Hillpark Secondary School

Infobox_School2 | name = Hillpark Secondary School


motto = "Integer Vitae"
address = 36 Cairngorm Road
Glasgow, G43, Scotland
established = 1967| type = State Funded
head_name = Head Teacher
head = Joan Donnely
enrolment = ~1300
mascot = None
free_label = Colors
free = Black and Grey
city = Glasgow
state = Lanarkshire
country = Scotland
website = http://www.hillpark-sec.glasgow.sch.uk/ School Website

Hillpark Secondary School (more commonly known as Hillpark) is a secondary school in the south side of Glasgow. The current school roll is around 1300 pupils and 80 teachers. The school was established in 1967.

Courses

When pupils come to Hillpark in 1st year, they are assigned a timetable consisting of sixteen different courses which they will attend throughout the week. These courses are compulsory during their first and second year and are designed to give pupils a taste of what each course is like for when they come to make their Standard Grade subject choices at the end of second year. However, certain courses remain compulsory in Standard Grade such as English and Maths. Pupils must also pick a language to study, a social subject (e.g. Modern Studies, Geography or History) and a practical subject (e.g. Drama, Art or Technical). In total pupils must pick eight Standard Grade courses, which they will study at either 'Credit', 'General' or 'Foundation' level for two years. At the end of their fourth year, in May, pupils will be examined by the SQA and awarded with a certificate in August acknowledging that they have passed the course (or failed it).

At the age of sixteen, pupils are allowed to leave school. Those who stay on for a fifth year will pick five subjects to study for that session at either 'Higher', 'Intermediate 1' or 'Intermediate 2' level. No subject is cumpulsory in fifth year and many new courses are offered to pupils at this stage that aren't on offer to younger pupils, such as Media and Hospitality. Like Standard Grade, pupils are examined in May and awarded with a certificate in August. Those who pass at Higher level may attempt an Advanced Higher course in six year if they wish. Advanced Higher courses are comparable in difficulty to work studied by students in their first year of university.

Pupils at Hillpark Secondary study the following cources:

Accommodation

In 2004, £1,000,000 was spent refurbishing and modernising Hillpark. This money went towards improving the facilities already available as well as adding new facilities to improve the standard of education available.

ports facilities

At present, the school has two red-ash football pitches and one red-ash hockey field, an indoor swimming pool, two gymnasia, a games hall and a fitness suite, all housed in the P.E. department. Pupils get the opportunity to use these facilities during physical education classes and through the various sports clubs.

Computing and IT

Hillpark Secondary contains nine fully equipped computer suites – four in Business Studies, four in Computing Studies, one in Technical and the Internet Suite/Learning Centre in the school Library. In 2005, the school also purchased six plasma screen TV's which are situated in the dining center and assenbly hall. They display important announcements relating to school clubs and reward activities such as disco's and trips. In addition, each classroom contains at least one computer and a smart board.

Art

There are three specialized art studios in Hillpark. In addition to art classes, pupils are given the opportunity to use these at lunchtimes and on a Wednesday afternoon (seniors only).

Home Ecomonics

Hillpark's Home Economics department contains two fully eqipped kitchens and sewing rooms.

cience

Hillpark Secondary's nine laboratory rooms are equipped with a variety of equipment necessary for the experiments pupils are asked to conduct. Assisting the science department is a team of three technicians who provide the chemicals and delicate equipment which isn't stored in the class rooms. Each room also has access to gas.

Pastoral Care

Hillpark pupils are split into five house groups: Cairngorm, Lomond, Nevis, Pentland and Torridon. Each house group is assigned a Pastoral Care teacher, a member of staff who's job is it to look after the wellbeing of the pupil during their time at Hillpark. In addition, the Pastoral Care teacher also assists the pupil when making subject choices and with any family/out-of-school problems. Pupils get the opportunity to meet with their pastotral care teacher in Social Education and during their own time at break or lunchtime, when the teacher will most likely be in the Pastoral Care base. In some terrible cases, the pastoral care hear about children that cut themselves.

chool Clubs

Hillpark Secondary currently runs a variety of Clubs. These take place during or after school hours, or in some cases at the weekend.

The school's senior football team, managed by teachers Gordon Moulsdale and William Todd, won 4 consecutive Glasgow Championships. The 4th year football team got to the semi final of the Scottish Cup in 2007.

The table below lists all the Clubs run by Hillpark Secondary.

Awards

In 2005/06 the school was awarded the Glasgow Sports School of the Year prize. The school has the highest number of pupils sitting credit level P.E at standard grade in Glasgow.

External links

* [http://www.hillpark-sec.glasgow.sch.uk/(emlxe555v2nfds2hki3j3s55)/default.aspx Hillpark Secondary School official website]
* [http://www.scottishschoolsonline.gov.uk/schools/hillparksecondaryschoolglasgowcity.asp Hillpark Secondary School's page on Scottish Schools Online]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/education/02/league_tables/scotland/schools/ea_16/html/8434336.stm Hillpark League Tables (2002)]