Eastbank Academy

Eastbank Academy is a Scottish secondary school located in the suburb of Shettleston in Glasgow.

History

The school was founded in 1894 originally as a senior secondary or Academy, before the abolition of the two-tier system of junior and senior secondariesTimefact. Today the institution is a non-denominational comprehensive school.

Originally, the grand red sandstone building located on Eastmuir Street (now Shettleston Road) was thought to be "too grand" for the tiny village of Shettleston, which at the time was separate from Glasgow. The roll of the school quickly grew over the years, and required the construction of an annexe building in 1901, which housed primary education until Eastbank Primary School was split off as a separate entity following construction of a new building at Gartocher Road in 1969.

The original 1894 building grew increasingly inadequate over the decades, and fell into a state of serious disrepair. As part of the GEAR (Glasgow Eastern Area Renewal) initiative, a brand new building was constructed and opened in 1986. At the time state-of-the-art, the 1986 Eastbank Academy building was noted for its extensive use of open plan teaching areas for science and practical subjects. The old 1894 building was redeveloped into a home for the new John Wheatley College, whilst the 1901 Annexe building was acquired by Greater Glasgow Health Board.

Consolidation of Glasgow's secondary school portfolio in the late 1990s led to the former John Street secondary being closed, and Eastbank's catchment area increased once again. The 1986 building was once again too small, and required yet another new building which opened in 2002.

Motto

The school's motto is Splendeat Lux, which is thought to be a contraction of the Latin phrase "Splendeat Lux Vestra", taken from the Sermon on the Mount - translating quite literally as "Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works"

Alumni

Famous alumni of Eastbank Academy include:

*Cliff Hanley (broadcaster and lyricist of Scotland's anthem "Scotland the Brave")
*Cameron McKenna (continuity announcer for STV)
*Dr. Ian Jackson (plastic surgeon)
*Woody (stand up comedian)
*Junior Campbell ( lead guitarist, singer and songwriter with the sixties band The Marmalade) (William Campbell), Also known for writing the music for the original Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends television series' and films.
*Barry Wallace (bass player for The Fratellis)

External links

* [http://www.eastbankacademy.org.uk] - Official Site
* [http://www.scottishschoolsonline.gov.uk/schools/eastbankacademyglasgowcity.asp Eastbank Academy's page on Scottish Schools Online]