Wallace Hall Academy

Infobox scottish primary, secondary and nursery school
name= Wallace Hall Academy


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caption= Wallace Hall Academy
headteacher= Mr Barry Graham
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type= Comprehensive School
educational authority= Dumfries and Galloway
location= Station Road, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire, DG3 5DS
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age range= 11-18
years taught= S1-S6
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secondary years taught=
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number of pupils= 580 (approx)
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website= [http://www.wallacehallacademy.com www.wallacehallacademy.com]
footnotes=Wallace Hall Academy is a secondary school located in Thornhill, Dumfries in the South West of Scotland, currently with a roll of over 580 pupils aged from 11 to 18. In 2005 it was awarded the Schools of Ambition award. In 2007 Wallace Hall was ranked as being the 5^th top state school in Scotland with 52% of S5 students passing 3 or more Highers

History

Until the early seventies there were two local secondary schools - the six year Wallace Hall Academy at Closeburn and the four-year Morton Academy at Thornhill. In 1972 the two schools amalgamated and the new school situated at Thornhill took the name of the former Senior Secondary School at Closeburn.

The original Wallace Hall was founded by John Wallace, a merchant in Glasgow and a native of Closeburn who left £1,600 for the purpose of erecting the Academy in 1723.

The two buildings of Morton Academy dated 1865 and 1909 now house the Primary School, and the extension of 1958 is incorporated in the Academy. Prior to amalgamation an extensive building programme was started in 1970 and finally completed in 1978. The Authority’s Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative will deliver much improved accommodation in the next 4 or 5 years. At the moment there is ample accommodation to serve the present 500+ pupils. The Primary Department was established as a separate school in 1983.

New School

As Part of Dumfries & Galloway's £100 million project to build nine new schools within Dumfries and Galloway, a new Wallace Hall Academy is currently being built. The construction of the new school started on January 16th 2008 and completion is currently estimated within approximately two years from this date. The new Wallace Hall will be designed to meet the highest standards and provide bright modern facilities which provide a positive learning environment with the following accommodation:

Secondary School

General class bases, Science bases, Music rooms, practice room, recording studio,ICT bases,Technical bases (craft & non-craft), Home economics bases, Art base with kiln, Drama studio, Assembly/Social Space, Video conference suite, Pupil support centre, medical suite, Library resource centre, Gym & fitness room and Admin & staff areas

Shared with primary school Games hall and Dining hall & kitchen

Primary School

7 General class bases, Assembly Hall/Gym, Library, GP room, medical & visiting services facilities andAdmin & staff areas

Outdoor sports requirements

The new schools will be able to provide upgraded outdoor sports provision which will benefit from better drainage and direct access to changing facilities. The outdoor and indoor facilities will be accessible to the general public during community hours. Dumfries & Galloway Education & Community Services Department ideally require the following outdoor sports provision as part of the new school project:

2 grass pitches 1 half size all weather pitch (4 tennis courts) Primary school equipped play area

In addition, SportScotland have indicated a preference to retain a substantial area of open space at the rear of the site to accommodate pitches. The multi-sport area and use of part of the car park are leased on a long term basis to the Thornhill Sports Development Consortium and were assisted with funding from a variety of sources. This provision will be continued as part of the new schools project.

Transport requirements

The following transport requirements have been notified by Strategic Transportation, Dumfries & Galloway:

11 bus drop off bays 2 mini-bus drop off bays 10 car drop off bays 94 staff parking spaces

In addition mobility impaired parking spaces and delivery areas need to be provided near to the school. Safe routes to school for walking & cycling will be discussed as part of the planning application process with Dumfries & Galloway Council.

External links

* [http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/scottishschoolsonline/schools/wallacehallacademydumfriesgalloway.asp Wallace Hall Academy's page on Scottish Schools Online]
* [http://www.wallacehallacademy.com/ Official website]