IN the early 1990s, St Andrew's in Carntyne was typical of many East End schools - underperforming, in a deprived area and with unmotivated pupils.
IN the early 1990s, St Andrew's in Carntyne was typical of many East End schools - underperforming, in a deprived area and with unmotivated pupils.
Three years ago - in an incredible transformation - it became the first state secondary to be awarded "excellents" in five categories by school inspectors.
TIMES FILEMANY people educated in the East End have found fame.Both Lord of the Rings actor Billy Boyd and comedy actor Gerard Kelly attended Cranhill schools as did AC/DC musicians Angus and Malcolm Young. Shettleston was home to ex-editor of the Evening Times and The Times Charles Wilson, writer Cliff Hanley and football pundit Archie Macpherson. Actor John Cairney grew up in Parkhead and singer Lulu was born in Dennistoun, which was home to ex-Scotland team boss Alex McLeish, chef Gordon Ramsay, actress Dorothy Paul and comedian Rikki Fulton. Footballer Kenny Dalglish was born in Dalmarnock as was trombonist George Chisholm. Journalist Jack House was born in Tollcross and blues legend Frankie Miller is from Bridgeton. |
Much of the credit has been laid at the door of head teacher Bruce Malone, who earned a CBE in 1998 for his efforts in turning round the school's fortunes.
The then Prime Minister Tony Blair - who had opened the school's new campus in 2002 - wrote a letter of congratulation to Mr Malone in the wake of the report.
But Mr Malone is anxious to point out he is not a one-man band - the success has been a team effort from the teachers through to the pupils, parents and janitors.
One of the school's depute heads, Stewart Gallagher, started teaching in 1977 at St Gregory's Secondary in Carntyne and joined the staff of St Andrew's when the two schools merged in 1991.
Mr Gallagher, 60, who will retire in the summer, said the rise in unemployment in the 70s and 80s had a negative effect on the school.
He added: "All the motivation was ebbed away. Unemployment and things like the sale of council houses and the creation of ghettos' crept into the school's catchment area.
"There was a long period of frustration because the youngsters did not feel motivated and a lot of people were moving out of the area.
"A lot of families in the area were people who were pretty disinterested to begin with - it was hard to get them thinking about careers because all they could see was unemployment.
"Carntyne has a rough reputation but it is amazing the number of young people who live in the middle of a tough area but who can come into school and achieve."
Mr Gallagher said he could "write a book" about the depressing living conditions of some of the youngsters he has taught.
He added: "Back then you saw a lot of poverty and deprivation that you don't see now.
"There were children who did not have proper shoes to wear to school.
"I have been in some of their houses and they had no carpets and floorboards missing - in one house they had sackcloth on the windows because they had been smashed.
"In many cases the parents knew very little about hygiene - but they could be living in the same street as people who had great aspirations for their children.
"As a teacher sometimes you have to be severe with them, at other times you have to praise them.
"Now we are providing courses that make more sense to the pupils. The bubble has burst about getting everyone into university, instead we need to get people into college and ready for work.
"Work experience is on the up and up. It is important for us to improve their reading and writing and communication skills and give them experience of the world of work."
Mr Gallagher said the glowing HMI report was a massive boost to the school.
He said: "I think it was a shock to some people because it was a school in the East End of Glasgow.
"But it just goes to show that you can live in Bearsden or Cranhill and still have a range of people with great strengths and abilities.
"The academic achievements in this school just show that they can do it here if they are led in the right direction."
College helps to improve skills . . .
WHEN John Wheatley College opened in Shettleston in 1989, the principal Andrew McCallum said the aim was to "close the skills gap" that existed in the East End.
Twenty years later the college - now in an impressive new building in Haghill - has become the biggest provider of vocational courses to people in some of the city's poorest areas.
Principal Ian Graham was an assistant director of education with Strathclyde Regional Council and remembers when the college was in its planning stages.
He said: "I can recall coming out here and the housebuilding was so grim it was unbelievable. Now you have to pinch yourself once in a while to remind yourself that it is the same community."
When the college, which is named after the MP for Shettleston who reformed the housing system, opened it had around 900 students. Today it has 7000.
Mr Graham is optimistic about the regeneration work going on in the East End, especially the two major road projects, the M74 extension and the East End Regeneration Route.
He is also hopeful the work his college does will continue to reap rewards.
"A young man who came to us had left school with no qualifications. He is now a chef at Gleneagles Hotel. We are not the solution for everyone, but we are a second chance for many youngsters."
