Girvan Academy

Girvan Academy is a non-denominational, co-secondary school in Girvan, Scotland run by South Ayrshire Council. The current Rector is Allan Rattray.

History

Girvan Academy is a long established school. It has its origins in the early part of the 1800s when there were two schools serving the local community - the Burgh School and the Parish School which was also known as the Parochial or Grammar School at different times in its history. Around 1812 the two schools merged to form Girvan Higher Grade School which later became Girvan High School and then Girvan Academy.

The past history of the school may be traced by an examination of the old Dux Boards on display in the Theatre. A large number of many well known local names are to be found on these boards although it is worth noting that the history of the Parochial School goes back some thirty years before the first year recorded on the Dux Board.

In 1988 the latest stage in the development of the Academy was reached with the completion of a new building in the Avenue to replace the Wesley Road building which, despite the addition of hutted areas could not accommodate all pupils.

School Structure

The Academy has three Houses:

• Glenapp
• Killochan
• Penkill

The Houses are named after local castles. Each house has a member of SMT and a Principal Teacher of Guidance associated with it.

Catchment Area

Details of the school's catchment area and street names are available for inspection at the school and parents can also access them on the Council's web site at www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk The catchment map and area available can also be viewed from the School Management Section, Children and Community, County Buildings, Wellington Square, Ayr KA7 1DR.

Senior Management Team

• Rector - Mr Allan Rattray
• Depute Head - Mrs Elaine Brooksbank
• Depute Head - Ms Elaine Harrigan
• Depute Head - Mr Alex Scott

School Holidays

Dates of school holidays can be found at: http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/holidays.aspx

Associated Primary Schools

• Ballantrae Primary School, Ballantrae - Acting Head Teacher: Mrs Y Templeton - Tel: 01465 831369
• Barr Primary School, Barr - Head Teacher: Mr F Baird - Tel: 01465 861244
• Barrhill Primary School, Barrhill - Acting Head Teacher: Mrs L Candlish - Tel: 01465 821281
• Colmonell Primary School, Colmonell - Acting Head Teacher: Mrs Y Templeton - Tel: 01465 881235
• Dailly Primary School, Dailly - Acting Head Teacher: Mrs L MacDonald - Tel: 01465 811258
• Girvan Primary School, Girvan - Head Teacher: Mrs G Ferguson - Tel: 01465 713167
• Maidens Primary School, Maidens - Head Teacher: Mrs N Blackley - Tel: 01655 331274

Guidance

In a school of approximately 600 pupils, there is a danger that an individual pupil may feel “lost in the crowd”, especially if he/she has just left a small primary school. In addition, the range of new subjects encountered and the organisation of the working day - so different from the primary school - may cause concern in some pupils. It is important therefore, that there exists in the school a structure which allows certain teachers to have special responsibility for the social and emotional as well as the educational needs of pupils and to whom pupils may turn for guidance should problems arise.

At the time of enrolment, each pupil is allocated to a house group and the specially appointed Guidance teacher responsible for this house looks after the pastoral care of the pupil at every stage of his/her school career. As other members of the family come to the school they join the same house group and in this way parents establish a good working relationship with guidance staff over a number of years. Guidance provides the link between home and school which is so crucial in establishing an effective home/school partnership.

In Girvan Academy Mr A Scott is Pupil Support Co-ordinator, with overall responsibility for Guidance.

Extra Curricular Activities

School is about much more than just what happens in the classroom. Many staff freely give their own time throughout the year to offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Amongst these are school shows like the most recent: We Will Rock You. Further details of our Extra Curricular Activities can be found on our website.

Pupil Council

Consultation with pupils about their views on their school environment and their learning is important and valuable to our school. We recognise that giving young people a “voice” as partners in the process of school improvement, leads to more effective learning environment in the Academy.

Pupil Councils is one means of ensuring that young people develop positive attitudes and an opportunity to take part in “real life” decision-making within their own school setting.

Parent Council and Parent Forum

Parent Councils are the formal representative body for parents with children attending school. Parent Councils are different in each school to enable them to meet the needs of parents locally. Parents are welcomed to be:

• involved with their child’s education and learning;
• be active participants in the life of the school; and
• express their views on school education generally and work in partnership with their children's schools.

All parents / carers are automatically members of the Parent Forum at their child’s school. As a member of the Parent Forum all parents can expect to:

• receive information about the school and its activities;
• hear about what partnership with parents means in our school;
• be invited to be involved in ways and times that suit you;
• identify issues you want the parent council, to work on with the school;
• be asked your opinion by the parent council on issues relating to the school and the education it provides;
• work in partnership with staff; and
• enjoy taking part in the life of the school in whatever way possible.

The Parent Forum decides how their representatives on the Parent Council are chosen and how the Parent Council operates. Parents are encouraged to volunteer or put themselves forward to be chosen as representatives of the Parent Council if they wish.

For more information on parental involvement or to find out about parents as partners in their children’s learning, please contact the school or visit the Parentzone website at http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/parentzone/

External links

• Official Twitter Page
• Official Flickr Page
• Official YouTube Page
• Official Girvan Academy Website
• Rector's Blog
• South Ayrshire Council's Girvan Academy Page
• Education Scotland's Girvan Academy Page
• HMle Reports
• South Ayrshire Council Standards & Quality Report
• Girvan Academy on RateMyTeachers

v t e Secondary schools in South Ayrshire Ayr Academy Belmont Academy Carrick Academy Girvan Academy Kyle Academy Marr College Queen Margaret Academy Prestwick Academy Wellington School1 1Privately funded school