John Ogilvie High School

Saint John Ogilvie High School is a Roman Catholic secondary state school located in the Burnbank area of Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Bus crash

On 4 June 2004, more than 200 students and about 10 staff from John Ogilvie High School and Coltness High School were travelling to Lightwater Valley theme park when they were involved in an accident at East Layton. Fifty-four children were injured in the crash, and three children were kept in hospital overnight, but there were no serious injuries.^[1]

Rebuilding of the school

South Lanarkshire council announced on 22 August 2005 that it had gained planning permission to completely rebuild John Ogilvie, as well as rebuilding several other high schools in the area, as part of a multi-million pound deal to modernise schools in the area.^[2] The new school was opened for the beginning of the 2008 school year and contained fantastic new facilities for each department including high tech and up to date computer laboratories as well as the best standards of recreational facilities for pupils with the senior students being given their own unique area to socialise in.^[3]

Controversy over standard of teaching

The school was involved in March 2007 in a row over the standard of teaching given to some students.

Renaming

In March 2015, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the martyrdom of Saint John Ogilvie, the school under the leadership of head teacher Edward Morrison officially changed its name from "John Ogilvie High School" to "Saint John Ogilve High School." This action occurred after a long process of consulting staff, parents and pupils as well as seeking approval and permission from the local authorities. The overall majority of the school community were in favour of the name change and the occasion was celebrated with an official ceremony wherein Bishop Joseph Toal of the diocese of Motherwell blessed the newly named school and said a special commemorative mass. The evening also showcased the immense talent and the fostering of success and greatness which occurs in the school with guests being serenaded by the accomplished school band, treated with a rendition of the official school poem which was made upon the opening of the new building and dazzled with a very large buffet of food. Special guests at the event included officials within the education department of South Lanarkshire Council, local dignitaries and staff and pupils of the past who had given their time to recognise and appreciate the beckoning of a new and exciting era for the school.

Notable former pupils

• Jim Mullen, chief executive (CEO) of Ladbrokes^[4]

References

External links

• School Website
• South Lanarkshire Council Website
• John Ogilvie High School's page on Scottish Schools Online

Coordinates: 55°46′45″N 4°04′45″W / 55.77917°N 4.07917°W / 55.77917; -4.07917