| Administrative History | The original school in Old Aberdeen had been founded by an endowment from Dr Andrew Bell of St Andrews who amassed a fortune in India and devoted much of this to the foundation of schools in Britain. This school was erected in 1831. He promoted the Madras system of education whereby older, brighter pupils took charge of the younger pupils - the forerunner of the pupil-teacher system. (He endowed another school in Aberdeen - Frederick Street School). Old Aberdeen School [shown on the first edition OS map as Bell's School in New Street] was taken over by Aberdeen School Board in November 1896 under an agreement whereby the pupils and staff would transfer to the new school when it was opened.
A new building was constructed to a design by J A Ogg Allan, Architect and Master of Works for Aberdeen School Board, between 1898 and 1901.
The school roll was always heavy - with many being turned away - the School Board minutes note several appeals from parents who had been refused permission to send their children to the school. (See also the complaints of the Head Master upon moving into the new school in 1900). The building was also used for other purposes - during the First World War it was requisitioned by the military authorities and staff and pupils were moved to Sunnybank School.
The majority of pupils transferred to Seaton School in 1937, but 4 infant classes remained at Old Aberdeen School.
The minutes of the Town Council of Aberdeen Minutes of the Education Committee 25 June 1937 [page 116] note 'The Director of Education reported that satisfactory progress was being made with the new school at Seaton, and that it would be possible to open the school in August. It was proposed to transfer the pupils of Old Aberdeen School to the new school, along with the staff, with the exception of four classes which would remain meantime in Old Aberdeen School and be under the supervision of the Headmaster of the new school at Seaton. The vacant accommodation in Old Aberdeen School would be required ultimately for pupils from the Powis area, pending the reconstruction of Sunnybank School.'
The same minute book reports on 25 February 1938 as follows [page 54]: 'The Committee had under consideration the present staffing arrangements in Old Aberdeen School, and after hearing a report by the Director, agreed to recommend that , in view of the increasing number of pupils attending the school, a Headmaster be appointed to take up duty in August 1938.' The same meeting also [page 60]:- 'agreed to recommend that Mr John Mutch MA, Headmaster, George Street School, be transferred to Old Aberdeen School after the summer vacation.'
The meeting held on 20 May 1938 reported [page 104]:- 'The sub committee recommended the transfer of First Assistants - Mr Fred Hardie MA, from George Street School to Old Aberdeen School.'
In 1938 - 1940 Old Aberdeen School operated in its own right, not merely as part of Seaton School. In fact on 23 June 1939 ambitious plans were underway to reconstruct the school so that it could become a junior secondary school:- '… agreed to recommend that Mr Allan, Architect, be instructed to prepare plans for the necessary reconstruction and extension of Old Aberdeen School to convert it into a Junior Secondary School for the district.'
On 22 September 1939 [page 176 - 177]: A report and plans were submitted by Mr Allan, Architect, on the reconstruction and enlargement of Old Aberdeen School necessary to convert it into a Junior Secondary School. The plans provided for a school of 16 classrooms, special subject rooms, assembly hall, gymnasium, spray baths, the necessary staffroom, cloakroom etc accommodation, and air-raid shelter for 400 children.'
From 1939 onwards the picture begins to become unclear as some schools were used for military purposes and pupils were transferred to other schools.
In 1939 pupils from Powis school were at Old Aberdeen School
In 1940 Infant and primary pupils from Sunnybank School were at Old Aberdeen School (380 at OAS and 225 in 5 classrooms at Causewayend School)
In 1941 - 1945 Linksfield Infant and Primary pupils were meeting at Old Aberdeen School (690 pupils) and Seaton School (270 Infants)
The minutes of 22 October 1946 record [page 800]:- 'Following the return of the pupils of Linksfield School to their own locus in September last, when the Linksfield building became de-requisitioned by the Military, Old Aberdeen School became vacant. As Powis School is already inordinately large, it is proposed to convert the Old Aberdeen School building - supplemented by huts for practical rooms - into a Junior Secondary School to relieve the congestion at Powis when the school leaving age is raised.'
Old Aberdeen School did reopen as a Junior Secondary School on 5 January 1948. The school closed in 1975, with pupils transferred to Linksfield Academy. The building was partly occupied by St Peter's R.C. School from the 1980s.
Head Teachers:-
George M Leys 5 Jan 1948 - 23 Dec 1955 (retired)
Henry W Valentine 4 Jan 1956 - 30 June 1959
Henry T Stewart 25 Aug 1959 - 28 April 1961 (to Kaimhill School)
A T Hunter 1 May 1961 - 12 May 1961 (Acting)
James Stewart 15 May 1961 - 2 July 1965 (to HIlton School, formerly deputy head Kaimhill Sec School)
Douglas Simpson 24 Aug 1965 - 7 April 1971 (to Kincorth School)
Mr Thomson 20 April 1971 - 31 May 1971 (Acting) |