Knox Academy

Knox Academy is a co-educational state secondary school located in Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland.[2] Originally founded in 1379 as a medieval grammar school, it is one of the oldest schools in the world.[2][4]

For similarly-named institutions, see Knox College. For Knox Academy of Arts and Sciences, see Norman Wallace Lermond.

Knox Academy
Address
Pencaitland Road

Haddington
,
East Lothian
,
EH41 4DT

Scotland
Coordinates55°57′12″N 2°47′14″W
Information
TypeState secondary school
MottoAmbition, Respect, Community[1]
Religious affiliation(s)Non-denominational
Established1379 (1379)
Local authorityEast Lothian Council
Head teacherSusan Cook
GenderMixed
Enrollment761[2] (2017)
Houses  Garleton
  Lammerlaw
  Traprain[3]
Websitewww.ka-net.org.uk

History

The modern school can be traced back to a late medieval grammar school, founded in 1379 in Haddington, East Lothian. It was not until 1879 that it was first dedicated to John Knox, and named the Knox Memorial Institute to mark the construction of a new building designed by John Starforth.[5][6][7] Though it no longer houses the school, this historic structure is now a listed building and remains in private use, located on the same street as the modern Knox Academy.[8]

In 1930, construction began of a replacement campus on the current site, which was further extended in 1960.[6] During this period, the school became known as Knox Academy for the first time. In 2005, a major refurbishment and rebuild of the school was completed.[2]

In June 2012, head teacher Janis Craig retired after fifteen years in the role, and was succeeded by former depute head teacher, Sarah Ingham. During the 2016-17 academic year, Molly Young, a pupil at the school, was injured in an acid attack by Emily Bowen, a pupil in the same year.[9][10] The incident was widely covered in the national press, and following a second violent incident, Ingham undertook a period of extended leave during the 2017-18 academic year.[11][12] During this time, Lauren Rodger, head teacher of North Berwick High School, was seconded to the school as acting headteacher.[13]

Following the subsequent resignation of Ingham in 2018, the current head teacher is Susan Cook, formerly acting head teacher at Trinity Academy, Edinburgh.[14] In 2018, it was announced that an extension of the school would be required by 2024 in order to meet demand from new housing developments in the area.[15]

Cadet Force

Knox Academy was the last state school in Scotland to have a Combined Cadet Force, the Knox CCF. The CCF was disbanded in 2010 due to disagreements between the school and the Ministry of Defence over the storage of weapons on school grounds.[16][17]

Notable alumni

The Grammar School

Knox Academy

References
  1. "School Aims & Values", Knox Academy
  2. "School Info", Knox Academy
  3. "House Points System", Knox Academy
  4. Reminiscences of the royal burgh of Haddington and old East Lothian agriculturists, John Martine, (1883), pp.181-191
  5. "Architect Biography Report", Dictionary of Scottish Architects
  6. "Building/Design Report", Dictionary of Scottish Architects
  7. "Education in East Lothian, Origins", John Gray Centre
  8. "Knox Institute", British Listed Buildings
  9. "Schoolgirl locked up over music room acid attack", BBC News
  10. "Schoolgirl jailed for viola case acid attack on love rival in music room", The Telegraph
  11. "Investigation into attack on girl at Knox Academy", BBC News
  12. "Teenage girl seriously injured in violent attack at Knox Academy in Haddington", East Lothian Courier
  13. "Headteacher of North Berwick High School seconded to Knox Academy, Haddington", East Lothian Courier
  14. "Preferred candidate for Knox Academy headteacher post named", East Lothian Courier
  15. "Extension plans for Knox Academy to cope with new homes", East Lothian Courier
  16. "Scotland's last state school army cadets to hang up their rifles", The Scotsman
  17. "Verbal shots fired in cadet force closure blame game", East Lothian Courier
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