Continual Improvement
The move to a fully coeducational school
In September 2007, the Edinburgh Academy Junior School opened its doors for the first time to girls. It was indeed a milestone in the Academy’s proud history and I hope that our first ‘pioneers’ will, in the future, feel proud to have been part of that historic moment. It has to be said that there was a degree of fear and trepidation from some quarters about the arrival of ‘the fairer sex’. There was anxiety on the part of some parents, some colleagues and of course the boys themselves. However, I am delighted to say that three years later it is clear that the whole process has gone extremely well; co-education is now firmly established. I have a number of people to thank for its successful implementation, not least those first girls themselves. They took part with enthusiasm in all that was on offer, including the rugby, since in the early days hockey and netball were not yet up and running. The boys too had their part to play. Yes, they had to share their football pitch with the girls and sometimes they felt the ‘girls’ were given special treatment, but very soon they have become accustomed to the inevitable changes — and indeed the only complaint came from the classes without girls: ‘When are we getting girls in our class?’ They clearly felt short-changed! The move to coeducation has enriched our community. With our small classes and the family feel of the school, we are confident that we can give the very best possible start to both boys and girls. |
The new nursery and all weather play area
On Friday, 19 September 2008 the keys to the school’s new £2 million Nursery and After School facility were formally handed over. The modern flexible facility comprises a large ground floor with four classrooms, and a first floor which houses an After School Club for infants and children from the Junior School. The development is complemented by fully landscaped gardens and an external play area. The whole now forms an integral part of the Junior School campus. The all-weather play and games area to the north of the Junior School (2008), the new sixes block (Harvey Building) and the wildlife garden and outdoor classroom yet further enhance the facilities available for both boys and girls during this vital stage in their development and education. This is, all in all, a very exciting time in the Academy’s history and I am very fortunate to be involved in helping to take the school forward. There has been a tremendous amount of support for the changes which have taken place over recent months and years and we feel that we have a modern, vibrant school, which will meet the needs of future generations of young people. We hope our website will encourage you to visit us and see for yourself what personally tailored teaching means. We look forward to meeting you. |
This page is: Edinburgh Academy / junior school / headteacher.htm
