Vale of Leven Academy

school in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, UK

Vale of Leven Academy is a secondary school in Alexandria, Scotland.[1]

Vale of Leven Academy
Address
Map
Main Street

Alexandria
,
West Dunbartonshire
,
G83 0BH

Information
TypeSecondary
Established1884
Local authorityWest Dunbartonshire Council
Head TeacherMatthew Boyle
Staff150
GenderMixed
Age11 to 18
Enrolment987
Capacity1100
HousesArden

Cameron Lennox

Fruin
Colour(s)Maroon and Silver    
Websitehttp://valeoflevenacademy.net

History

change

The school opened in 1884, as North Public School. It became a secondary school in 1909. In 1962 it moved to it's current location.[2] The school is located in the south of Alexandria.

A new extension to the building was built in 1973 because the school was overcrowded.

In 1996 the school was used for scenes in a Scottish television show called Take the High Road.

On Saturday, 22nd June 2002, the extension to the school was set on fire and was destroyed.[3] Classes were taught in temporary huts after the fire.

A new building was constructed in 2009 and the original building was demolished.[4]

A bomb was brought in by a pupil in 2011 as part of a history project. The school was evacuated. The Royal Naval Bomb Disposal Squad removed the bomb and it was safely blown up.

In September 2018, the school was evacuated because of a fire started by a pupil in the toilets. There was not a lot of damage and the school reopened the next day.

Head Teachers

change

Head teachers include:

  • Alex Rannie (c. 1965-74)
  • Tom Murray (1974 - c. 1980)
  • Duncan Penny
  • Angus McDonald
  • Terry Lanagan
  • Catriona Robertson (2009-16)
  • Paul Darroch (2016-17)
  • Matthew Boyle (2017 - present)

Notable Students

change


  • David Currie - TV Presenter
  • Peter Haining - Rower
  • Bobby Kerr - Footballer
  • Ian McColl - Footballer
  • Sharleen Spiteri - Lead singer of band, Texas
  • Stuart David - co-founder of the bands Belle and Sebastian and Looper
  • Kelly Ann Woodland - STV News Presenter
  • Lynn Faulds Wood - TV Presenter

Images

change

References

change
  1. "Vale of Leven Academy". www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
  2. "Alexandria in Vale of Leven history 3". www.valeofleven.org.uk. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
  3. "Head's sadness as school burns". 2002-06-22. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
  4. "West Dunbartonshire Schools | BAM PPP". www.bamppp.com. Retrieved 2020-09-17.[permanent dead link]