Stranraer Academy

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The original Stranraer Academy was opened in 1845 on the site of the present John Niven Campus. In 1965 a new Academy (B Block) was built alongside a new High School (A Block) and in 1970 the schools joined together. A third block (C Block) was built when the pupil roll increased to over 1600 pupils. The school roll is currently above the 1000 mark, and is the second-most attended secondary school in Dumfries and Galloway.

The opening of the first part of the new Academy during the autumn of 1997 saw a major advance in the quality of the school's built environment. The new PE facilities are the envy of many due to the provision made by Dumfries and Galloway Council. In February 2000 A Block was vacated and classes moved into newly refurbished areas in B and C Block. This has meant that the school is less spread out and that there is less loss of time travelling from Block to Block. There is now no likelihood of any disruption to teaching because of construction work. In the Autumn of 2005 demolition work was carried out on Stranraer Academy, with the result that Stranraer Academy's 'A' block was fully demolished by January 2006.

At the point of publication the Region is now in an advanced stages in its negotiations to provide a financial framework within which they intent to deliver phase II. Dumfries and Galloway Council claim this project is a top priority.

The new Academy strives to provide uniformly good quality opportunities for all. In addition to providing a modern environment for learning, all buildings have been modified through the provision of ramps and adaptation of toilets for catering to as wide a range of young people from the area as possible.

Nearly 100 full and part time teachers work at the Academy, and are aided by an team of support staff.

In January 2006 the HMIe report was released. It did not give Stranraer Academy a good report, and most sections where rated Poor.

In May of 2006 the school's Rector (James Higgins) announced his retirement from the school, and left in August. Following the HMIe report of that year he has increasingly seen his powers and roles of rector being devolved to the school's new Authority Manager.

Stranraer Academy is currently developing a website.