Founded in 1894 Craigholme School initially welcomed both boys and girls. It began as Pollokshields Ladies School with just forty pupils. Mrs Jessie Murdoch established the school in a villa called Craigholme at 63 Dalziel Drive. The name Craigholme School was adopted after World War I. The school’s story is one of expansion and adaptation.
In 1937 senior pupils moved to 72 St Andrew’s Drive. The junior school remained at Dalziel Drive. World War II saw the school evacuated to the Trossachs for a time. In 1942 Margaret Logie retired. The Pollok School Company a group of parents and businessmen bought the school. The school continued to grow acquiring buildings at 328 Albert Drive in 1942 and 68 St Andrew’s Drive in 1955. Further expansion happened in 1963 with the purchase of numbers 2 and 4 Hamilton Avenue. New laboratories and a hall were added in 1971. Another floor was built onto the science facilities in 1987.
A significant development came in 1993. The school purchased St Ronan’s Preparatory School. This provided space for the nursery and younger pupils. A dedicated nursery site was later opened at 62 St Andrew’s Drive. In 2006 a two million pound sports complex was added. This complex even became home to the Glasgow Gladiators Powerchair FC.
Despite these expansions challenges emerged. Pupil numbers declined. In 2018 Craigholme joined the Glasgow Schools Trust with Kelvinside Academy. However this merger couldn’t save the school. The senior school closed in 2019. The junior school and nursery followed in 2020. The buildings were sold for around 2.5 million pounds. Plans for a residential development involving demolition of some buildings were submitted in 2022. Craigholme School’s legacy however continues in its history and the memories of its students and teachers. The school’s motto Persta atque Obdura meaning Be steadfast and endure resonates even now.