Bearsden Academy: A History of Evolution and Architecture
Bearsden Academy has a rich history characterized by growth, relocation, and the repurposing of significant architectural sites. From its early days as a combined primary and secondary institution to its current modern campus, the school has mirrored the expansion of the town of Bearsden and the changing landscape of Scottish education.
The Bearsden Cross Era (1911–1958)
The institution began its journey in 1911 at the corner of Roman Road and Drymen Road, situated north of the Bearsden railway station in the Bearsden Cross area. Originally established as the New Kilpatrick Higher Grade School, the facility served as both a primary and secondary school. The building was the work of the architectural firm James M. Monro & Sons and officially opened its doors on August 17, 1911, under the leadership of the first headmaster, Hugh Primrose.
By 1920, the school was renamed Bearsden Academy. As the town expanded and achieved the status of a burgh, the need for more space became apparent. In 1958, a new secondary school was constructed on Morven Road. Following the move of the academy to this new site, the original Bearsden Cross building was repurposed entirely as Bearsden Primary School.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]The Morven Road Transition (1958–2010)
For over five decades, Bearsden Academy operated from the south side of Morven Road. This period of stability ended in 2010 when the school moved once again. Following the school's departure, the old site was redeveloped between 2009 and 2012 into a residential housing estate known as Academy Grove, consisting of detached homes and flats.
The legacy of the school's leadership is preserved within this development; one of the streets in Academy Grove is named in honor of Norman McLeod, who served as a rector at the academy.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]The Stockiemuir Road Site and Its Complex Legacy
The current home of Bearsden Academy on Stockiemuir Road has a diverse history, having served as a religious seminary and a teacher training college before becoming a secondary school.
St Peter's College
The site was originally established as St Peter's College, a Roman Catholic seminary for the Archdiocese of Glasgow. Founded in Partickhill in 1874 by Archbishop Charles Eyre, the college was moved to Bearsden in 1892. The college chapel initially served as the primary place of worship for the local Catholic community and was later expanded as the population grew following the arrival of the railway.
A catastrophic fire in 1946 razed the college to the ground. Consequently, the archdiocese abandoned the site, moving the seminary to Darleith House and later Kilmahew House in Cardross, until a purpose-built seminary was completed in 1966.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]The Teaching College Era
In 1966, the site was repurposed for teacher education. The firm Gillespie, Kidd & Coia (GKC)—the same architects responsible for St Peter's Seminary in Cardross—designed a U-shaped complex. This facility included two teaching blocks, a physical education building, and five student accommodation buildings. It opened in 1969 as the Notre Dame College of Education.
The institution underwent several administrative changes: it merged with Craiglockhart College in 1981 to become St Andrew's College of Education and later joined the University of Glasgow in 1999 as its Faculty of Education. Despite being designated a category A listed building on March 4, 1998, the college was relocated in 2002.
After the site was declared surplus to the university's requirements, negotiations between Historic Scotland and East Dunbartonshire Council led to the decision to demolish the college buildings to make way for a new school. This project was completed under a public-private partnership, and the new Bearsden Academy opened to students and staff in August 2010.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Founded: 1911 as New Kilpatrick Higher Grade School.
- First Headmaster: Hugh Primrose.
- Architectural Heritage: The Stockiemuir Road site previously housed a GKC-designed teaching college.
- Site Transitions: The school has occupied three distinct sites: Bearsden Cross, Morven Road, and Stockiemuir Road.
- Current Opening: The present campus opened in August 2010.
| Period | Location | Previous/Subsequent Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1911–1958 | Bearsden Cross | Became Bearsden Primary School |
| 1958–2010 | Morven Road | Redeveloped as Academy Grove housing |
| 2010–Present | Stockiemuir Road | Formerly St Peter's College and Notre Dame College |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Bearsden Academy originally called?
The school was originally known as New Kilpatrick Higher Grade School when it opened in 1911.
Who designed the original 1911 school building?
The first building at Bearsden Cross was designed by the architectural firm James M. Monro & Sons.
What happened to the Morven Road site after the school moved?
The site was redeveloped between 2009 and 2012 into a housing estate called Academy Grove, which includes detached and flatted dwellings.
What was the Stockiemuir Road site used for before the academy?
The site served as a Roman Catholic seminary (St Peter's College) and later as a teaching college (Notre Dame College of Education and St Andrew's College of Education) before becoming part of the University of Glasgow.
Why was the teaching college on the current site demolished?
After the University of Glasgow relocated the faculty in 2002, the site was declared surplus. Following negotiations between East Dunbartonshire Council and Historic Scotland, it was decided to demolish the structures to build the new academy.