Eyemouth High School
Working in partnership with students, parents and other agencies we aim to promote endeavour, high achievement, high self-esteem, and a healthy lifestyle.
The School
At present the roll of the school is 440. About half of these pupils come from the town of Eyemouth whilst the remainder come from the surrounding rural area.
There are five primary schools associated with the High School and the largest of these by far is Eyemouth Primary which adjoins the High School and uses some of its facilities such as the library. The other four primaries - Coldingham, Cockburnspath, Reston and Ayton - range in size from about 20 to 100 students.
The High School has a staff of approximately 40 many of whom are now experienced having served in the school for periods of 10 – 15 years. However, every year there are new additions to the staff and we normally have at least three or four teachers who are completing their initial probationary period.
For many years High School students have consistently performed well in national examinations and recent results can be found in the School Prospectus. The school has a long tradition of sending considerable numbers of students into Further or Higher Education - in recent years students from Eyemouth High School have gone on to a wide variety of universities. Obviously the Edinburgh Universities – Edinburgh, Heriot Watt and Napier – are particularly close but considerable numbers have also gone to Glasgow, Aberdeen and Newcastle Universities.
Guidance has a central focal role to play within the school and high priority is given to supporting all students. On entering the High School each student is allocated to a Guidance Teacher and remains with that Guidance Teacher throughout his/her school career. Each student is guaranteed two individual interviews with the Guidance Teacher per session and in addition meets with the Guidance Teacher weekly in Social Education. The role of Guidance staff is extremely varied but concentrates particularly on advising students about their choices of courses at key points in their school careers, on careers guidance and particularly on personal guidance i.e. supporting pupils, encouraging them, and dealing with any concerns that may arise from time to time.
The school is particularly proud of the range of extra curricular activities which it offers and regards these as an integral part of students’ education. Rugby and hockey are offered every Saturday morning, there is an active public speaking team and many pupils derive great enjoyment from the interhouse competition which runs throughout the school year and embraces activities as diverse as Trivial Pursuits, 5-a-side football, and target golf. The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme has operated in the school for many years providing challenging but enjoyable activities to a very large number of students.
During the course of a school year a wide variety of trips take place. For example, the school has long established links with a partner school in the German Black Forest and groups, usually of 30 – 40 students, visit each other year about e.g. Eyemouth students visited Germany in June 2005 having received a similar visit from a party of German students in September 2004. Each October the R.E. and Guidance departments jointly lead a large party of sixth year students on a five day residential in London which is partly enjoyment, partly cultural, and partly R.E. in theme.
In conclusion the school sets great store by academic success and is delighted with the results achieved over a considerable number of years. Equally important however to us is that we have systems in place to support all students throughout their school career so that they can obtain maximum benefit from their education. Finally, as indicated above, we regard extra curricular activities as having enormous value to students’ education and encourage all students to participate in these.
D Watson
Headteacher
Departments
Eyemouth Area
Our school serves rural Eastern Berwickshire. Our pupils come from a narrow strip of land near the east coast which stretches from Cockburnspath at its north end to the English border a few miles south of the town of Eyemouth. |
Apart from Eyemouth which has a population 3500 this is an agricultural area with several small villages and a rugged coastline. |
The town of Eyemouth has traditionally been heavily dependent on the fishing industry. However in recent years substantial redevelopment has taken place partly thanks to European Community funding. A new fish market has been built, the harbour has been deepened, a new 18 hole golf course has opened and the town centre is being renovated in stages. |
The nearest large town, Berwick upon Tweed, is only 9 miles away and is linked to Eyemouth by a frequent bus service. Berwick is a charming historic town with many high class facilities including a main line railway station, a good selection of shopping, and an excellent small theatre and modern sports centre. |
Homework Help
Eyemouth High School policy on homework is that, where appropriate, homework should form part of the course work taught in all years. Where students are having difficulties with their homework, they are encouraged to ask their teachers for help before the homework is due in. Many difficulties that students have with their work are sorted out in this way.
In addition, many departments have arrangements where extra help or advice can be given. Students are encouraged to make use of these arrangements:
Art: S4&S5 - Tuesdays and Wednesdays 3.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. in Room A7
Biology: S3,S4,S5 &S6 - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 1.00 p.m. to 1.30 p.m. in Room 20.
Business Education: After school any evening by arrangement.
Chemistry: Each morning from 8.30 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. and by request in Room 23.
Computing: Tuesdays and Thursdays at lunchtimes in Room 12.
English: Please make arrangements with individual teachers.
Geography: Before registration or any lunchtime after 1.10 p.m. in Room 17.
Graphic Communication: S3 to S6 - Wednesday lunchtime.
History: By appointment with the teacher.
Library: The library is open until 4.00 p.m. every day.
Mathematics: A revision/homework/study group runs every Thursday after school for all students. Other times - please make arrangements with individual teachers.
Modern Languages: Wednesday lunchtimes from 1.10 p.m. Other times - please make arrangements with individual teachers
Modern Studies: S2 to S4 by appointment with the teacher.
Physical Education: Practical performance - Tuesday lunchtime. Evaluation, Knowledge and Understanding - other lunchtimes by appointment.
Physics: S3 - Monday & S4 Friday from 1.05 p.m. to 1.35 p.m. in Room 24. S5 & S6 - Tuesday 1.05 p.m. to 1.35 p.m. in Room 25.
Science: S1 & S2 - 1.05 p.m. to 1.35 p.m. in Room 24 S3 & S4 - each morning from 8.30 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. and by request in Room 23.
Woodwork: S3 & S4 - Thursday lunchtime.
I hope you find this useful. I you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
D Watson Headteacher 21st February 2007
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