History of the School
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Erected for Govan Parish School Board, Hillhead Public School was opened on Monday, 13 April 1885. The original building fronted onto Sardinia Terrace (now Cecil Street) - this building is now used by Hillhead primary School.
An enrolment of 200 pupils of all ages on the first forenoon, and 300 more by the end of term, proved that the expanding burgh suburb of Hillhead had indeed required a school. As Hillhead's reputation grew, its numbers increased. By 1894, when it was recognised as a full secondary school by Govan Parish School Board, who then began to refer to it as "Hillhead High School", the roll was 900.
Those numbers, and the demands of an ever-widening curriculum, have meant that almost since 1885, the school had been too small to meet the demands made upon it. In 1904-05 a major extension was built, when the northern wing on the Great Western Road side was added and the attics built up to complete a full top flat. Almost immediately, more accommodation was required. In 1908 two laboratories were built "on the roof" of the new wing, and those in use converted into classrooms. Partitions gave two extra rooms on the second floor, and the hall was furnished and divided into three classrooms - again by movable partitions.
Erected for Govan Parish School Board, Hillhead Public School was opened on Monday, 13 April 1885. The original building fronted onto Sardinia Terrace (now Cecil Street) - this building is now used by Hillhead primary School.
An enrolment of 200 pupils of all ages on the first forenoon, and 300 more by the end of term, proved that the expanding burgh suburb of Hillhead had indeed required a school. As Hillhead's reputation grew, its numbers increased. By 1894, when it was recognised as a full secondary school by Govan Parish School Board, who then began to refer to it as "Hillhead High School", the roll was 900.
Those numbers, and the demands of an ever-widening curriculum, have meant that almost since 1885, the school had been too small to meet the demands made upon it. In 1904-05 a major extension was built, when the northern wing on the Great Western Road side was added and the attics built up to complete a full top flat. Almost immediately, more accommodation was required. In 1908 two laboratories were built "on the roof" of the new wing, and those in use converted into classrooms. Partitions gave two extra rooms on the second floor, and the hall was furnished and divided into three classrooms - again by movable partitions.
the engraving reads "knowledge is foresight, foresight is power"
The classes made homeless by these operations were housed in No.8 Alfred Terrace. Meanwhile "The House", number 12 Cecil Street, had been acquired and furnished as an annexe, and on 17th may 1909, when displaced pupils returned from Alfred Terrace, others were moved to "The House" which was in use until 1931. Another house, no.40 Cecil Street, was utilised from 1928 - 31.
By 1913, space was once again a problem. Despite the outbreak of war in 1914, the Oakfield Avenue (it was then Wilson Street) site was secured by 1915 for a new Secondary school. Building began in 1929 and the new school was officially opened on 15th September 1931. The building, estimated originally to cost £183,000, had in fact been put up for £75,000. The saving was mainly achieved by omitting the top storey and the swimming bath which had been part of the original plan. However, many thousands of pounds had to be spent even in the first year to strengthen materials and improve workmanship so that the building could be safely used. In 1961 an extension was built in the form of a new block erected in the playground.
In August 1999 Hillhead was relocated to the former Woodside buildings on Berkeley Street. Former Woodside Secondary pupils joined the Hillhead High roll, bringing it to around 1,100.
In August 2001 Hillhead High returned to Oakfield Avenue, to a refurbished school, and an additional Terrace Building.
The classes made homeless by these operations were housed in No.8 Alfred Terrace. Meanwhile "The House", number 12 Cecil Street, had been acquired and furnished as an annexe, and on 17th may 1909, when displaced pupils returned from Alfred Terrace, others were moved to "The House" which was in use until 1931. Another house, no.40 Cecil Street, was utilised from 1928 - 31.
By 1913, space was once again a problem. Despite the outbreak of war in 1914, the Oakfield Avenue (it was then Wilson Street) site was secured by 1915 for a new Secondary school. Building began in 1929 and the new school was officially opened on 15th September 1931. The building, estimated originally to cost £183,000, had in fact been put up for £75,000. The saving was mainly achieved by omitting the top storey and the swimming bath which had been part of the original plan. However, many thousands of pounds had to be spent even in the first year to strengthen materials and improve workmanship so that the building could be safely used. In 1961 an extension was built in the form of a new block erected in the playground.
In August 1999 Hillhead was relocated to the former Woodside buildings on Berkeley Street. Former Woodside Secondary pupils joined the Hillhead High roll, bringing it to around 1,100.
In August 2001 Hillhead High returned to Oakfield Avenue, to a refurbished school, and an additional Terrace Building.