Balerno Community High School

Balerno High School is a six-year secondary school located in Balerno, a suburb of Edinburgh, Scotland. The school stands on the banks of the Water of Leith, and serves children from Balerno, Kirknewton and Ratho, and also hosts pupils from a variety of areas outside the catchment area such as Currie, East Calder, Mid Calder, Edinburgh and Livingston. It also is the Heart Of Midlothian FC academy school.

1. Headteacher and SMT

The head teacher is Roslyn Ranger. She is assisted by her management team which consists of deputy heads Calum Blair and Maree Anderson.

1. History

The first record of a school in Balerno refers to one set up in 1814. Its purpose was to teach English. There were 75 pupils and the teacher was paid £25 per year. In 1872 elementary education became compulsory and a new school was needed. In 1877 what is currently the Dean Park Primary School 'annexe' became Dean Park Primary School itself (the school has since moved to a different site in Balerno) and the red brick building, now Jigsaw Nursery School, was the teacher's house. Balerno was also served by St Mungo's Episcopal School. Until the 1970s, secondary education involved Balerno, Ratho and Kirknewton children travelling long distances. With the rapid population growth in the Balerno area (1000 people in 1960, 15,000 in 1995), plans were drawn up for a £4,600,000 community school and builders prepared to go on site in April 1980. The Edinburgh Evening News reported a "shock rethink" as late as January 1980 which would "examine the consequences of not proceeding with the project". The Council even considered the feasibility of expanding places at nearby Currie and Firrhill High Schools. Balerno Community High School was opened to pupils from first to third years in August 1983. The school has since expanded to accommodate first to sixth year pupils.

1. Famous people


1. = Notable alumni =

Craig Gordon - Scottish footballer (goalkeeper) Boards of Canada - brothers Michael and Marcus Sandison, musicians Eunice Olumide - model and performer Michael Deacon (journalist) - political sketch writer, Daily Telegraph Nina Nesbitt - singer Mike McKenzie (singer/songwriter) - singer / songwriter

1. = Teachers =

JJ Chalmers - Scottish television presenter and Invictus Games medallist

1. References


1. Bibliography

"Balerno High School history". Archived from the original on 4 September 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2011.

1. External links

Official website

Nearby Places View Menu

Water of Leith Walkway

The Water of Leith Walkway is a public footpath and cycleway that runs alongside the river of the same name through Edinburgh, Scotland, from Balerno to Leith.

Hiking Park

Balerno

Balerno () is a village on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Scotland situated 8 miles (13 kilometres) south-west of the city centre, next to Currie and then Juniper Green. Traditionally in the county of Midlothian it now administratively falls within the jurisdiction of the City of Edinburgh Council. The village lies at the confluence of the Water of Leith and the Bavelaw Burn. In the 18th and 19th century, the area was home to several mills using waterpower. In the 2Oth century, the mills closed and the village now forms a residential suburb of Edinburgh,

Landmark Neighbourhood

Malleny House and Garden

The Malleny House and Garden is an historic house and garden owned by the National Trust for Scotland in Balerno, 6 mi (9.7 km) southwest of Edinburgh. The gardens are notable for its large yew trees, as well as one of the largest rose collections in Scotland. According to Historic Environment Scotland, Malleny is noted for its outstanding architectural and horticultural value including its national collection of heritage shrub roses. The house, gardens and adjoining estate buildings are Category A listed.

Historic Site Landmark

Balerno railway station

Balerno railway station was opened in 1874 and served the area of the village of Balerno that now forms part of the city of Edinburgh. Although primarily built as a goods line, with a dedicated goods station at Balerno, serving the many mills on the Water of Leith, a passenger service was provided by the Caledonian Railway using the Balerno Loop and after grouping by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, seeing formal closure to passenger traffic shortly after nationalisation. The station was the only one with a separately served goods station on the 'loop' line and lay in rural surroundings that had been popular with families having a day out in the country.

Train