Bridge of Don Academy
Encyclopedia
57°11′6"N 2°6′39"W
Bridge of Don Academy is an Aberdeen City Council
operated six-year secondary comprehensive school and community centre in Bridge of Don
, Aberdeen
, Scotland
.
The building was opened in 1979, originally designed to accommodate around 900 pupils. However, as a result of changes to the curriculum, the addition of new subjects and departments, as well as new educational initiatives, school capacities across the city were re-assessed by the local authority. Subsequently, the school's capacity is now less than 760.
Although the secondary schools Associated Schools are Balgownie, Balmedie, Scotstown and Upper Westfield, it currently accommodates pupils who have enrolled from other primary schools, including some as far apart as Africa, France, Russia and the United States.
The school campus is currently shared with the former Upper Westfield Primary School (now known as Braehead Primary) and St Columba's Church of Scotland and Roman Catholic Church. Adjacent to the school is Westfield Park and playing fields.
The classrooms are reasonably well-equipped and carpeted. Practical subjects have open plan areas and classrooms/laboratories. Other facilities include a Music Practice and Tuition rooms, Games Hall, 25 metre Swimming Pool, Library, Assembly Room and Dining Hall/Cafeteria.
The school regularly performs a Sponsored Walk for a selected charity every August in which all pupils participate. The walk usually starts from the school, down to the mouth of the River Don, along the beach to Balmedie Beach picnic area and back. This was introduced by the former headteacher Bob McClymont who retired in 2006. The walk is enjoyed by all pupils and staff and creates a large boost of will power from everyone participating.
The school was originally designed for 900 pupils but due to changes in the schools design and change of subjects taught it currently has a capacity of around 760.
2005 - The Deputy First Minister officially opened the school's solar panels on Monday 23 May 2005. Designed by UK solar heating specialists Riomay, the 180 square metre installation covers the entire roof of the swimming pool with 60 state-of-the-art, low maintenance solar panels.
2008 - the school began a renovation in which the top floor science departments and ground floor HE department were modernised with new science benches and Smart Boards added to the science department and new practical equipment and a walk-in cooler in the HE department.
2009 - Headteacher Jack P Harland improved the schools badge and uniform, using ideas from pupils, teachers and the parent council. Pupils and Staff were given the chance to democratically vote for or against different uniform ideas.
2010 - The school timetable was changed to as follows:
Monday & Tuesday 8.34 - 15.55
Wednesday to Friday 8.43 - 14.55
This change was welcomed by staff and pupils as more time for after school activities and leisure was introduced.
Guidance teachers:
Arran House- Mrs. Napier,
Iona House- Miss. Cromar,
Skye House- AN Other
Tiree House- Miss. Ritchie
However, only a few things now survive from the original Bridge of don Academy, its former pupils and the Stag which features on the schools badge. The stag of the Gordon Highlanders has always featured on the Schools badge as a connection to the regiment, which the school had a strong relationship with until the buildings closure and the amalgamated of the Highlanders elsewhere.
-The only clear original photo of the old school is on the wall in the 'New' schools library. There is also a birds eye view of the site.
-Most Recent Photos of the old school before demolition can be seen here: http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/showthread.php?t=19618
Bridge of Don Academy is an Aberdeen City Council
Aberdeen City Council
Aberdeen City Council represents the Aberdeen City council area of Scotland.The council area was created in 1996, under the Local Government etc. Act 1994...
operated six-year secondary comprehensive school and community centre in Bridge of Don
Bridge of Don
Bridge of Don is a suburb in the north of Aberdeen, Scotland. It has an estimated population of over 22,000.Bridge of Don is split into smaller areas...
, Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
The building was opened in 1979, originally designed to accommodate around 900 pupils. However, as a result of changes to the curriculum, the addition of new subjects and departments, as well as new educational initiatives, school capacities across the city were re-assessed by the local authority. Subsequently, the school's capacity is now less than 760.
Although the secondary schools Associated Schools are Balgownie, Balmedie, Scotstown and Upper Westfield, it currently accommodates pupils who have enrolled from other primary schools, including some as far apart as Africa, France, Russia and the United States.
The school campus is currently shared with the former Upper Westfield Primary School (now known as Braehead Primary) and St Columba's Church of Scotland and Roman Catholic Church. Adjacent to the school is Westfield Park and playing fields.
The classrooms are reasonably well-equipped and carpeted. Practical subjects have open plan areas and classrooms/laboratories. Other facilities include a Music Practice and Tuition rooms, Games Hall, 25 metre Swimming Pool, Library, Assembly Room and Dining Hall/Cafeteria.
The school regularly performs a Sponsored Walk for a selected charity every August in which all pupils participate. The walk usually starts from the school, down to the mouth of the River Don, along the beach to Balmedie Beach picnic area and back. This was introduced by the former headteacher Bob McClymont who retired in 2006. The walk is enjoyed by all pupils and staff and creates a large boost of will power from everyone participating.
History
1979 - Founded in 1979, the school is set in a building that is typical of the period with a flat roof and a modern concrete design.The school was originally designed for 900 pupils but due to changes in the schools design and change of subjects taught it currently has a capacity of around 760.
2005 - The Deputy First Minister officially opened the school's solar panels on Monday 23 May 2005. Designed by UK solar heating specialists Riomay, the 180 square metre installation covers the entire roof of the swimming pool with 60 state-of-the-art, low maintenance solar panels.
2008 - the school began a renovation in which the top floor science departments and ground floor HE department were modernised with new science benches and Smart Boards added to the science department and new practical equipment and a walk-in cooler in the HE department.
2009 - Headteacher Jack P Harland improved the schools badge and uniform, using ideas from pupils, teachers and the parent council. Pupils and Staff were given the chance to democratically vote for or against different uniform ideas.
2010 - The school timetable was changed to as follows:
Monday & Tuesday 8.34 - 15.55
Wednesday to Friday 8.43 - 14.55
This change was welcomed by staff and pupils as more time for after school activities and leisure was introduced.
Feeder Schools
Bridge Of Don Academy is mainly made up of pupils who had previously gone to either Braehead Primary, Scotstown Primary, Greenbrae Primary and Balmedie school.Subjects
Current subjects taught:- MathematicsMathematicsMathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
- EnglishEnglish languageEnglish is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
- Foreign Languages - FrenchFrench languageFrench is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, SpanishSpanish languageSpanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
- Social StudiesSocial studiesSocial studies is the "integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence," as defined by the American National Council for the Social Studies...
- GeographyGeographyGeography is the science that studies the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of Earth. A literal translation would be "to describe or write about the Earth". The first person to use the word "geography" was Eratosthenes...
, HistoryHistoryHistory is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
, Modern StudiesModern StudiesModern Studies is a subject unique to the Scottish secondary school curriculum , that is concerned with the study of local, national and international issues from a social, political and economic perspective...
- ScienceScienceScience is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
- BiologyBiologyBiology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
, ChemistryChemistryChemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
, PhysicsPhysicsPhysics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
- Physical EducationPhysical educationPhysical education or gymnastics is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting....
- Arts & CraftsArts and craftsArts and crafts comprise a whole host of activities and hobbies that are related to making things with one's hands and skill. These can be sub-divided into handicrafts or "traditional crafts" and "the rest"...
- MusicMusicMusic is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
- ComputingComputingComputing is usually defined as the activity of using and improving computer hardware and software. It is the computer-specific part of information technology...
/I.C.T.
- Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies
- Home EconomicsHome EconomicsHome economics is the profession and field of study that deals with the economics and management of the home and community...
- Child Care, Practical Cookery
- Technological StudiesTechnological studiesTechnological Studies is part of the Scottish Standard Grade course.The base Standard Grade course includes:* Introduction to Systems* Pneumatic Systems* Applied Electronics* Programmable Control* Mechanisms* Energy-Further Learning:...
- Art and Design, Metalwork, Woodwork
Houses
The School uses a house system and is split into four and named after different Scottish isles, these are:Guidance teachers:
Arran House- Mrs. Napier,
Iona House- Miss. Cromar,
Skye House- AN Other
Tiree House- Miss. Ritchie
Notable former pupils
- Warren CummingsWarren CummingsWarren Thomas Cummings is a Scottish professional footballer currently playing as a defender for Bournemouth.-Playing career:...
; former ChelseaChelsea F.C.Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
football player now playing for A.F.C. BournemouthA.F.C. BournemouthA.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
, he has one cap for ScotlandScotland national football teamThe Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
which came against Hong KongHong Kong national football teamThe Hong Kong national football team , represents Hong Kong in international association football events such as the FIFA World Cup, AFC Asian Cup and East Asian Football Championship. The team is represented by the Hong Kong Football Association....
in 2002
- Colin Milne; former AberdeenAberdeen F.C.Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
, MontroseMontrose F.C.Montrose Football Club is a Scottish semi-professional football team, based in the town of Montrose, Angus. They are members of the Scottish Football League and currently play in the Third Division.- Early years :...
and PeterheadPeterhead F.C.Peterhead F.C. are a football club based in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. They currently play in the Scottish Football League Third Division, following promotion in the 2004–05 season.Their home ground is Balmoor in Peterhead, with a capacity of 4,000...
football player.
- Mark PerryMark Perry (Scottish footballer)Mark George Perry is a Scottish footballer who currently plays in defence for Highland League side Keith. He has previously played at all four levels of Scottish senior football.-Career:...
; former Dundee United, AberdeenAberdeen F.C.Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
, Ross CountyRoss County F.C.Ross County Football Club are a Scottish professional football team from the town of Dingwall, Ross and Cromarty. Founded in 1929 they currently compete in the Scottish Football League First Division and play their home matches at Victoria Park. Prior to the 1994–95 season they played in the...
and PeterheadPeterhead F.C.Peterhead F.C. are a football club based in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. They currently play in the Scottish Football League Third Division, following promotion in the 2004–05 season.Their home ground is Balmoor in Peterhead, with a capacity of 4,000...
football player now playing for Highland Football LeagueHighland Football LeagueThe Press & Journal Highland Football League is a league of football clubs operating not just in the Scottish Highlands, as the name may suggest, but also in the north-east lowlands...
team KeithKeith F.C.Keith F.C. are a senior football club who currently play in the Highland League in Scotland.They were founded in 1910 and play at Kynoch Park which is at the east end of the town..Keith are the football team of Keith in Banffshire, north-east Scotland...
. Perry joined his boyhood heroes Aberdeen in 1998 following a successful career with Dundee UtdDundee United F.C.Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
. He made 59 appearances for the Dons.
- Tyrone Smith; Sports presenter on STV News at SixSTV News at SixSTV News at Six is a Scottish regional news programme, covering the two STV franchise areas of Northern and Central Scotland, produced by STV Central in the Central region and STV North in the Northern region.The programmes were launched on Monday 23 March 2009, replacing Scotland Today in...
(North).
- Yulie; well loved guide dog for Mr McFarlane, now retired.
Original Bridge of Don Academy
It is presumed that the former Bridge of Don academy - which stood on the corner of Ellon Road And Scotstown Road - was built in the early 1930/40's to accommodate the children of the Gordon Highlander's regiment at the Gordon Barracks and the overall growing of early Bridge of Don. The School was used as the main secondary school for the growing suburb until the late 1970's, when the north east oil rush began and with it, created a bigger need for a larger secondary school due to the growing number of inhabitants. From the opening of the 'New' Bridge of Don Academy, the building was used by Aberdeen College for Media studies and the hosting of examinations in conjunction with the Gordon Barracks campus across the road. The School completely closed down in 2001, and lay empty until its demolition in August 2011. The School was thought to have been listed as a Historical Building, but this was proven wrong after Aberdeen city council decided to demolish it after 10 years of constant fire bugs and vandalism.However, only a few things now survive from the original Bridge of don Academy, its former pupils and the Stag which features on the schools badge. The stag of the Gordon Highlanders has always featured on the Schools badge as a connection to the regiment, which the school had a strong relationship with until the buildings closure and the amalgamated of the Highlanders elsewhere.
-The only clear original photo of the old school is on the wall in the 'New' schools library. There is also a birds eye view of the site.
-Most Recent Photos of the old school before demolition can be seen here: http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/showthread.php?t=19618