Oldmachar Academy
Oldmachar Academy is situated in Bridge of Don in the north of Aberdeen in an area of private housing. It is a six-year comprehensive, non-denominational school which opened to pupils in August 1982 (April 1983 on its present site). In 2004 it was ranked in the top 50 Secondary Schools in Scotland.
| Oldmachar Academy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
Jesmond Drive , AB22 8UR Scotland | |
| Information | |
| Type | Secondary School |
| Motto | No fish we can't catch, No tower we can't climb, No river we can't cross |
| Established | August 1982 |
| Local authority | Aberdeen City Council |
| Staff | 40+ |
| Gender | Co-educational |
| Age | 11 to 18 |
| Capacity | 1104[1] |
| Houses | Auchindoun, Crathes, Esslemont, Fyvie |
| Colour(s) | Purple, blue and silver |
| Website | Oldmachar Academy |
Overview
The school consists of seven blocks built to form an irregular quadrangle, with playing fields to the north of the school. The school buildings have often been a target for vandals, with 140 incidents recorded between 2016 and 2019.[2]
The school receives Primary 7 pupils from the 5 associated Primary schools in its 'Associate Schools Group'. These schools are:
- Danestone Primary School
- Forehill Primary School
- Glashieburn Primary School
- Greenbrae Primary School
- Middleton Park School
The current head teacher is Joanne Hesford, who took over in 2022 from Judith Mohammed.
The school has a capacity of 1,104 pupils. The school roll has gradually fallen over the years, with figures from Aberdeen City Council listing a roll of 852 in 2012, dropping to 656 in 2018, before being forecast to rise slightly in 2020.[3]
The school has a tradition of promoting healthy eating among its pupils, including limiting the amount of fried food available in the canteen.[4] The then-Rector Joseph Leiper took part in a Scotland-wide inquiry into healthy eating in schools in 2004.[5] He was made an OBE for services to education in that year's New Year's Honours list.[6]
Houses
As of 2009, there are seven classes in each year group (A to G) except S1 which has six classes. There are four school houses, each named after a local Scottish castle beginning with the letter of the six corresponding classes. "G" does not have its own house due to there not being enough pupils and the absence of a first year "G" class, so they are split into the other houses by year.
The houses are:
- Auchindoun (1A–6A)
- Crathes (1C–6C)
- Esslemont (1E–6E)
- Fyvie (1F–6F)
Head teachers
| Name | Incumbency |
|---|---|
| Joanne Hesford | 2022 - Present |
| Judith Mohammed | 2014-2022 |
| Derek Brown | 2009–2014 |
| James Dalgarno | 2004–2009 |
| Joseph Leiper | 1984–2004 |
| Campbell Westwood | 1982-1984 |
Notable former pupils
- Scott Booth, footballer
- Neil Fachie, cyclist
- Norman Macleod, journalist and news presenter (attended Oldmachar for two years)
- Scott Michie, footballer
- Gavin Rae, footballer
- Dennis Wyness, footballer
- Michael Rose, footballer
References
- "Roll Forecast Oldmachar Academy Schools Group" (PDF). Aberdeen CityCouncil. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
- Wyllie, James. "Dismay as 'idiots' cost councils £800,000 by trashing north and north-east public buildings". Press and Journal. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
- "Roll forecast Oldmachar Academy" (PDF). Aberdeen City Council. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
- "Fruit bar kids kill the stodge". Tes. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
- "'Ban rogue chip vans'". Tes. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
- MacLeod, Donald (31 December 2003). "Knighthoods for school and college heads". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
External links
- Oldmachar Academy website
- Oldmachar Academy at Scottish Schools Online