Vale of Leven Academy

Vale of Leven Academy
Motto

1884 - 2010 Latin: Virtus Sola Nobilitas (Virtue is the only nobility)

2010 - Present: Achieving Together
Established 1884
Type Secondary
Headteacher Paul Darroch
Location Main Street
Alexandria
West Dunbartonshire
G83 0BH
Scotland
Local authority West Dunbartonshire Council
Staff 92
Students 994
Gender Mixed
Ages 12–18
Houses

Arden Cameron Lennox

Fruin
Colours

Maroon and Silver

         
SEED Number 8304831
Website www.scottishschools.info/valeoflevenacademy/
Vale of Leven Academy within West Dunbartonshire
Vale of Leven Academy within West Dunbartonshire

Vale of Leven Academy is a non-denominational secondary school in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland. The current school building, opened in June 2009, has a capacity for approximately 1,100 pupils.

History

The school is situated in the south of Alexandria, on the border with Renton. The school site also includes St. Martin's RC Primary school. This site was first used in 1962 when the school relocated there from its previous location, approximately one mile north, the sandstone building which now houses Christie Park primary School. This building had been built in 1884 as the North Public School.[1]

By the early 1970s the school had become overcrowded with many classes taking place in temporary huts. A new building or extension was opened in 1973, in the place of the tennis courts, adding 28 new classrooms along with a large gym hall, library and cafeteria.

In 1996 the school was used as a filming location for Scottish Television series Take the High Road, specifically for school scenes starring Gary Hollywood's character Dominic. Filming took place during school holidays and many pupils came in in uniform to act as extras.

In the early hours on Saturday, 22 June 2002 the 'New Building' (still called that 3 decades after being built) was set on fire,[2] completely destroying the building [3] and spreading debris up to three miles away. For the next seven years many lessons were taught in temporary portacabin.

In early 2008 building work started on a new school building, a public private partnership between West Dunbartonshire Council and Dutch company BAM.[4] the school was finished in June 2009 [5] and opened for the next school term that August.

Former head teachers

Previous head teachers include Alex Rannie (c. 1965–74), Tom Murray (1974 – c. 1980), Duncan Penny, Angus McDonald, Terry Lanagan and Catriona Robertson. The current head teacher is Paul Darroch who took over in 2016.

Senior Leadership Team

Curriculum Leaders & their Departments

Notable alumni

Sharleen Spiteri - singer, songwriter, guitarist and lead vocalist of Texas

David Currie - journalist and presenter of Sportscene on BBC Scotland

Bobby Kerr - former football midfielder who captained Sunderland to victory in the 1973 FA Cup Final against Leeds United

Ian McColl - Scottish football defender who played for Queen's Park, Rangers and the Scotland national team. After retiring as a player, he managed the Scotland national team and Sunderland

References

  1. ↑ http://bamppp.com/projects/west-dunbartonshire-schools
  2. ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2059515.stm
  3. ↑ http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/fire-that-devastated-school-was-started-on-purpose-1.146513
  4. ↑ http://bamppp.com/projects/west-dunbartonshire-schools
  5. ↑ http://www.lennoxherald.co.uk/dunbartonshire-news/school-reports/2009/03/20/praise-for-vale-of-leven-academy-x2019-s-new-building-114557-23167042/
Vale of Leven Academy

Coordinates: 55°58′49″N 4°34′52″W / 55.9804°N 4.5810°W / 55.9804; -4.5810

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