Tynecastle High School
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| Tynecastle High School | |
| Established | 1912 |
| Type | State school |
| Religious affiliation | Non-denominational |
| Headteacher | Dr. Morna Flemming |
| Location | 15 McLeod Street Edinburgh EH11 2NJ Scotland  |
| LEA | Edinburgh City |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Ages | 13 to 18 |
| School colours | Silver and Blue |
| Website | TyneCastle High School |
Tynecastle High School is a secondary school in South West Edinburgh, Scotland.
It has been open since 1912. The headteacher at Tynecastle is Dr. Morna Flemming.[1]
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[edit] Bullying interdict
The school was at the source of controversy in 2004, when pupil Paula Thorburn was granted only the second ever interdict to keep bullies away from her at the school. One violent incident took place in the rector's office in front of staff.[2] Her mother claimed that she had been forced into taking the action by "the failure of school and education authorities to tackle the problem". She said "The kids were cruel and taunted her about her eyesight and her red hair. The last straw for me was when my daughter was thrown down the stairs at school. She was absolutely petrified. These are supposed to be the best years of your life, but she has been robbed of them."[3] In March 2007, Paula sued her local authority over the incidents. "I tried to tell my head at Tynecastle but I was told to go and see a guidance teacher who, as far as I could see, didn't do anything to stop it."[4]
[edit] New Tynecastle High School
The school was scheduled for demolition in the next few years to make way for an extension by next door neighbours Heart of Midlothian Football Club.[5]
On 1 April 2007, Edinburgh Council gave the go ahead to rebuild Tynecastle High School in a different area of McLeod Street. The council approved the sale of the school and a nearby nursery to the football team for the sum of £5.9 million.[6]
However, the new Liberal Democrats / Scottish National Party coalition that took over Edinburgh City Council in May 2007 have signalled they plan to fight any move to demolish the school.[7][8][9] Council Leader Jenny Dawe said "I can't see any way that they would get permission to knock it down. It's important for the city that we don't have a repeat of the 1960s when a lot of fine buildings were knocked down and replaced by horrible multi-storey blocks."[10] This school is also a B-listed building and any permission for it to be altered can only be done with the permission of both the council and Historic Scotland.[11]
Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov is said to want to build a luxury hotel, sports bars and shops alongside a stadium with a 12,000 capacity.[12] However, in August 2007 it was reported that the school would "remain untouched" in the redevelopment.[13]
[edit] Wilfred Owen
The First World War poet Wilfred Owen taught at Tynecastle when he was a patient at Craiglockhart Hospital. His spell at the school lasted three weeks in 1917. Owen praised the school in his published letters (1967).[14][15]
[edit] Ian Richardson
One of its ex-pupils was the actor Ian Richardson, who has famously played Francis Urquhart in the BBC adaption of House of Cards. His time at the school was not a happy one though. "It would be very different now but then I don't think they had a clue what to do with me, they certainly didn't understand me. I cannot remember having any friends there either. I hated it."[16]
[edit] References
- ^ Welcome To Tynecastle High School Website (2007).
- ^ When bullying at school takes on a deadly dimension (2007-24-01).
- ^ Court win for bullied Edinburgh girl (2004-05-01).
- ^ Girl sues council over bullying hell (2007-06-03).
- ^ Hearts receive Tynecastle boost (2004-01-05).
- ^ Tynecastle High move given the go-ahead (2007-02-04).
- ^ Celtic's Gordon Strachan May Face Lengthy Ban (2007-08-20).
- ^ Hearts reveal stadium plans but club debt is set to soar (2007-08-21).
- ^ Romanov's £50m dream (2007-08-20).
- ^ Stand off over Hearts stadium plans (2004-07-18).
- ^ 'Hurdles in way of a makeover for Tynecastle' (2004-07-18).
- ^ Council to voice fears over Tynecastle renovation (2004-07-18).
- ^ Hearts unveil stadium plans which may take debt to £80m (2007-08-20).
- ^ Ironmike & Favedave & and other WWI book collectors (2007-11-05).
- ^ The War Poets - Wilfred Owen 2 (2007-11-05).
- ^ Acting Star Ian Richardson Dies (2007-09-02).
