Musselburgh Grammar School
Encyclopedia
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 there. As of December 2005 the school's roll was 1510.
The current headteacher is Ronald Summers who has been in position since 2003.
The school's most infamous teacher is a young otter called Thorby.
. 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. This led to a media furore with some newspapers describing the school as 'the worst school in Scotland'.
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. 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 2006 was generally very positive and praised the school for the quality of pupil support, the positive relationships between pupils and staff and the highly effective leadership the school is now under.
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 competing in Houses during the school year.
Musselburgh
Musselburgh is the largest settlement in East Lothian, Scotland, on the coast of the Firth of Forth, six miles east of Edinburgh city centre.-History:...
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 there. As of December 2005 the school's roll was 1510.
The current headteacher is Ronald Summers who has been in position since 2003.
The school's most infamous teacher is a young otter called Thorby.
HMIE Reports
In June 1999 the school was criticised following a Care and Welfare Inspection by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of EducationHer Majesty's Inspectorate of Education
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education is an executive agency of the Scottish Government, responsible for the inspection of public and independent, primary and secondary schools, as well as further education colleges, community learning, Local Authority Education Departments and teacher...
. 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. This led to a media furore with some newspapers describing the school as 'the worst school in Scotland'.
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. 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 2006 was generally very positive and praised the school for the quality of pupil support, the positive relationships between pupils and staff and the highly effective leadership the school is now under.
House system
The school has a well established house system, which divides all pupils in the school into three different Houses when they start in S1;;-- Grange (Mrs. Y. Mackie)
- Moray (Mr. R. Burns)
- Caird (Mr. R. Fruish)
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 competing in Houses during the school year.
Notable former pupils
- Rhona CameronRhona CameronRhona Cameron is a Scottish comedian. She rose to prominence via the stand-up comedy circuit, and became a regular on British TV in the 1990s.-Television career:...
, comedian and writer - Susan DeaconSusan DeaconSusan Deacon is a Scottish politician, academic, commentator and a former Scottish Cabinet Minister.She was Labour MSP for Edinburgh East & Musselburgh from 1999–2007 and served as Scotland’s first Cabinet Minister for Health and Community Care following the creation of the Scottish Parliament in...
, former Scottish Labour PartyScottish Labour PartyThe Scottish Labour Party is the section of the British Labour Party which operates in Scotland....
Member of the Scottish ParliamentMember of the Scottish ParliamentMember of the Scottish Parliament is the title given to any one of the 129 individuals elected to serve in the Scottish Parliament.-Methods of Election:MSPs are elected in one of two ways:...
and Minister for Heath and Community Care until 2001. Professor of Social Change at Queen Margaret University - Alex HayAlex HayAlex Hay was a Scottish professional golfer, golf instructor, writer and a former BBC sports commentator. Hay was best known for his commentating partnership with Peter Alliss where their banter, often displaying humour or wit became regarded by many as the "Voice of Golf". He was a former Ryder...
, professional golfer, writer and former BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
sports commentator - Kenny MillerKenny MillerKenneth "Kenny" Miller is a Scottish footballer who plays as a striker for Cardiff City and the Scotland national football team...
, professional footballer - David Macbeth MoirDavid Macbeth MoirDavid Macbeth Moir , Scottish physician and writer, was born at Musselburgh.He studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, taking his degree in 1816. Entering into partnership with a Musselburgh doctor he practised there until his death...
, physician and writer - Colin NishColin NishColin Nish is a Scottish footballer who currently plays as a striker for Hartlepool United.-Early life:Nish grew up in Musselburgh and was a fan of his local side Hibernian as a child.-Dunfermline Athletic:...
, professional footballer - Jason HoltJason Holt (footballer)Jason Holt is a professional football player currently playing for Raith Rovers in the Scottish First Division on loan from Scottish Premier League side Heart of Midlothian. Holt has represented Scotland at under 19 level.-Youth career:Holt grew up in Musselburgh as a Hearts fan and attended...
, Professional footballer - Kris RentonKris RentonKris Joseph Renton is a Scottish footballer who currently plays as a striker for Musselburgh Athletic. He is most notable for being the youngest Norwich City player in the club's history.-Youth team at Norwich:...
,footballer - Billy BrownBilly Brown (footballer born 1950)Billy Brown is a Scottish football former player and coach. He is currently the caretaker manager of Hibernian. Brown played in the Scottish Football League for Motherwell and Raith Rovers...
,football coach - Jim JefferiesJim JefferiesJames "Jim" Jefferies is a Scottish football former player and manager. Jefferies played for Heart of Midlothian for almost his whole playing career and enjoyed a successful first managerial spell with the club, winning the 1998 Scottish Cup...
,Professional footballer and manager - Steven BlackSteven BlackSteven "Steve" D. Black is the former Vice-Chairman of JP Morgan Chase & Co.. He previously served as the Co-Chief Executive Officer of JP Morgan, the investment banking subsidiary of JP Morgan Chase. He is a 1974 graduate of Duke University, and has served on the New York Development Council...
, Entrepreneur and CEO of Sports Direct Ltd. - John McGlynn,Footballer and manager
- Robert BlackRobert Black (serial killer)Robert Black is a Scottish paedophile serial killer convicted of the kidnap and murder of four girls between the ages of 5 and 11 between 1981 and 1986 in the United Kingdom. He was convicted of sexually assaulting one of the girls and of raping the other three...