Hamilton School

Infobox scottish primary, secondary and nursery school
name = The Hamilton School


motto =
founded = 1975
type = Independent
principal = Mrs Kathlyn Taylor
location = 55-57 Queens Road, Aberdeen AB15 4YP, Scotland, United Kingdom
coordinates = coord|57|8|27|N|2|8|10|W
number of pupils = approx 300
age range= 3 months to 12 years
website = [http://www.thehamilton.aberdeen.sch.uk www.thehamilton.aberdeen.sch.uk]

The Hamilton is an Independent Day School in Aberdeen presently offering Education to pupils from three months to twelve years. The Hamilton School is Scotland’s only privately owned independent day school. The Primary School is accommodated in two restored Victorian villas, while the Early Years Department is housed in a new custom designed building.

Curriculum

The early curriculum is based upon the Montessori Philosophy which values the growth of skill and independence in each individual, socially, physically and intellectually. Throughout the school a structured approach is taken to learning and the highest of standards are expected within a challenging and stimulating environment.

History

The Hamilton School was founded by Mrs Kathlyn Taylor on the 5th July, 1975. At that time, the school was situated in Hamilton Place, in the West End of Aberdeen and offered Pre-school education to twenty-five pupils.

The achievement of the pupils, combined with parental pressure, led to the establishment of The Hamilton Independent Primary School in 1985, when substantial new surroundings were acquired at 84, Queens Road. During the following ten years, the developing Reception and Primary School Departments grew to educate pupils through to the age of twelve years. Since 1992, younger brothers and sisters under the age of two years have been cared for in their own very specialised nursery.

Today, The Hamilton School pupil roll is over three hundred and the school has recently opened a purpose built, environmentally friendly building for the Early Years pupils.

House System

When a pupil joins Primary School, he/she and any siblings are assigned to a School House. The four Houses are named after Scottish Hills and points are awarded to pupils for courtesy, care, achievement, kindness, effort and success in the arts or sport. Pupils discuss citizenship in House groups where children of all ages can address any news or school issues.

The four houses are:
* Grampians
* Cuillins
* Pentlands
* Ochils

School Facilities

The school facilities are available to all pupils, with areas such as Library, Art Room, Science Laboratory, Language Laboratory, Computer Room, Assembly Room and All-weather Pitch. There is an extensive array of outdoor play equipment all built upon a safety surface to ensure that safe but challenging play areas are being utilised by all. However it is the policy of this school not to let pupils use the equipment regulary in order to preserve it.

The school regularly uses the local Games fields, which are a few minutes walk from the school.

Games and Sports

From Reception onwards, pupils benefit from regular swimming and gymnastics, as well as winter football and rugby, and summer athletics and rounders. Throughout the year the three soccer teams play each Saturday in an inter-school league and the school regularly enters other large events such as athletics events.

The Hamilton Swimming Gala is held at the end of the Spring Term and the Sports Days at the end of Summer Term. Children from Pre-school upwards are involved in these events.

Music

The Hamilton School's pupils are taught singing and rhythm throughout the school, leading on to the theory of music. The recorder is taught to pupils from Reception upwards. Each year the school choir and individual pupils enter the Aberdeen Speech and Music Festival.

The school provides private tuition on Piano, Violin, Voice, Keyboard and Brass. Pupils are presented for National Examinations.

External links

* [http://www.thehamilton.aberdeen.sch.uk/ The Hamilton School Website]
* [http://www.hmie.gov.uk/documents/inspection/5282527HamiltonSchool.pdf HMIE Inspection Report 2005]
* [http://www.carecommission.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=312&Itemid=198&bereNextPageId=ReportDataDetails_action.php&action=displayReport&repId=CS2003015204 Care Commission Inspection Reports]
* [http://www.scottishschoolsonline.gov.uk/schools/hamiltonschooltheaberdeencity.asp The Hamilton School's page on Scottish Schools Online]
* [http://www.schoolsnet.com/uk-schools/school-details-reviews/aberdeen/the-hamilton-school/16180339/0/193066.html The Hamilton School at schoolsnet.com]
* [http://www.scis.org.uk/schools/details/28/The-Hamilton-School Scottish Council of Independent Schools]