Senior School Information Booklet
Set your child up for success through the joy of learning.
An Introduction from the Rector
An education at The High School of Glasgow lays down a firm foundation to excel. This is illustrated in many ways: in our consistently excellent academic results, in our young people representing Scotland and the UK in their chosen pursuits and in the career paths of our leavers.
Earliest memories are formed during formative Junior School years, while Senior School provides a time to find out who you are and where your strengths lie. Although we can’t predict the future, we can prepare your child for it, while simultaneously ensuring they are grounded in the present to gain the most out of their school experience.
Walk the corridors and glance into classrooms and you’ll detect a special feeling at the High School, it’s a feeling that anything is possible and this energy is infectious. Our curriculum is centred around discovering the joy of learning and we believe it is this approach to education that engages children and young people and inspires them to be curious learners with an appetite for discovery.
With a history stretching back to 1124, The High School of Glasgow has deep roots in our city and has stood the test of time. We pride ourselves on our strong sense of community and this doesn’t stop when pupils leave: we are regularly in touch with former pupils, welcoming many back to share wisdom with our current cohort.
Sursum Semper, our School motto, translates as Ever Upwards. This is a timeless message that underpins the ethos of the High School and the attitude we instil in children and young people for life.
John O’Neill Rector of The High School of Glasgow
Welcome
Welcome to the High School of Glasgow Senior School and thank you for deciding to take a closer look at our school and what it has to offer your child and family. I hope that you will find this information booklet helpful in finding out more about the school, as well as gaining an insight into our admissions process and our provision of bursaries.
We are a school community shaped by our collective values. We are a people-centred, welcoming school which is ambitious, innovative and community minded. At our very heart, we aim in all that we do inside and outside of the classroom, to encourage and support all our young people to give the best of themselves in every circumstance, to reach beyond their grasp, and in doing so to develop their talents, abilities and all-round potential. We also hope that they will surprise themself in the process and experience joy.
Through our commitment to promoting positive relationships across our community, we seek to provide a happy and purposeful environment in which young people, feeling secure and individually valued, can give of themselves positively inside and outside of the classroom. To unlock and draw out the potential in each young person, it is essential that they feel respected and supported as this is key to allowing real learning to happen.
To that end, our pastoral and guidance system and the place of our Health and Wellbeing Centre pervades the daily practice of the school, as does our commitment to great teaching and stimulating curiosity, whilst going the extra mile to further support learning and to provide varied opportunities and experiences in both academic and extra-curricular activity.
We believe that it is our job at the High School to provide each young person with the personal capacities, knowledge, skills and confidence to move forward, able to make a positive difference to their own life and to the lives of others.
We look forward to you experiencing the joy of learning for yourself.
Kenneth Robertson Head of Senior School
Transitus Curriculum
Art and Design
Computing Science
Drama
English
French
Geography
Health and Food Technology
History
Latin
Mathematics
Music
Personal and Social Education
Physical Education
Religion and Philosophy
Science
Swimming
Transitus Studies
(including Research Skills, Business Studies and Modern Studies)
First Year
Art and Design
Business Studies and Education
Computing Science
Drama
English
French
Geography
German
Health and Food Technology
History
Latin
Mandarin
Mathematics
Music
Personal and Social Education
Physical Education
Religion and Philosophy
Science
Spanish
Swimming and Games
Second Year
Art and Design
Biology
Chemistry
Computing Science
Drama
Economics
English
French
Games
General Studies and Study Skills
Geography
German
Health and Food Technology
History
Latin
Mandarin
Mathematics
Modern Studies
Music
Personal and Social Education
Physical Education
Physics
Religion and Philosophy
Spanish
Third and Fourth Year
National 5
English (compulsory)
Mathematics (compulsory)
Art and Design
Biology
Chemistry
Computing Science
Drama
Economics
French
Geography
German HFT
History
Latin
Mandarin
Modern Studies
Music
Physics
Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies
Spanish
In addition to the National 5 courses, pupils will also receive lessons in:
Games
General Studies (including Careers - S4 only)
Personal and Social Education (S3 and S4)
Physical Education
Religion and Philosophy
Fifth Year
Higher
English (compulsory)
Art and Design
Biology
Business Management
Chemistry
Classical Studies
Computing Science
Drama
Economics
French
Geography
German
Health and Food Technology
History
Latin
Mathematics
Modern Studies
Music
Physical Education
Physics
Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies
Spanish
In addition to the Higher courses, pupils will also receive lessons in:
Games
General Studies (including PSE and Careers)
Personal and Social Education
Physical Education
Sixth Year
Advanced
Applied Mathematics
Art and Design
Biology
Business Management
Chemistry
Classical Studies
Computing Science
Drama
Economics
English
French
Geography
German
Sixth Year Short Courses
Accounting
Archaeology: An Introduction
Arguments in Action
Bridge
Classical Greek for Beginners
Conversational French
Conversational Italian
Crochet for Beginners
Digital Media and Editing
DofE Young Leadership
Film Production
Fuel Change
An Introduction to Archaeology
An Introduction to Psychology
Health and Food Technology
History
Latin
Mathematics
Modern Studies
Music
Physical Education
Physics
Spanish
Statistics
Higher Higher
Environmental Science
Philosophy
The following short courses are available from the start of the session.
The courses that eventually take place depend on pupil uptake.
Japanese Language and Culture for Beginners
Krav Maga
Mandarin
Medical Ethics
Mindfulness and Meditation
Music and Wellbeing in the Community
Powering Futures
Psychology: An Introduction
START - an innovative programme for schools that replicates the experience of participating in a start-up business incubator. Pioneered by The High School and created in partnership with leading designers and entrepreneurs, the course allows teams of S6 pupils to identify and solve real-world problems using the tools of design thinking, before learning how to make their ideas commercially viable and pitch them to others. Along the way, pupils receive input from real entrepreneurs to ignite their passion and shape their start-ups. The programme fosters the skills that have been identified by major reports from organisations such as the OECD, the World Economic Forum and Google as crucial for the future - creativity, analytical thinking, empathy, resilience, teamwork, and communication. These skills are central to all modern careers, from Medicine to Marketing, so START will bring huge benefits to all participants. The programme culminates in a pitch competition judged by leading figures from the entrepreneurial community, with internship prizes on offer for the winning team.
Speedy Spanish
Statistics (Higher Module SCQF Level 6)
Student Survival Cookery
In addition to the AH/ Higher courses, pupils will also participate in:
Friday Lectures
Games / Community Service
Liberal Studies
“ Transitus is a truly memorable year in our Senior School for our Primary 7 cohort. It’s a great time to grow in independence and experience the opportunities that come with being in a secondary environment, while being carefully supported by Form Teachers. I love seeing their enthusiasm as they try so many new subjects. They are fully integrated into the life of the School and have the chance to be involved in a huge variety of extra-curricular activities and special events. ”
Sheona de Groot
Transitus Form Teacher, English Teacher, Former Pupil & Current Parent
Passing or crossing is the true definition of Transitus and that is what we offer children: the opportunity to cross over to Senior School for their last year of Primary School.
This move for Primary 7, enables children to experience what life is like as a Senior, giving them access to the full range of subjects including Business Management, Health and Food Technology, Drama and Modern Studies.
Extended lunch times allow children to explore new hobbies and meet others with common interests across a range of clubs and societies, including Creative Writing Club, Debating Society, Astronomy Club, Girls’ Football and British Sign Language Club.
The benefits of this transitional year give children a head start in the Senior curriculum, learning from specialist teachers in every subject, whilst also allowing them an advanced opportunity to explore which subjects they enjoy and are passionate about, alongside gaining an all-round wealth of experience they will carry with them throughout Senior School and beyond.
By the time our Transitus pupils start Senior 1 they know the Senior School like the back of their hand which is helpful because it’s quite a big place!
What are some of the Highlights of Transitus?
How about learning, rehearsing and performing an opera all in one day thanks to a workshop with Scottish Opera? Or the infamous Transitus Bake Off... ready, steady bake!
What about Activities Week in the Summer Term where for a whole week the normal timetable is ripped up in favour of excursions and workshops to enrich and enhance educational, physical and personal potential?
The beloved Transitus Valentine’s Dance? Health and Wellbeing Week where experts including life coaches and nutritionists share their wisdom?
The chance to get out your comfort zone and deliver an Assembly to the whole school on an interesting topic as a form class? Or maybe it’s making lots of new lifelong friends!
The move to Senior School is supported via Form Classes, the House System and Sixth Year Buddies, and Transitus is an excellent time to join the HSOG community.
We offer bespoke tours to families year-round, so please contact our Admissions Team to come in and see the High School for yourself and meet with members of staff to discuss our Transitus year further and discover the joy of learning at HSOG.
Extra-Curricular Clubs and Societies
At the High School, we believe that participation is key.
Each and every day there are numerous extra-curricular clubs taking place. From musical ensembles and sporting clubs to arts, crafts and meditation, we are sure there will be an activity to suit each child. Our extra-curricular clubs and societies currently include:
Astronomy Club
Braille & Sign Language Club
Bridge Club
Chamber Choir
Chemistry Club
Chess Club
Classical Theatre Club
Debating Society
Drama Club
Dungeons & Dragons
Historical Film Club
Jazz Band
Junior Choir
Junior Football
Medical Society
Pipe Band
Politics Club
School Newspaper
Scripture Union
Senior Concert Band
Trading Club
Specialist Music Tuition
The school offers 1:1 specialist music tuition for interested pupils. Our tuition is provided by experienced full-time and visiting professional music tutors, offering lessons in a wide variety of instruments from piano, violin and clarinet to bagpipes and drums.
Lessons are conducted throughout the school day in our designated tuition rooms and additional tuition can be arranged outwith school hours. A serious commitment is expected of each and every pupil who receives tuition or takes part in any of our musical groups and ensembles.
Pupils may use their own instruments or hire instruments through a local music shop. There is also a limited stock of instruments available through the school loan scheme.
Should there be a waiting list for places, priority will be given to pupils who are studying music at National 5, Higher or Advanced Higher as it is essential for certificate pupils to have tuition to complete their courses.
When pupils reach a satisfactory standard of performance they may be presented for either ABRSM, Trinity or Rock & Pop examinations and will also be invited to join the numerous choirs, orchestras, bands and ensembles at the Senior School.
Admissions Policy and Application Process
Step 1: Making an Application
Application Information
There are four principal stages for entry:
• Kindergarten - KG1 (from 3rd birthday); KG2 - (Pre-School Year) (please see our separate Kindergarten Admissions Policy)
• Junior 1 (aged 4 or 5 years)
• Transitus (equivalent to Primary 7) (aged 11 years)
• 1st Year (aged 12 years)
Space permitting, children can be admitted to any year group between Kindergarten and Senior 6.
Junior 1 to Senior 6
Applications made through the main admissions process for entry to Junior 1 through to Junior 6 (Junior School) and Transitus to Senior 6 (Senior School) may be submitted at any time up to mid-January, for the following August. Applications for immediate entry can be taken at any time and offers will be subject to availability.
Application Form and Registration Fee
If you would like to apply to the School, please visit our admissions portal via the School website, create a parent account and complete your child’s application form. There is a non-refundable registration fee of £30. This fee applies to Junior 1 to Senior 6 applicants and covers the cost of processing your application, including administering and marking the assessment.
Bursaries
The High School of Glasgow has a Bursary Fund to enable pupils to attend the School who would not otherwise be able to do so. Bursaries are, however, only available at the Senior School, which includes Transitus (Primary 7).
Parents wishing to apply for bursaries should complete the main Admissions Application Form, ticking the box indicating you wish to apply for a bursary. You will then be asked to complete a confidential declaration of financial circumstances. From this declaration, the Bursary Award Committee, who are independent of the Rector, will make their assessment of the appropriate level of bursary assistance. Bursary applicants are notified of the value of the bursary only when a formal offer of a place is made. The School respects the confidentiality of bursary families and no distinction will be made between the holders of bursary and full fee paying pupils.
A bursary will usually continue throughout a child’s time at the Senior School, but the continuation of the bursary is dependent on satisfactory standards of academic achievement and behaviour and continuing financial need.
Step 2: Visiting the School
Annual Open Events
At the Junior School an annual Open Day or Week usually takes place in October/ November, to provide prospective parents and pupils the opportunity to see around the Junior School and Kindergarten (if required). The Head Teacher of the Junior School provides an introduction and overview of the School. There is an opportunity to visit classrooms and other facilities, giving parents an insight into school life.
At the Senior School, the annual Open Evening normally takes place on the first Monday evening in November each year, giving prospective parents and pupils an opportunity to see around the Senior School. Third Year pupil guides escort visitors around classrooms and laboratories where displays and exhibits demonstrate what the School has to offer. The Rector and Head of Senior School provide a brief introduction to the School in the Assembly Hall and refreshments are available in the Refectory in the Jimmie Ireland Stand following the tour, with staff available to answer any questions you may have.
Our Open Events are major events in the admissions calendar, providing parents and children an insight into life at our Kindergarten, Junior and Senior Schools. For this reason we also encourage those who have organised individual visits earlier in the year to attend.
Parents who have applied for places and those considering doing so are all welcome to attend our Open Events with their children.
Visiting the School Throughout the Year
Whilst we have our Open Events, we are also pleased to welcome visitors interested in the School at any point in the year. Please contact the Admissions Team to arrange a bespoke tour.
Step 3: Entrance Assessments, Including
Interviews
Timing
• Junior 1 applicants are invited to the Junior School for an observed session of play from December onwards.
• Junior 2 to Junior 6 Getting to Know You Days will take place during the third week in January, prior to an August date of entry. Getting to Know You Days are held at the Junior School.
• Transitus to Senior 4 Entrance Assessments will take place on the second or third Wednesday in January, prior to an August date of entry. Transitus to Senior 4 Entrance Assessments take place at the Senior School.
• Senior 5 and Senior 6 candidates attend the Senior School for an interview from December onwards.
If the timing of entry differs for your child’s application, we will write to you and give you a date and further details about the assessment.
For candidates applying from outwith Scotland who are unable to attend the Entrance Assessments at the School in January, arrangements can be made for an applicant to undertake our assessments and interviews remotely.
Candidates can take the Entrance Assessment at another time outwith the main admissions process, eg. where there are spaces in the desired year group or with a view to joining the waiting list for a particular year group. Families can confirm the current position regarding spaces in any year group at any time.
Following the completion of the January Entrance Assessment period, admissions can still be submitted. However, active consideration will be dependent upon vacancies and our admissions process.
Entrance Assessment Information
We are not able to offer copies of past assessment papers. We do, however, send an outline syllabus to all Senior School applicants with information about topics covered in the English and Maths papers to help your child prepare.
Support for Learning / Medical Requirements
The High School operates an Accessibility Policy and the organisation of Entrance Assessments may be adapted to ensure that pupils with a disability are not disadvantaged unfairly. For this purpose, the parents of all applicants will be asked to complete a Personal Information Form, indicating any requirements which the School should take into account prior to their assessment. For example, a child with an identified learning difficulty may receive a dispensation of extra time for each written paper, or a child with a physical difficulty may require special arrangements.
Guidelines for Entrance Assessments
For entry to Junior 1
Applicants will be invited to attend the Junior School for a play assessment of each child’s readiness to benefit from our educational setting. This is an observed session of play within our Kindergarten setting, lasting approximately 45 minutes. Entry to Junior 1 is dependent on the number of pupils moving from the previous session’s Kindergarten.
For entry to Junior 2 - Junior 6
Applicants will experience a day immersed within a class, where we can assess performance in literacy and numeracy. A report of academic progress, social skills and participation/aptitude in expressive arts and extra-curricular activities will be requested from each candidate’s current primary school.
For entry to Transitus and 1st Year
The assessment consists of papers in English and Maths and tests of potential in reasoning; in addition, a report on academic progress, social skills and participation/ aptitude in expressive arts and extra-curricular activities requested from each candidate’s current school is also taken into consideration. As the final stage of assessment, those pupils who perform well in these assessments (see Admissions Policy Criteria for Selection) are invited back the following week with their parent(s) for interview; each candidate has a 1:1 interview with a member of the Senior Leadership Team - including the Rector or Head of Senior School.
For entry to 2nd to 4th Year
The assessment consists of papers in English and Maths, and tests of verbal and nonverbal reasoning (for 2nd and 3rd Year applicants only). Occasionally and when required, applicants can also be asked to nominate two subjects they wish to study at National 5, which will involve an interview with the relevant Heads of Departments for each subject. There will be an interview with the Rector and/or another member of the Senior Leadership Team; in addition, a report on academic progress, social skills and participation/aptitude in expressive arts and extra-curricular activities requested from each candidate’s current school is also taken into consideration.
For entry to 5th and 6th Years
The assessment consists of interviews with the Rector and/or a member of the Senior Leadership Team, evidence of the candidate’s performance at their current school on the national qualifications courses being studied and, where it exists, information on attainment in SQA examinations. In addition, a report on academic progress, social skills and participation in expressive arts and extra-curricular activities requested from each candidate’s current school is also taken into consideration. For an overseas candidate where English is not their first language, it should be noted the assessment also includes an English paper. It is usually possible to admit extra pupils at these year groups.
Step 4: Offers of Places and Results
Criteria for Offers of Places
The High School offers places to pupils based upon the aptitudes and abilities displayed by the pupil across the assessment process. The assessment is based on performance from our observed play sessions, Getting to Know You Days (for Junior School) and in Entrance Assessments, interviews and information on academic progress, social skills and participation/aptitude in expressive arts and extra-curricular activities (for Senior School). A report is requested from each candidate’s current school.
Where the School is over-subscribed at any age group, performance in all aspects of the assessment process is taken into account. At Transitus and 1st Year entry, only those who perform well in the written Entrance Assessment are invited for subsequent interview. When we assess academic performance potential, we do so primarily by referring to the scores of the peer group being assessed and to the number of places available, and we also have regard to benchmark scoring for previous assessment exercises.
As a family school, particular consideration will be given to siblings of brothers and sisters currently attending the School, if the aptitudes and abilities displayed in the Entrance Assessment demonstrate that the pupil would benefit from the School’s educational provision. Likewise, consideration will be given to the children of families who have existing or previous connections with the School.
The School can offer reasonable assistance to pupils who have additional support needs and there are highly experienced Support for Learning Teachers at the Junior School and Senior School. However, pupils need to display the ability and aptitude for a mainstream school.
Notification of Results/Confirmation of Entry
For Junior 1, applicants will be informed of results as soon as is reasonably possible after they have undertaken their observed play session. Acceptance of places can be confirmed at any stage. However, families are not obliged to confirm their decision until the agreed deadline during the middle of February set by the Glasgow Independent Schools.
For applicants at Junior 2 to Senior 4, offers are sent by mail within the first two weeks in February according to the agreement between the Glasgow Independent Schools. Those who have performed well but have not been successful in securing places may be offered a waiting list place. Acceptance of places and waiting list places is required by the Thursday fourteen days later. The Head Teacher (Junior School) or Senior Leadership (Senior School) can be consulted if further explanation of the School’s decision is desired.
For 5th and 6th Year, applicants will be informed of outcomes as soon as is reasonably possible once all known candidates have been interviewed. Where possible we would aim to inform candidates of offers before the end of the Spring Term.
Please note, where your child is coming through the application process outwith the main admissions period, the School will endeavour to come back to you with its decision as soon as possible.
Fees and Bursaries
Fees
The fee scales for our Junior and Senior School are decided annually by our Board of Governors.
Our Kindergarten works in partnership with East Dunbartonshire Council. As funded partners we deliver 1140 funded hours during our core hours of 8:45am-3:10pm. Outwith funded hours, we offer additional paid-for childcare, including our Wraparound Care service.
These fees include tuition, text books, essential extras such as stationery and art materials, charges for swimming, transport for games and some extra-curricular activities, and personal accident insurance for each pupil. School uniform is not included in the fees.
Please visit our website for information on fees for the current school session.
Payment
The method of fee settlement will be by Direct Debit Mandate only, available from the Finance Department, with payments being made on the first day of the Autumn Term, 1st December and 1st April. The mandate will either settle payment in full each term or, alternatively, settle payment in ten equal monthly instalments based on the annual estimated fee bill commencing on the first day of the Autumn Term. Parents have the option of paying a full year’s fees on the first day of the Autumn Term. More than a single year’s fees can also be paid in advance, if a parent chooses to do so.
A full term’s notice is required in writing to the Rector or the Head Teacher of the Junior School, prior to the removal of a pupil; otherwise the following term’s fee will be due in lieu of notice. When fees are paid late interest will be charged at a rate of 4% over the Clydesdale Bank base rate from the date the fee is due. Requests to pay late in special circumstances are, however, treated sympathetically.
Parents who have more than two children attending school at the same time will receive a fee reduction of 25% for the third child and a 50% reduction for any subsequent children. Parents who have more than two children at the School but feel that they do not require fee reductions are invited to pay full fees and donate the reduction to the School’s Bursary Fund which provides assistance to school families in times of need and enables children from less advantaged families to attend the School. Parents who wish to waive fee reductions in favour of the Bursary Fund are asked to contact the Rector or the Chief Operating Officer and their generosity will be greatly appreciated.
Bursaries
The School operates a Bursary Fund from Transitus (P7) year onwards, administered by The High School of Glasgow Educational Trust, to give assistance with fees in cases of need. Pupils take the Entrance Assessment in the normal way and parents are required to provide, in confidence, full details of their financial circumstances. Further information about Bursaries, which are only offered in the Senior School, is available from the Admissions Team.
Senior Leadership Team
Rector
Mr John O’Neill
Senior School
Head of Senior School
Mr Kenneth Robertson
Deputy Head Teachers
Mrs Sharon Sangster (Academic)
Mr Philip Graham (Pastoral)
Mr Iain Leighton (Teaching and Learning)
Junior School
Head Teacher
Miss Heather Fuller
Deputy Head Teacher
Mrs Gail Morrans
Mrs Maggie Pollock