Alness Academy (Scottish Gaelic: Acadamaidh Alanais) is a secondary school in Alness, Highland in the north on the Cromarty Firth of Scotland, serving the town of Alness and the villages of Evanton and Ardross. Along with five associated primary schools, it was one of the pilot New Community Schools in the Highlands. Originally built in the 1970s, it is one of the main schools in Ross-shire, with a school roll of 505.[1][2]
| Alness Academy Acadamaidh Alanais | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 | |
Alness Academy Drive, Alness IV17 0UY | |
| Coordinates | 57°41′35″N 4°14′53″W / 57.693°N 4.247963°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Secondary School |
| Established | c1970 |
| School district | Ross and Cromarty |
| Local authority | Highland |
| Head Teacher | Tom Magowan (Acting) |
| Staff | 50 |
| Enrolment | 505 |
| Houses | Fyrish, Dalmore, Ardross |
| Colour(s) | Black, White & Grey |
| Website | https://www.alnessacademy.co.uk |
Alness GeoScience STEM club came 2nd In the Junior Saltire Awards in Glasgow, June 2015.[3] The Schools Rock Challenge group came a superb 4th place in the Rock Challenge National Final, Dundee, also in June 2015.[4]
In June 2016 Alness Geoscience triumphed yet again winning club of the year 2016 as well as winning the WEIR 3D printed pump challenge, at the celebration of engineering and science, Glasgow science centre.[5]
As part of the Highland Council's Sustainable School Estate Review,[6] Alness Academy along with Invergordon Academy and several feeder primaries argued for replacement of the Alness Academy building and possible consolidation of the two secondary schools. In January 2016 funds for a new Alness building were confirmed.[7] The government support came from £230m it had allocated to replacing or upgrading 19 schools across Scotland. The new building opened to students on 28 October 2020.[8]
The Princess Royal officially opened Alness Academy on Tuesday 8 June 2021. As part of her visit she toured the facilities. The Princess met with long-serving teacher, Janet MacDonald where she was introduced to her border collie dog and the school’s therapy pet, Bru.
The school provides a modern learning environment that reflects the quality of the teaching staff and aspirations of the young people.[citation needed] This has been delivered by the Highland Council working in partnership with Hub North Scotland and Kier Construction.
The school has been designed for complete flexibility with a sports block housing a four court games hall, gymnasium and six-lane 25 m pool for shared community use, and a linked two-storey main teaching block.
The L-shaped teaching block has 14 general teaching classrooms, six science labs and other associated science facilities, three arts and ceramic classrooms, technologies and business classrooms and workshops, music and drama classrooms / practice rooms, hair and beauty salon, a traditional teaching kitchen (Home Economics) and a number of SEBN (Social, Emotional & Behavioural Needs) and ASN (Additional Support Needs) classrooms and associated facilities.
References
edit- ^ "Alness Academy". www.highland.gov.uk. Highland Council. 13 December 2020. Archived from the original on 16 October 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
- ^ "Standards and Quality Report" (PDF). www.alnessacademy.co.uk. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "SCDI". Archived from the original on 8 February 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
- ^ "UK Rock Challenge".
- ^ "SCDI". www.scdi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ "Sustainable School Estate Review". The Highland Council. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
- ^ "Scottish government funds for new Alness Academy". BBC. 25 January 2016.
- ^ Rodger, Kirsty. "Alness Academy pupils are welcomed into their new school building". www.highland.gov.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
External links
edit- Alness Academy Website
- Alness Academy Twitter
- Alness Academy Facebook
- Alness Academy on Education Scotland's ParentZone
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