Paisley Grammar School
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| Head Teacher | Ms Caroline Amos |
| Depute Head Teacher | Mrs Allison Dalziel |
| School type | Secondary |
| Associated Primary Schools | Gallowhill, Mossvale, Todholm, Ralston, Williamsburgh |
| Founded | 1586 |
| Location | Glasgow Road, Paisley PA1 3RP |
| Roll | 1,186 |
| School website | http://www.paisley-gs.renfrewshire.sch.uk |
Situated on Glasgow Road, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Paisley Grammar School dates Back from 1586.
Paisley Grammar School has always been highly regarded across Renfrewshire. The school promotes high standards in academic, cultural and community endeavour.
In 1986 when threatened with imminent closure by Strathclyde Regional Council, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher intervened personally to ensure the survival of the historic and popular school. The law was changed so that local councils could no longer close schools which were more than 80% full without approval by the Secretary of State for Scotland. Soon after the council was forced to drop its plans and, in an ironic twist, the same government abolished Strathclyde Regional Council just a few years later.
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[edit] Notable former pupils
Notable former pupils include:
- The current Doctor Who, David Tennant (formerly David MacDonald)
- Journalist and broadcaster Andrew Neil
- Jacqui Lait MP
- Colin Campbell MSP
- Kenyon Wright
- Fred Goodwin – CEO of the Royal Bank of Scotland
- John Macquarrie sometime Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity, University of Oxford, and Canon Residentiary, Christ Church, Oxford
- Omer Hussain International Scottish cricketer
- Ann McKechin MP Glasgow North
[edit] Rectors
There have been many Rectors of this prestigious school over its history, most recently, John Clarke OBE (1937 - 1956), Ninian A. Jamieson (1956 - 1966), Robert Y. Corbett (1966 - 1988), Hugh H Nisbet (1988 - 1995) and John C Pears (1995 - 2006). Hugh Nisbet is also a former pupil of the school. John Pears and Hugh Nisbet are the only two current living former Rectors of the school.
[edit] Senior Management
Caroline Amos, the current Head Teacher has been in post since January 2006. Her immediate Depute, is Allison Dalziel who joined the school in 2002, after a period at the now demolished Merksworth High in Paisley, where she served as Depute Head and Acting Head Teacher respectively. For six months in 2004, Allison Dalziel was Acting Rector of Paisley Grammar in the absence of John Pears who was on secondment. Some say that Paisley Grammar found new strengths under Mrs Dalziel's leadership.
In addition to Caroline Amos and Allison Dalziel, the management team has Dougie Benzie, who teaches Maths as well as being Depute Head with responsibility for administrative matters. That is followed up by Alison Purse (Lower),Bruce Livingston (Middle)and Patricia Gordon (Upper) who are the Heads of School.
[edit] Standards
All through a very popular and successful school, due to age, most classrooms are in various stated of disrepair, causing general discomfort to the students and teachers alike, during Scotlands recent high rainfall, classrooms have had to be shut due to water seeping in.
[edit] Clubs and Societies
The school offers a wide veriety of clubs and activities for the pupils, including:
- Rugby S1&2/S3&4/S5&6
- Prayer Group S1 - S6
- Scripture Union S5&6
- X-Factor S1 - S3
- Creative Writing Club
- Hockey S4 - S6
- Lifelines S1&2
- Quiz Club S1 - S6
- Heartstart S1 - S3
- Puzzle Club S1
- Science Club S1&2
- Basketball S1 - S3
- Fair Trade S1 - S6
- Skiing S1 - S6
- Netball S1&2 S3-S6
- Football (girls) S1 - S6
- Debating Club S3 - S6
- Duke of Edinburgh S3&4
- Football (boys) S1 - S6
- Badminton S1&2
- Girls Running Club
- Choir
- Concert Band
- String Group
- Beat It
- Ceilidh Band
- Jazz Group
- Various Rock Groups
[edit] Uniform
- The School has a strict uniform policy:
- White or light blue blouse or shirt
- School tie
- Navy blue or black skirt
- Black tailored trousers
- Navy blue pullover or v-necked sweatshirt
- Black shoes
- Navy blue blazer with school badge
[edit] Oriflamme
The School's song is Oriflamme and its words are by Alexander Campbell and the music is by Robert Provan. The words, as they appeared in The Grammarian of 1949 are as follows:
The torch of our yesterdays Was kindled by a royal hand. To bear the Oriflamme always, And keep it splendid and ablaze, Was his command.
The torch has ever burned with light Inspiring, down the days of dust. They held it scared in his sight. To pass it on, a beacon bright: It was their trust.
The torch, long borne of storied fame Our eager hands are grasping now. That we shall tend its vital flame In loyal service to his name This be our vow.
[edit] School prayer
The School prayer has the following words:
Almighty Father, Before whom all of us are children, Grant us they blesing on all that we do this day. Help us each to give of our best in work and in play. Strengthen us in discourgement to fresh effort; Save us in success from false pride. Help us to think of others more than of ourselves; To check the unkindly word or thought; To banish the evil Amos from our school To be clean, loyal and true. May we realise early that by thy guidance we can make our lives lovely and find true happiness in doing thy will. Amen.
