majority vote held by pupils and teachers in 2004. However, on pupil uniforms only the torch appears. The school does not have any uniform as such though there is a prefect blazer which is black with light blue braid and the new school badge on the left pocket. The school tie worn by prefects is yellow, red and black striped. Only at the school prize-giving is the wearing of the school tie mandatory. From 2005 onwards, the school introduced a casual uniform for junior pupils in line with the opening of the new school building in 2008 though it is expected that this will change before then.
[edit] School Buildings
The teaching facilities at the school are split into four distinct areas. The buildings of the school are fairly old and out dated, but still serve their purpose. Blocks A and B and the huts are the main teaching buildings. The school also has its own separate specialist physical education facilities in addition to a sports pavilion on the playing fields. The school plans to knock down all of the existing buildings and build a completely new school - due to open in August 2008. This will be funded through the Public Private Partnership Agreement.
[edit] Millburn Academy Friends In Action (MAFIA)
MAFIA is a group that has been established by parents and friends of the school, in order to raise extra funds for the school. Over recent years they have raised many thousands of pounds to help fund extra facilities such as the Baillie Sports pavilion. MAFIA also contributes to the funding of school trips to America and France.
[edit] Notable Alumni and Associates
- Alasdair Macleod (Former Pupil) - BBC Executive Editor of Political Programmes for News and Current Affairs.
- Colin Baillie MBE (Former Deputy Headmaster)
- Maureen MacMillan (Former Principle Teacher of English) - Labour MSP
- John F Ward (Former Chair of the School Board) - Author
