Highland Council

Schools by region A-Z

Alness Academy

Alness, Ross-shire, IV17 OUY

Tel: [phone]

E: [email protected]

W: www.alness.highland.sch.uk

Head: Kenneth MacIver

Roll: 516

Motto: Caring for All

Free school meals: 13.2pc

Unauthorised absence: 1.1pc

Charleston Academy

Kinmylies, Inverness IV3 8ET

Tel: [phone]

E: [email protected]

W: www.charleston.highland.sch.uk

Head: Calum MacSween

Roll: 862

Free school meals: 6.9 per cent

Unauthorised absence: 0.2 pc

Extra-curricular activities: Wide range of sports, drama, musical. Scripture Union, chess, Duke of Edinburgh and so on.

Dress Code: Black/white with sky blue alternative

Community links: Integrated community facility and Highland Football Academy on campus

Vocational education:Rural skills courses developing.

Qualities: Successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors

Culloden Academy

Keppoch Road, Culloden, Inverness-shire IV2 7JZ

Tel: [phone]

E: [email protected]

W: www.culloden.highland.sch.uk

Head: Stephen Dowds

Roll: 1030

Motto: Going for Gold

Free school meals: 9.4 per cent

Unauthorised absence: 1 per cent

Dingwall Academy

Dingwall, IV15 9LT

Tel: [phone]

E: [email protected]

Head:Graham Mackenzie

Roll: 1,009

Motto: Salve Corona (Hail the Crown)

Free meals: 9.1 per cent

Unauthorised absence: 3.1 per cent

Dornoch Academy

Evelix Road, Dornoch, IV25 3HR

Tel: [phone]

E: [email protected]

Head: John H Garvie

Roll: 261

Motto: Le Ionracas 's Dchioll (With Integrity and Industry)

Free school meals: 9.5 per cent

Unauthorised absence: 0.2 pc

Extra-curricular activities: Duke of Edinburgh Award, wide range of sports include angling and fly-tying, pipe band, choir, music ensemble, drama, Young Engineers, debating, computing, outings, fundraising.

Uniform/dress code: Black blazer and badge, black trousers/skirt, white shirt/blouse, tie, black shoes.

Community links: North Highland College/UHI, Dornoch Area Community Interest Company, all local community councils, Royal Dornoch Golf Club, Dornoch Cathedral and Free Church, Sutherland Partnership, Sutherland Youth Forum and Youth Bank.

Vocational education:Work Experience in S4 and a programme of Careers Education from S1 to S4/5/6. Senior pupils may opt for a full vocational programme in any year from S4 to S6 with one-third core subjects in school and two-thirds vocational assignments (one day at FE college, one day of work experience and two mornings of SQA Skills for Work courses).

Qualities: We hope they will lead successful, fulfilled lives as self-confident adults and life-long learners, who contribute effectively in their work and communities, respecting others, living responsibly and caring for their environment.

Famous ex-pupils:John Murray (1898-1975, theologian); James Smith (Chairman of Shell UK); David Bell, Professor of Economics.

Farr High

Bettyhill, by Thurso, KW14 7SS

Tel: [phone]

E: [email protected]

Head: Jim A Johnston

Roll: 88

Motto: To go the extra mile.

Unauthorised absence: n/a

Free school meals: 9.1 per cent

Fortrose Academy

Academy St, Fortrose, IV10 8TW

Tel: [phone]

W: [email protected]

Head: Douglas Simpson

Roll: 729

Motto: Strive for Excellence and have fun doing it!

Free school meals: 8.5 per cent

Unauthorised absence: 0.6 pc

Extra-curricular activities: Archery, basketball, badminton, hockey, indoor football, rugby, woodwind, drumming/rock bands, orchestra, Scripture Union, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise, Unicycling.

Uniform/dress code: Black and white colour code.

Community links: Very many through Young Enterprise, European Business Game, Malawi and other International exchanges

Vocational education: S4 do work experience; range of opportunities through Inverness College

Qualities: Respect, integrity and enthusiasm

Gairloch High School

Achtercairn, Gairloch, IV21 2BP

Tel: [phone]

E: [email protected]

W: www.gairlochhigh.highland.sch.uk

Head: John Port

Roll: 187

Motto: Honest endeavour

Free school meals: 10.2 per cent

Unauthorised absence: 0.5 pc

Extra-curricular activities: Music, basketball, rugby, dodgeball, hockey, football, kayaking, orienteering, badminton, indoor rowing. Chess, book club, eco group, school shows and foreign trips. Duke of Edinburgh Award, lunchtime board games and Wii. Fairtrade.

Uniform/dress code: Dark trousers/ skirt, white shirt with school tie and dark shoes. Blazer optional.

Community links: Environmental projects with SNH, Wester Ross Fisheries, Forestry Commission and National Trust Scotland focused on outdoor centre at Slattadale. Support from business on enterprise projects S1 onwards, interview skills training for senior pupils.

Vocational education: Outdoor education courses from S3 upwards, Community sports leadership awards in S1,5 & 6. Developing links with local businesses in tourism and leisure via Celtic Fringe.

Qualities: The ability to be flexible, resilient, enterprising and successful in whatever they attempt to do.

Glen Urquhart High

Drumnadrochit, IV63 6XA

Tel: [phone]

E: [email protected]

Head: Gavin MacLean

Roll: 235

Unauthorised absence: 0.4 pc

Free school meals: 6.5 per cent

Extra-curricular activities: Shinty, football, basketball, skiing, volleyball, archery, table tennis, trampolining, orchestra, choir, quiz teams, school productions, clubs in drama, science and art.

Uniform/dress code: Black/Red - consultation underway

Community links: Active Parent Council; strong links with voluntary sector and community agencies.

Vocational education: School work experience programme in S4 & S5-6. Pupils also complete Junior Sports Leader awards, John Muir Trust Award and can do various coaching/work-related qualifications. Rural skills and construction skills are options for S3/4.

Qualities: Lifelong learning, responsibility, respect, community and national values of wisdom, integrity, justice and compassion.

Famous ex-pupils: Andrew Sutherland, Vice-Pres, Technology Oracle EMEA; Dr Alasdair Skelton, Geologist; Michael Fraser, footballer

Golspie High

Main Street, Golspie, KW10 6RF

Tel: [phone]

E: [email protected]

Head: William B Irwin

Roll: 350

Free meals: 12.3 per cent

Unauthorised absence: 0.9 pc

Motto: Mar bu dual (Building on tradition)

Extra-curricular activities: Many sports (including golf and curling), Duke of Edinburgh Award, musical activities include Sutherland Schools Pipe Band, enterprise, games group.

Uniform/dress code: White shirt/blouse and tie OR school sweatshirt; black trousers/skirt.

Community links: Facilities for the general public including lounge and cinema equipment.

Vocational education: Skills for Work courses delivered in-house and by day release.

Qualities: A sense of respect for self and others and a desire to be the best they can be in all they undertake.

Famous ex-pupils: Russell Devine, Scottish champion hammer thrower and Commonwealth bronze medal winner; James Yule, actor; Kathleen Beedles, producer of Emmerdale.

Grantown Grammar

Cromdale Rd Grantown on Spey PH26 3HU

Tel: [phone]

Email: [email protected]

W: www.ggschool.com

Head: Irene Carson

Roll: 380

Motto: Age pro viribus (Act according to your strengths)

Free school meals: 8 per cent

Unauthorised absence: 1.4 per cent

Extra-curricular activities:

Music – jazz, traditional and pipe bands and choirs; sport - rugby, basketball, badminton, swimming, football, dance, gymnastics, athletics, outdoor education opportunities – orienteering, hillwalking, kayaking, skiing. Many pupils work towards John Muir and Duke of Edinburgh Awards; drama, with regular school productions following upgrade of school stage. Other clubs include chess, art and Mandarin

Uniform/ dress code: Dress code which is well adhered to by pupils.

Community links: Recently-opened Craig MacLean Leisure Centre is a shared school/community facility and has enhanced sporting links. Link with a school in China and developing link with a school in Malawi.

Vocational education: School works in partnership with Careers Scotland, Inverness College, employers and Craig MacLean Leisure Centre to provide opportunities including an extensive Careers Education Programme, work experience, Vocational Pathways, Skills for Work Courses in hospitality, construction/ engineering and sport /recreation.

Qualities: Respect for self, others and the environment; independence, confidence and an appreciation of the value of life long learning.

Famous ex-pupils: Craig MacLean, cyclist – Commonwealth gold medal winner; Ewan Robertson, 2008 BBC Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year; Fraser Stone, drummer – Old Blind Dogs; Findlay Napier, singer-songwriter; Hamish Napier, jazz pianist.

Invergordon Academy

Academy Rd, Invergordon, IV180LD

Tel: [phone]

E: [email protected]

W: www.InvergordonAcademy.com

Head: James Steven

Roll: 453

Free school meals: 16.4 per cent

Unauthorised absence: 0.8 pc

Inverness High

Montague Row, Inverness, IV3 5DZ

Tel: [phone]

E: [email protected]

W: www.inverness.highland.sch.uk

Head: Ritchie Cunningham

Roll: 463

Motto: Endeavour with concord

Free school meals: 28 per cent

Unauthorised absence: 2.9 per cent

Extra-curricular activities: shinty, football, basketball, cricket, running. swimming. Drama and musical activities, some in conjunction with Eden Court Theatre. All S1 take part in a summer activity programme.

Uniform/dress code: Black and white dress code with school logo.

Community links: Inverness High is unique among secondary schools as it has a linked Community Interest Company (CIC) and Charity. These help the school develop community links. Our CIC runs an organic farm and a retailing off-shoot.

Vocational education: Inverness High was one of the first schools to develop vocational education in conjunction with a local college.We have a range of vocational courses and have developed two Skills for Work courses,Engineering Skills and Rural Skills, using the organic farm.

Qualities: Self-reliance and care for our fellow citizens.

Famous ex-pupils: Ali Smith and Alex Mabon, authors; Matthew Zajec, actor/director.

Inverness Royal Academy

Culduthel Road, Inverness, IV2 6RE

Tel: [phone]

E: [email protected]

W: www.invernessroyal.highland.sch.uk

Head: John Considine

Roll: 924

Motto: Labore et virtute (Work and excellence)

Free meals: 7.6 per cent

Unauthorised absence: 2.8 pc

Kilchuimen Academy

Station Road, Fort Augustus, PH32 4DL

Tel: [phone]

E: [email protected]

Web: www.kilchuimenacademy.highland.sch.uk

Head: Maria F. Gibbons

Roll: 78

Motto: Every individual counts

Free school meals: 7.6 per cent

Unauthorised absence: 0.5 pc

Kingussie High School

Ruthven Road, Kingussie, PH21 1ES

Tel: [phone]

E: [email protected]

W: www.kingussiehigh.highland.sch.uk

Head:John Tracey

Roll: 404

Motto: Gu dichiollach, with diligence

Free school meals: 4.5pc

Unauthorised absence:1.2pc

Extra-curricular activities: Sports include shinty, football, hockey, rugby. Duke of Edinburgh Award, wind band, folk music and film club.

Uniform/dress code: Agreed school dress expected to be worn

Community links: Varied. Close link with local restaurant and film-maker which has led, among other things, to the Kingussie Food on Film Festival (www.kfff.co.uk). Close links with SNH, Cairngorm National Park and Forestry Commission supporting various initiatives in the outdoors.

Qualities: We strive to prepare our pupils to be active global citizens, both in school and beyond.

Kinlochbervie High

Kinlochbervie, by Lairg, IV27 4RG

Tel: [phone]

E: [email protected]

W: www.kinlochbervie high.highland.sch.uk/

Head: Dr Ian Smith

Roll: 67

Free school meals: 7.5pc

Unauthorised absence: 0.4 pc

Extra-curricular activities: Limited because pupils cannot get home – no public transport in this very remote area. Despite the problems there are sports such as shinty, football and basketball plus a music group called A Corra Glas. We go on many long-distance trips and support Scotland at all their home internationals.

Uniform/dress code: Burgundy sweatshirt (dark blue in S6), white polo shirt, black trousers/skirt

Community links: Informal links with business and local groups.

Vocational education: Rural Skills, PC Passport, Practical Craft Skills, Travel & Tourism and Institute of Banking exams are examples of expanding provision, excellent when sparse population and rural nature of catchment area considered.

Qualities: Make sure you have done as much as you can to give yourself as many choices as possible.

Famous ex-pupils: None yet!

Kinlochleven High

Fort William Rd, Kinlochleven, PH50 4QE

Tel: [phone]

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.kinlochlevenhigh.highland.sch.uk

Acting Head: John McGilp

Roll: 119

Motto: Opportunity for All

Free school meals: 16.9 per cent

Unauthorised absence: 0.5 pc

Uniform/dress code: Black V-neck jumper with school badge, black trousers, white shirt and school tie.

Extra-curricular activities: Football, shinty, basketball, dance, acting, hill running

Community links: New community school being built to open in August.

Vocational education: Skills for Work courses in sport & recreation, rural skills, construction, cookery, hospitality, hairdressing, childcare.

Qualities: To be confident, upright, go-getting young adults.

Famous ex-pupils:Paul Wilson (Snow Patrol), John MacDonald & John MacLeod (Camanachd Cup Winners and shinty internationals.

Lochaber High

Fort William, PH33 7ND

Tel: [phone]

E: [email protected]

Head: Jim Sutherland

Roll: 904

Free school meals: 11.8pc

Unauthorised absence: 4.8pc

Dress Code: Plain black trousers or skirt, plain white or black tops

Extra-curricular activities: In the outdoor capital of the UK, we offers a unique and extensive range of activities. Pupils can participate in art, drama, music and sport as well as Duke of Edinburgh Award and charity fundraising. Strong links with Commando Association who visit school at Remembrance weekend each year. Major events include an annual fundraising hike, Christmas dances, residential outward bound trip for all S1 pupils, London trip for sixth years and alternative curriculum in summer term.

Community links: Support from local business in running VP and Skills for Work courses (Forestry Commission, Corrour Estates, Nat Trust for Scotland, Nevis Range, Outward Bound Loch Eil, Snowgoose Mountain Centre, Ice Factor, Vertical Descents, Lochaber/Inverness colleges. Links with Rotary Club – partners for Christmas parcels for elderly and mock interviews for S6. Curriculum support from numerous businesses. Collaboration with Dyslexia Lochaber to record revision notes for use on MP3s.

Vocational education: Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways courses in childcare, construction, outdoor activities, hairdressing, rural skills.

Qualities: We encourage our pupils to take opportunities when they arise and to treat others fairly.

Famous ex-pupils: Charles Kennedy MP; Danny Alexander MP; Jason MacIntyre, triple British and Scottish champion time trial cyclist; Justin Ryan (TV star - Colin and Justin)

Mallaig High

Mallaig, PH41 4RG

Tel: [phone]

E: [email protected]

Head: Martin Sullivan

Roll: 144

Free school meals: 6.3 per cent

Unauthorised absence: 3.5 per cent

Millburn Academy

Diriebught Rd, Inverness, IV2 3QR

Tel: [phone]

E: [email protected]

Head: Delia Thornton

Roll: 1,063

Motto: Strive to Achieve

Free school meals: 5.6 per cent

Unauthorised absence: 4.3 pc

Nairn Academy

Duncan Drive, Nairn, IV12 4RD

Tel: [phone]

E: [email protected]

W: http://members.aol.com/nairnezine

Head: Jean Godden

Roll: 822

Motto: Fac et spera (Do and hope)

Free school meals: 9.1 per cent

Unauthorised absence: 0

Plockton High

Plockton, Ross-shire, IV52 8TU

Tel: [phone]

E: [email protected]

Head: Duncan Ferguson

Roll: 320

Motto: An t-ionnsachadh og an tionnsachadh boidheach (Learn young, learn well)

Free school meals: 8.8 per cent

Unauthorised absence: 0.6 pc

Portree High

Viewfield Road, Portree, IV51 9ET

Tel: [phone]

E: [email protected]

Head:Catherine MacDonald

Roll: 679

Motto: Earbam (Let me Trust)

Free school meals: 6.2 per cent

Unauthorised absence: 1.3 pc

Tain Royal Academy

Scotsburn Road, Tain, IV19 1PS

Tel: [phone]

El: [email protected]

W: www.tainroyalacademy.org.uk

Head: Donnie Macleod

Roll: 615

Free school meals: 13.5 per cent

Unauthorised absence: 3.1 per cent

Dress code: Black trousers/skirt, black or white top.

Extra-curricular activities: Rugby, club, hockey, basketball, badminton, football, clubs – dance, drama, music, health, homework, craft, computer.

Community links: Excellent links – provisions for pre-schoolers through to 'third agers'. Full programme runs for 50 weeks of the year. The school has an all-weather pitch and a swimming pool and has good support from local business.

Vocational education: Pupils attend courses at North Highland College and will offer Rural Skills course from June. Work Experience programme for all S4s. Enterprise activities such as annual Food & Drink Challenge, see pupils work with employers to experience a professional working environment within the classroom

Qualities: We want all pupils to be responsible for their own learning, have respect for themselves and others, and realise their potential.

Thurso High

Ormlie Road, Thurso KW14 7DS

Tel: [phone]

E: [email protected]

W: www.highlandschools-virtualib.org.uk/thursohighschool

Head: Dr Fiona Grant

Roll: 998

Motto: To strive, to seek, to find and not to yield

Free school meals: 10.1 per cent

Unauthorised absence: 1.9 per cent

Extra-curricular activities: Sport: basketball, cricket, football, netball, petanque, rugby (boys and girls), squash, skiing. Others include chess, choir, debating, drama, Scripture Union, Warhammer games, robotics and Young Engineers.

Uniform/dress code: Dress code

Community links: Employers (work experience); pupils support various local and national charities

Vocational education:School works closely with North Highland College – pupils in S3-6 enrol on courses.

Qualities: An understanding that learning does not end on leaving school but continues throughout life. Respect and awareness as citizens.

Famous ex-pupils: Rowan Shepherd (Scotland Rugby International)

Ullapool High

Ullapool, IV26 2UN

Tel: [phone]

E: [email protected]

W: www.ullapoolhigh.highland.sch.uk

Head: Peter Harrison

Roll: 251

Free school meals: 6.7 per cent

Unauthorised absence: 0 per cent

Extra-curricular activities: Wide range of sport includes five football teams (two for girls); country dancing, drama, chess, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Engineers, eco-schools, varied work experience and last year, a range of projects to mark Highland Year of Culture 2007.

Uniform/dress code: Colour code of black, white and dark blue.

Community links: Major community facility including a theatre shared with the school – this leads to many joint music/drama projects. Pupils involved in work experience and assist local organisations by playing music and doing maintenance work. Members of community help with activities in school such as mock interviews, personal skills days and involvement with ecoschools and Fairtrade.

Vocational education: This year 13 senior students attended Vocational Pathways courses at Inverness College on a Friday and we have a number of school-based courses such as rural skills, practical craft skills, catering and drama. Next year sport and recreation will be piloted.

Qualities:Depends on the individual concerned, what their starting point is and their intended path through life. The last three themes for whole school development have been tolerance, respect and compassion.

Wick High

West Banks Avenue, Wick KW1 5LU

Tel: [phone]

El: [email protected]

W: www.wick.highland.sch.uk

Head: Alister Traill

Roll: 849

Free school meals: 12.8 per cent

Unauthorised absence: 4 per cent

Free Meals 13 per cent

Extra Curricular Activities Football, badminton, basketball, swimming, volleyball, rugby, musical production, concerts, foreign travel, exchange with Polish School, riding for disabled, Scripture Union, university visits,

Uniform/dress code: Uniform.

Community links: Strong links with Pulteneytown People's Project which runs clubs in school. They also provide youth workers to assist with Duke of Edinburgh/Prince's Trust courses. Very active Parent Council and very good work experience programme thanks to excellent co-operation from local employers.

Qualities: We want pupils who show respect to others. They should be rounded individuals who care about what is going on in the community and other places.