NMR: School1

DUMFRIES ACADEMY
Academy Street
Dumfries DG1 1DD
Scotland
United Kingdom

Tel.: (01387) 252-846
Fax: (01387) 252-846
EDDFSA1@dumgal.gov.uk

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NMR Presentation:
25 August 2000
Two presentations with a total 3 classes attending.

Great Hall meeting with students from civics and social services classes.

Journalism class: students interviewed EBB and then wrote article for local paper.

School Information:
900+ students
101 teachers and support staff
First - Sixth Year Academic Program

School Contacts:
Charles McAteer
THE RECTOR
CharlesM@dumgal.gov.uk

Kenneth Glendye
DEPUTY RECTOR

G.I. Ross
M.K. Findlater
F. Burns
ASSISTANT RECTORS

Howard Kelly
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT HEAD
HJCKelly@aol.com (Contact Teacher)

MR. KELLY'S JOURNALISM CLASS

TRUSTY AIDES
CARRY PAN TO THE GREAT HALL

History of Dunfries Academy

Dumfries Academy has a long and distinguished history. It has existed in its present form, though not in its present buildings, since 1804, the year before the Battle of Trafalgar, and indeed has its roots five centuries before that. The Burgh Exchequer Rolls mention a Rector called "Master John" appointed to the school in the year 1330, which makes the school not only the earliest in the area but one of the earliest in Scotland.

Dumfries Academy was a church school and would have concentrated on the study of Latin and religious texts. Over the centuries, other schools teaching mathematics, writing, English, needlework and baking were built, mostly centered on the old High Street and these were eventually joined into one in the Old Building of the Academy. The old building was demolished in 1889 and the existing Minerva Building on Academy Street was constructed to take its place.

Today, Dumfries Academy is a six-year comprehensive school serving part of the Burgh of Dumfries and two rural communities.

MINERVA BUILDING

Dumfries Academy is steeped in a tradition which all, students, teachers and staff, seem to value. The school tradition is one of belief in excellence and the highest expectations for all students.

In a recent Regional Inspection, the concluding summary was:

The school has an energetic and committed Management Team and a caring, conscientious and committed staff who display a commendable loyalty to the pupils, the school and its aims, as well as goodwill and enthusiasm for involvement in the corporate life of the school.... There is a positive and purposeful ethos within the school with the staff having high expectations of their pupils. Teaching is sound and effective and this is born out by achievements in national examinations.

STUDENTS AND TEACHERS
WORKING TOGETHER

School Aim
To work together with parents and pupils to give children the best possible education.
The school aims to develop each pupil's talents to the full in an atmosphere of mutual respect. The school not only seeks to provide staff, facilities and equipment, but to create a sense of belonging to a community in which the rights and beliefs of each member are respected.

Role of School Staff
Teaching staff should aim:

to provide appropriate learning experiences

to establish an effective teaching environment

to respect pupils as individuals

to use the established discipline procedures fairly

to communicate with parents

to attend in-service training for institutional, curricular and personal development

to assess and contribute towards meeting pastoral needs of pupils in cooperation with parents

Staff should expect:

to be free to use a variety of teaching styles

to have access to a clean and safe environment

to have appropriate and adequate materials, supplies and equipment

to be offered in-service training for new courses and new developments

to be supported by parents and colleagues

to be shown courtesy

Role of Pupils
Pupils should aim:

to do their best

to develop good work habits

to be reliable in carrying information between home and school

to be punctual in attendance

to be dressed appropriately, in school uniform

to be well rested and attentive

to complete assignments and homework on time

to exercise self-discipline

to ask for help when necessary

to show respect for the property of others and the environment

to follow the school rules

to be properly equipped for school day

to show courtesy to all staff and treat other pupils with consideration.

Pupils should expect:

to learn, through a balanced curriculum which provides personal development

to be respected as individuals with different abilities, interests and backgrounds

to be advised by guidance teachers

to be provided with access to modern technology

to be given positive feedback and constructive critism

to be treated with fairness and discretion

EDUCATION FOR LIFE
Education is much more than the courses which are studied in various classrooms, much more than success in examinations. All sorts of things in the life of our school have an influence on the development of our pupils. Add them all up and we have a process called "the school experience". We firmly believe that we have a responsibility to educate the whole person and to this end we offer a wide range of experiences "beyond the classroom".
we have a wide range of extra curricular activities and sports clubs programmes. Dumfries Academy currently can claim 4 Scottish champions at badminton, a Scottish champion team at golf and Scottish champions at rowing.
we have a huge range of school trips to all corners of the world, including: a British first to Bulgaria, history students to Italy, ski trips to Italt and Austria, geography trips to Holland, class trips to Euro-Disney, art colleges, universities, theaters, and weekend history field trips.
we have exchange schools in Bully-les-Mines, France and Bad Sachsa, Germany.
we have and extensive music programme: besides the variety of musical activites which take place within the department, the facilities are available to pupils who would like to practice, play individually or in a group. Interest in music, and drama, is supported with trips to local and national theatres, concerts and competitions.
we boast our own disco outfit - discos are a regular feature of our school calendar.

finally, we appreciate that our school is not an island. We are part of our local community and we encourage our youngsters to share the concerns of the community and indeed of the wider world. Fund raising is, of course, carried out for our own school funds, but considerable emphasis is given to the needs of others.