Look around. Craigmount High School stands here. This school has been a pillar of the community since 1970. Craigmount High School has shaped countless lives. The school’s story is one of growth, adaptation, and a commitment to its students.
Craigmount High School first opened its doors on the site of a former farm. It addressed the need for more space as new housing developments brought more families to the area. In those early days, the school quickly established itself as a forward-thinking educational environment. Many former teachers and pupils have shared memories of those early years. Some remember the itchy brown blazers. Others recall the later shift to black jumpers and polo shirts.
Craigmount High School even hosted the Scotland Japanese School starting in 1982. These classes were held here on weekends. The Japanese School later moved to Livingston in 2003.
By the late 1990s, Craigmount High School was struggling with overcrowding. The original building’s structure was deteriorating. A new building was constructed under a Public-Private Partnership. The old building and upper sports pitches were sold to a property developer. Construction of the new Craigmount High School was completed in 2003. Staff and pupils moved in that August.
However, the new building faced unexpected challenges. In April 2016, Edinburgh City Council closed Craigmount High School due to safety concerns related to the building work. Classes were moved to various locations across Edinburgh. Seventeen other schools in the area were also affected. Fortunately, Craigmount High School reopened in August 2016. It finally met the minimum safety standards.
Craigmount High School boasts a strong debating tradition. The school has won the Donald Dewar Debating Tournament several times in the early 2010s. In 2020, Craigmount pupil Freddy Simonet-Lefevre represented Scotland in the World Debating Championships. Craigmount’s team were finalists in the 2020 Future Asset Competition.
Many notable individuals have walked the halls of Craigmount High School. This includes people like cricketer David Addison-Smith. Politician Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh also attended Craigmount. Actors such as Tam Dean Burn are also alumni. Several professional footballers are also alumni. These include Michael Stewart, Gordon Marshall, and Scott Marshall. Peter Murrell, CEO of the SNP, is also a former pupil. The writer Louise Welsh also attended Craigmount High School. Brad McKay, a professional footballer, is also an alumnus.
Craigmount High School continues to evolve. The school is committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment. Craigmount’s motto is “Trust, Purpose, Aspiration, Awareness, Drive”. This reflects the values it instills in its students.
In 2022, former pupils reunited to celebrate the school’s 50th anniversary. Around 160 alumni from the first four years attended. They raised over £3,000 for a local cancer charity.
Today, Craigmount High School serves over 1200 pupils. It remains a vital part of the community. The school prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of the future. Craigmount High School strives to uphold its tradition of excellence.