Portree High School
Portree High School (Gaelic: Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh) is a state co-educational comprehensive school in Portree, Isle of Skye in Scotland. As of 2020[update], the school enrols 494 pupils and employs 80 teachers and support staff.[1] The school's catchment area draws from 15 primary schools across Skye and neighbouring Raasay.[2] The school also has a hostel with boarding provisions for a small number of pupils who live in more remote areas of the island.
History
[edit]A school has existed at Portree since the 17th century. However it closed in 1825 due to the difficulty in finding a new qualified schoolmaster. Construction on the Portree High School buildings began in 1872. In 1905 it became a Higher Grade school. Margaret Carnegie Hostel for girls being opened in 1924, followed in 1933 by the Elgin Hostel for boys. Elgin Hostel is now a Category B listed building.[3]
Until late 2008, the school consisted of three buildings - the main building, the Elgin Hostel and the Technical Block, along with about a dozen demountable classrooms. In 2008, this arrangement was replaced by a new building, constructed by Morrison Construction as part of a regional PPP scheme to build eleven schools in the Highlands.[4] The demountable classrooms were then removed, and the main building and Technical Block demolished.
Curriculum
[edit]Students take a range of curricular subjects in the Broad General Education (S1-S3) and a wide range of subjects at N4/5, Higher and AH level. The school's curriculum includes provision for Gaelic medium education. The school works in partnership with the West Highland College and Sabhal Mor Ostaig to offer a wide range of vocational subjects and Foundation Apprenticeships. The new school was built in 2008, and officially opened in 2010. The current Head Teacher, Tony Breen, was appointed in 2021.[5]
Notable alumni
[edit]- Sir Russell Johnston (1932–2008), Liberal Democrat politician, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Party 1974–1988
- Hector MacKenzie, Baron MacKenzie of Culkein (born 1940), nurse and trades unionist
- Sorley Maclean, Scottish Gaelic poet and Nobel Prize nominee
- Roderick John MacLeod, Lord Minginish[6] (born c. 1953), known as Roddy John, Chairman of the Scottish Land Court since 2014
External links
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ Tony Breen. "Portree High School, Isle of Skye, Home Page". Portreehigh.highland.sch.uk. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
- ^ "Portree High School". highland.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 22 August 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ History of PHS
- ^ "Schools PPP". Highland.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
- ^ "School Leadership".
- ^ "Biography: Roddy John MacLeod" (PDF). Stòrlann. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
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