Boroughmuir High School

Boroughmuir High school was opened in 1904 to provide non-fee paying secondary education for the south of Edinburgh. In 1913 the school moved to the current building.

The school celebrated its centenary in 2004.

The school is used by a wide variety of outside groups in the evenings and at the weekend. We do not provide contact details for these users and all requests for information about them should be addressed to the groups themselves.

The school is the venue for many Adult Education classes.

The Adult Learning Project run a series of classes/workshops for all levels of musician. They also host ceilidhs and concerts, both here and elsewhere.

Sangstream, the Scots Folk choir which has links to ALP, rehearses in our atrium.

Boroughmuir Basketball run basketball clubs for all ages and levels.

The Northmen are a historical re-enactment society.

The Alba Cathay Chinese School run classes on Modern Mandarin Chinese language, culture and about the evolving Chinese community in Edinburgh.

You can read the full dress code policy in the about us section of the site.

Boroughmuir High School introduced a dress code for all pupils in August 2002. This decision was reached after consultation with pupils, staff and parents. We firmly believe that all pupils should dress in a way which:

• Is acceptable for attendance at school
• Is in line with the school's guidelines
• Encourages pupils to have a sense of belonging and pride in their school
• Takes account of health and safety requirements

What are the benefits of a school dress code?

We believe that there are many advantages for pupils, for schools and for parents in having a clear dress code.

• Encouraging a sense of belonging and pride in the school
• Encouraging a purposeful attitude to school work and extra-curricular activities enhancing the image of the school in the community.
• Discouraging competition between pupils (regarding designer wear, for example).
• Discouraging bullying and victimisation which may arise from pupils not having certain clothing or footwear.
• Improving safety in the classroom and in practical areas such as science labs
• Improving school security through easy identification of intruders improving security on excursions through the easy identification of pupils.

School Policy

Boroughmuir High School will encourage pupils to wear school dress by working closely with parents, pupils and School Board. The school will remind pupils and parents of the school dress code in assemblies, newsletters and the school prospectus.

The School Year Heads will:

Speak to the pupil and ask him/her to follow the dress code and support the school policy Contact parents by letter or by telephone to encourage pupils to follow the school policy Invite parents to the school to discuss the dress code.

At Boroughmuir we aim to:

• Provide a welcoming, safe and secure environment.
• Create opportunities for positive learning experiences.
• Offer challenges and recognise individual achievement.
• Encourage high expectations.
• Raise attainment.
• Listen and respond.
• Respect ourselves and others.
• Value diversity.
• Work in partnership with home & community.
• Offer support.
• Communicate openly and effectively.
• Approach Continuing Professional Development in a manner which will serve the needs of pupils, staff and the school as a whole.

The aim in the first two years of secondary school is to produce a balanced course which will familiarise pupils with a wide range of subjects. This is known throughout Scotland as the common course. This does not mean that all pupils study the same subjects to the same degree and at the same pace. As outlined in the last section, allowances are made for pupils at all levels of ability.

The school is aware of outside pressures and changes that are occurring that affect the needs of our pupils. Such an example is the development of computer technology and to meet this demand all Junior School pupils are given an introductory course in Information Technology.

Subjects Studied - (Curriculum for S1 and S2) In S1 pupils will see a maximum of 13 teachers in any one week. Rotas operate in Social Studies so that not every subject is studied every week.

• Mathematics
• French/German*
• Social Studies - History, Geography and Modern Studies+
• Science
• Drama
• Home Economics
• Craft, Design & Technology
• Art
• Religious & Moral Education
• Music
• Physical Education
• ICT

+ Offered on a rota.

*There are 4/5 classes offering German and 4/5 classes offering French. Allocation to these classes is at the discretion of the school.

At present Boroughmuir pupils follow two year courses in S3-S4 which lead to presentation for standard grade certificates. These are well established courses offered in a wide range of subjects and in recent years pupils from this school have gained qualifications which, both in quality and quantity, exceed national and City of Edinburgh attainment levels.

All pupils take a modern language at Standard Grade in S3 and S4. This requirement is in line with National and Regional initiatives on modern languages. All pupils take English, Mathematics, Physical Education, PSE and Religious & Moral Education.

The School holds meetings designed to inform parents about developments in those departments already embarking on Standard Grade courses. In the months which follow, a series of meetings will be held for parents of S2 pupils who are faced with subject choice for the following year. It should be stressed that we are available at any time to discuss curriculum matters and parents who are interested or concerned should not hesitate to contact your child's Guidance teacher.

Standard Grade courses are supplemented by a range of sport and leisure activities on an extra-curricular basis. The range of extra activities also includes musical events, science and maths projects, and residential experiences both in Britain and abroad. Pupils also have the opportunity to be involved in work experience, to visit Further Education Colleges for taster courses and to receive the most up to date careers advice. Recent developments in guidance within the school are designed to equip pupils to make decisions and to provide support as this is needed by each individual pupil. In Biology, Physics and Media Studies courses are offered at Access and Intermediate levels. These are national qualifications which can progress to Higher Still courses in S5/6.

One feature of Standard Grades is the approach to assessment. Greater emphasis is laid on specifying the criteria on which grades will be assigned. This enables teachers to develop more effective diagnostic procedures and to involve pupils and parents in strategies designed to improve the child's performance. We would urge you to respond to any invitations we issue to Parents' Meetings and we would remind you that we are available if you wish to contact the school about a particular pupil.

A newsletter especially for S3/4 pupils entitled 'Making the Grade' is issued 2-3 times per session. This newsletter aims to keep parents informed and updated about any S3/S4 issues.

For your information on here is the most recent S3 Option Scheme. Once a choice is made the course covers two years - i.e. S3 and S4.

In Fifth Year, pupils are expected to study 5 subjects. A broad range of subjects is available at Higher grade which caters for the combination of subjects which are most sought after. It is possible to choose a programme which includes the three sciences - Biology, Chemistry and Physics - or one which includes two languages. For most pupils, however, the advice is to retain a broadly-based programme which will keep options open until a later date. Pupils may also take advantage of arrangements made with neighbouring schools or with Stevenson College to take courses not available at Boroughmuir.

In Sixth Year pupils are expected to study 4 subjects. Sixth Year pupils may choose subjects from within the same range as Fifth Year pupils, a number taking "crash courses' in new subjects to gain extra Highers. In addition, Advanced Higher courses will be offered by most departments. These courses provide a bridge between the teacher-centred approach of Higher grade and the student-centred requirements of study at College or University. The value of these courses in preparing pupils for Higher Education is widely recognised. Parents may be assured that English Universities give full consideration to pupils with Scottish Advanced Higher Qualifications as is indicated by the number of our former pupils who are pursuing their studies at English Universities.

To increase the range of subjects available - Boroughmuir High School, along with James Gillespie's High School, St Thomas of Aquins, Liberton High School and Gracemount High School overlap their options in Column E. This enables a pupil to take a subject in Column E at one of the neighbourhood schools. All pupils have Personal & Social Education (PSE) and Study.

S5/6 option scheme - For your information the most recent Option Scheme is available.