Shawlands Academy

Admissions

Shawlands Academy was Glasgow's designated International School and one of Scotland's most multicultural schools. It was situated in Shawlands, between Pollok Park (and its Burrell Collection) and Queen's Park.

Shawlands Academy had around 1,250 students and over 100 teachers.

Shawlands Academy dated from 1857 when there was a private school of the same name located nearby in Skirving Street. This private school became state-owned and was then called Crossmyloof Annexe. It served as a feeder school for Shawlands Academy in the 1960s. Shawlands academy in its current form opened in 1894 (1894) in the nearby building on Pollokshaws Road which now houses Shawlands Primary School.

Pluralism

Shawlands was noted for its pluralism. In the 1960s, the school had a particularly high density of Jewish pupils, and was one of the few state schools in Scotland to offer Hebrew as a curriculum subject. Reflecting its status as Glasgow International School, Shawlands taught many modern languages, including Urdu. According to a survey in 2006, over 50 languages were spoken in the playground.

Notable alumni

Academia / Science / Fellowships

Ronald Arnold – Regius Professor of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh

Tom Husband – Vice Chancellor of the University of Salford

Alexander Provan Robertson – chair in mathematics at Keele University and assisted in the founding of Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia

Arts

Ivor Cutler (born Isadore Cutler) – Poet and Songwriter

Carole Gibbons – Painter

Brian Limond – Comedian

Jack Milroy (a.k.a. James Cruden) – Comedian

Jerry Sadowitz – Comedian and Magician

Reay Tannahill (a.k.a. Annabel Laine) – Author

Atta Yaqub – Model and Actor

Film and Theatre

Michelle Gomez – Actress (Doctor Who, Green Wing)

Eileen Herlie – Actress (1960 best actress nominee for Tony Award)

Alex Norton – Actor (Taggart)

Daniel Portman – Actor (River City, Game of Thrones)

Military

Donald Cameron (VC) – Recipient of the Victoria Cross