MANY pupils from all eras dream at some point of seeing the spectacular demise of their school - usually just before homework is due in or the exams are due to start.

But the pupils from Hutchesons' Boys School really did see it happen when their building was demolished in November 1969.

The school itself, founded almost 400 years ago, is still going strong, having moved several times during its history.

It was formed when George Hutcheson left funds for a hospital in 1639, with Thomas Hutcheson adding to the bequest in 1641. Schooling began in the hospital in Trongate in 1648 and the first boys enrolled in 1683.

Its first move came in 1805, when it shifted to Ingram Street, with a new boys' school built in Crown Street, Gorbals in 1841 - the school's home until 1960.

Girls joined the roll in 1876 - at a building in Elgin Street, and later moved to Kingarth Street, in Pollokshields in 1912.

In 1960, a new boys' school was opened in Crossmyloof and nine years later the Crown Street tower was demolished - too late for some pupils' exams, no doubt!