Waid Academy
| Waid Academy | |
|---|---|
|
“Multi Pertransibunt Et Augebitur Scientia” many will pass through and knowledge will be increased" | |
| Address | |
|
St. Andrews Road Anstruther, Scotland United Kingdom | |
| Coordinates | 56°13′30″N 2°42′14″W / 56.2249°N 2.7039°WCoordinates: 56°13′30″N 2°42′14″W / 56.2249°N 2.7039°W |
| Information | |
| Established | September 1886 |
| Founder | Andrew Waid |
| School district | Fife |
| Rector | Ian Hughes |
| Enrollment | 750 (September 2010) |
| Colour(s) | Red and Black |
The Waid Academy is a public secondary school in Anstruther, Fife. The school's catchment area extends to Lundin Links, Lower Largo and Upper Largo but accepts pupils from towns such as Leven, Kennoway and Markinch.
History
Lieutenant Andrew Waid (1736-1804), an Anstruther man, left his money for the founding of Waid’s Orphan Naval Academy for the sons of poor mariners and fishermen. For a variety of reasons it was not possible for his wishes to be carried out in the years following his death, and for much of the 19th century his will was ignored and the value of his estate accumulated. At last in 1884, Commissioners appointed under the Educational Endowments (Scotland) Act of 1882, proposed a scheme for his money to be used for the creation of a secondary school to serve the East Neuk of Fife. On 6 September 1886, The Waid Academy opened for the first time. It was the first school in Scotland to be created under the 1882 Act and its constitution became a model for other schools which were created or changed as a result of the Act.
The Waid Academy received a coat of arms in 1959 which was approved by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. It was designed by Stewart Lees, teacher of art at the school from 1953 to 1960. The design and motto are based on the carving in stone above the school’s main entrance. The coat of arms shows a ship passing between towers or pier heads. The logo is underscribed by the Latin phrase “Multi Pertransibunt Et Augebitur Scientia” - many will pass through and knowledge will be increased.
The Waid Academy school uniform consists of a black wool blazer, with red piping and a red and black tie, along with a school shirt and trousers/skirt.
A new sports hall and playing fields was opened for the school in 2003. In 2008, Iain Hughes was appointed Rector of the school, after serving as Deputy Rector for many years.
In October 2014 it was announced that funding had been secured to build a new Waid Academy building. Costing £24 million the new building will be located in the north west of the existing school site, currently a grass playing field and all-weather pitch. At its heart will be a central dining and ‘social learning hub’ atrium, a triple height space with a ‘performance stair’ and ‘enterprise bridge’. It will have a new all-weather pitch laid to Scottish Rugby Union standards and a hockey pitch. Grounds will also include a wildflower meadow, ‘nurture courtyard’ garden and a habitat walk. The original Waid Academy building will be retained but extensions demolished. It is expected to open March 2017.[1]
Alumni
- Edith Bowman - Radio presenter
- Doug Henderson - Labour MP for Newcastle North
- Andrew Mackintosh - Actor, portrayed DS Alistair Greig in the long-running ITV drama The Bill.
- George Mudie - Labour MP for Leeds East
- Daniel Sloss - Comedian
- Jocky Wilson - Winner of the World Darts Championship 1982 & 1989