| Established | 1979 |
|---|---|
| Type | Secondary School |
| Headteacher | Jack Harland |
| Deputy Headteacher | Mike Jamieson and Daphne McWilliam |
| Location | BRAEHEAD WAY BRIDGE OF DON ABERDEEN AB22 8RR Scotland |
| Students | 760 Approx |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Ages | 11–18 |
| Houses | Arran House, Iona House, Skye House & Tiree House |
| Colours | Black, Navy & White |
| School Years | S1- S6 |
| Contact No | 01224 707 583 |
| Website | Bridge of Don Academy |
Bridge of Don Academy is an Aberdeen City Council operated six-year secondary comprehensive school and community centre in Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, Scotland. The building was opened in 1979, originally designed to accommodate around 900 pupils. However, as a result of changes to the curriculum, the addition of new subjects and departments, as well as new educational initiatives, school capacities across the city were re-assessed by the local authority. Subsequently, the school's capacity is now less than 760. Although the secondary schools Associated Schools are Balgownie, Balmedie, Scotstown and Upper Westfield, it currently accommodates pupils who have enrolled from other primary schools, including some as far apart as Africa, France, Russia and the United States.
The school campus is currently shared with the former Upper Westfield Primary School (now known as Braehead Primary) and St Columba's Church of Scotland and Roman Catholic Church. Adjacent to the school is Westfield Park and playing fields.
The classrooms are reasonably well-equipped and carpeted. Practical subjects have open plan areas and classrooms/laboratories. Other facilities include a Music Practice and Tuition rooms, Games Hall, 25 metre Swimming Pool, Library, Assembly Room and Dining Hall/Cafeteria.
The school regularly performs a Sponsored Walk for a selected charity every August in which all pupils participate. The walk usually starts from the school, down to the mouth of the River Don, along the beach to Balmedie Beach picnic area and back. This was introduced by the former headteacher Bob McClymont who retired in 2006. The walk is enjoyed by all pupils and staff and creates a large boost of will power from everyone participating.
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1979 - Founded in 1979, the school is set in a building that is typical of the period with a flat roof and a modern concrete design.
The school was originally designed for 900 pupils but due to changes in the schools design and change of subjects taught it currently has a capacity of around 760.
2005 - The Deputy First Minister officially opened the school's solar panels on Monday 23 May 2005. Designed by UK solar heating specialists Riomay, the 180 square metre installation covers the entire roof of the swimming pool with 60 state-of-the-art, low maintenance solar panels.
2008 - the school began a renovation in which the top floor science departments and ground floor HE department were modernised with new science benches and Smart Boards added to the science department and new practical equipment and a walk-in cooler in the HE department.
2009 - Headteacher Jack P Harland improved the schools badge and uniform, using ideas from pupils, teachers and the parent council. Pupils and Staff were given the chance to democratically vote for or against different uniform ideas.
2010 - The school timetable was changed to as follows:
Monday & Tuesday 8.34 - 15.55 Wednesday to Friday 8.43 - 14.55
This change was welcomed by staff and pupils as more time for after school activities and leisure was introduced.
Bridge Of Don Academy is mainly made up of pupils who had previously gone to either Braehead Primary, Scotstown Primary, Greenbrae Primary and Balmedie school.
Current subjects taught:
The School uses a house system and is split into four and named after different Scottish isles, these are:
Guidance teachers:
Arran House- Mrs. Napier,
Iona House- Miss. Cromar,
Skye House- AN Other
Tiree House- Miss. Ritchie
It is presumed that the former Bridge of Don academy - which stood on the corner of Ellon Road And Scotstown Road - was built in the early 1930/40's to accommodate the children of the Gordon Highlander's regiment at the Gordon Barracks and the overall growing of early Bridge of Don. The School was used as the main secondary school for the growing suburb until the late 1970's, when the north east oil rush began and with it, created a bigger need for a larger secondary school due to the growing number of inhabitants. From the opening of the 'New' Bridge of Don Academy, the building was used by Aberdeen College for Media studies and the hosting of examinations in conjunction with the Gordon Barracks campus across the road. The School completely closed down in 2001, and lay empty until its demolition in August 2011. The School was thought to have been listed as a Historical Building, but this was proven wrong after Aberdeen city council decided to demolish it after 10 years of constant fire bugs and vandalism.
However, only a few things now survive from the original Bridge of don Academy, its former pupils and the Stag which features on the schools badge. The stag of the Gordon Highlanders has always featured on the Schools badge as a connection to the regiment, which the school had a strong relationship with until the buildings closure and the amalgamated of the Highlanders elsewhere.
-The only clear original photo of the old school is on the wall in the 'New' schools library. There is also a birds eye view of the site. -Most Recent Photos of the old school before demolition can be seen here: http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/showthread.php?t=19618
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Written and Edited By Alex k Bruce. Last edited 27/10/2011.