Musselburgh Grammar School

Musselburgh Grammar School is a large state secondary school that serves as the main secondary school for Musselburgh and the surrounding areas. It dates back to the sixteenth century, although the present building was erected in 1835. Until the 1950s the school was a 'proper' Grammar School, and fees were paid for attendance.^[1] As of 2014 the school's roll was 1227.^[2]

Ronald Summers, who has been in position since 2003, retired as Headteacher in June 2014 to take up a position with the SQA where he will oversee the introduction of the new Higher and Advanced Higher courses. Stewart McKinnon was Headteacher from August 2014 until February 2015 when Colin Gerrie former head teacher of Dalkeith high school took over. until^[3]

Musselburgh and Surrounding Area Primary Schools

Musselburgh Grammar School consists of six primary schools - Stoneyhill Primary School, Campie Primary School, Pinkie Primary School, Burgh Primary School, Whitecraig Primary School and Wallyford Primary School. During P7, the school perform a transition event in June to help the students to change from primary to secondary schools.

HMIE Reports

In June 1999 the school was criticised following a Care and Welfare Inspection by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education. The report referred to having witnessed a battle between rival gangs in the school entrance area and that a third of pupil's surveyed feared for their own safety. It also mentioned general weaknesses in safety, security, care and welfare; although the staff are praised for their efforts in the face of serious challenges.^[4] This led to a media furore with some newspapers describing the school as 'the worst school in Scotland'.^[5]

A follow up inspection in 2000 reported that the school and East Lothian Council had "responded promptly" and made "very good progress" in tackling the problems identified.^[6] Since then there have been many positive changes in the school, including the appointment of Ronald Summers as Headteacher, giving rise to improved standards across the board. The school also underwent a major refurbishment under the PPP Scheme during this time to improve the quality of the accommodation.

The most recent HMIE report from 2014 expressed concern at the level of attainment of pupils. It highlighted that in relation to comparator schools, pupils at Musselburgh Grammar were under performing.^[7]

House system

The school has a well established house system, which divides all pupils in the school into three different Houses when they start.

• Caird
• Grange
• Moray

There was a fourth house in the school called Seton which disbanded in 2011. House assemblies are held weekly and pupils enter a wide range of activities between Houses during the school year.

The School Day

The School Day consists of 6 Periods throughout the day. They are as follows:

• Registration: 08:45 - 08:50
• Period 1 = 08:50 - 09:50
• Period 2 = 09:50 - 10:50
• Break = 10:50 - 11:05
• Period 3 = 11:05 - 12:05
• Period 4 = 12:05 - 13:05
• Lunch = 13:05 - 13:50
• Period 5 = 13:50 - 14:50
• Period 6 = 14:50 - 15:50

Notable former pupils

• Rhona Cameron, comedian and writer
• Susan Deacon, former Scottish Labour Party Member of the Scottish Parliament and Minister for Heath and Community Care until 2001. Professor of Social Change at Queen Margaret University
• Alex Hay, professional golfer, writer and former BBC sports commentator
• Kenny Miller, football player^[8]
• David Macbeth Moir, physician and writer^[1]
• Colin Nish, football player
• Jason Holt, football player
• Kris Renton, football player
• Kevin Smith, football player
• Alan Morgan football player
• Billy Brown, football player and manager
• Jim Jefferies, football player and manager
• John McGlynn, football player and manager
• Ross Muir, professional snooker player
• James Motion, soldier
• Callum Beattie, Singer/Musician

References

External links

• School website
• HMIE report May 2014