Wednesday 10 March 2010
This can take some getting used to but our system of effective liaison and induction means that any problems can be dealt with very quickly or even pre-empted.
In the course of the ensuing six years each pupil is encouraged to maximise his or her academic abilities whilst developing self-confidence, team work, leadership, self-reliance, an independence of mind, integrity, a global awareness and a sense of responsibility towards the wider community.
By the time they have made the journey through to Upper VI they are well-prepared and ready to move on to the next exciting stage in life.
The academic provision in the Upper School at Albyn builds on the Scottish curriculum familiar to those from the Lower School. However, given the level of employee mobility required in the oil and gas industries in Aberdeen we positively welcome new pupils at any stage of their school careers.
Pupils entering from other schools, whether primary or secondary, whether from Scotland, the rest of the UK or overseas, will find that every effort is made to integrate them completely and quickly. Settling-In reports are written for all Upper I pupils as well as for all others who are new to the Upper School.
The Upper School at Albyn covers years S1 to S6 inclusive. A staff pupil ratio of 1:7 ensures that classes remain small and all pupils are given a lot of individual attention throughout their time with us.
As a result Albyn is one of the top performing Schools in the country.
The School is also very well resourced for a relatively small school. Purpose-built Science labs were opened in 1993 and then extended in 2002. In the last few years the School has opened a new ICT Centre, a Business Education Room, developed a sports facility at Milltimber and refurbished the Library, Dining Hall and numerous classrooms.
In Upper I and II pupils study a broad, balanced curriculum based on the Scottish 5-14 Guidelines. However, this is enhanced by ensuring that Biology, Chemistry and Physics are taught as separate subjects. That is invaluable when the girls come to make their choices for Standard Grade or Intermediate 2. In Upper I, all girls are required to take French but they must also take either Latin or German.
In Upper III and IV pupils opt for up to nine Standard Grade or Intermediate II subjects (eight tends to be the norm). The small classes, a strong system of Guidance, Support for Learning and stage-related Careers Education mean that attainment levels are very high. Standard Grade pass rates vary between 95% and 100%. Given the range of ability in the School these are figures that we are very proud of indeed.
Consequently, nearly all of our pupils then stay on for Upper V and Upper VI when they select a range of Highers and/or Advanced Highers in preparation for University or a career.
The last two years at Albyn represent the culmination of each pupil’s school experience. Everyone is encouraged to take up leadership roles and responsibilities in nearly all areas of school life. In Upper VI the emphasis is on establishing patterns of autonomous learning and self-motivation designed to ensure that our young people are well prepared for a wider, more challenging world outside school.