Founded in 1897, it is set in the pretty village of Kilmacolm, in pleasant country surroundings and within easy access to Glasgow. The junior and senior school buildings are about a quarter of a mile apart. Over the past decade major investments have improved facilities, and further development is planned for the senior school. Originally a girls' school, it has been co-educational since 1978 and now has equal numbers of boys and girls. A sound general education is provided and academic results are very good. Extra-curricular activities, including sport, debating, music, drama, art and the Duke of Edinburgh Award are extremely popular; music is particularly strong. There is a school transport service and after-school care facilities.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18, 730 day pupils (365 boys, 365 girls). Junior school, 3-11, 375 pupils (186 boys, 189 girls). Senior school 11-18, 355 pupils (179 boys, 176 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 4, 5, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used. State school entry, 20% senior intake (few to sixth form); 80+% of senior intake from own junior school.
19 bursaries available annually, up to 100% of fees. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.
Rector: David G Girdwood, appointed 2002. Educated at universities of St Andrews, Stirling and Edinburgh. Previously Head of Upper School and Head of Science at Stewart's Melville College. Teaching staff: 55 full time, 17 part time. Annual turnover 6%. Average age approx 40
S-grade: On average, 60 pupils in S-grade year: 36% pass in 8+ subjects; 64% in 5-7 subjects. Highers: 65 in higher year: 77% pass in 5+ subjects; 17% in 4; 4% in 3 subjects. Advanced Highers: 48 in 6th year: 35% pupils passed in 3 subjects; 33% in 2; and 33% in 1 subject.
97% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (6% after a gap year). On average 18% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 20% in science and engineering, 4% in law, 9% in humanities and social sciences, 6% in art and design, 33% in accountancy and business studies, 6% in vocational subjects such as sport, teaching. Others typically go on to HND courses.
S-grade and Highers, Advanced Highers: 16 subjects offered. 66% take science Advanced Highers; 33% arts/humanities. Pupils take Highers as well as, or instead of, Advanced Highers. Vocational: Work experience available; SQA modules in computing, word-processing and cooking. Languages: French (from age 5), German and Spanish (from 13) all offered at S-grade, Higher and Advanced Higher. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. Over 150 computers for pupil use, all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Over 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include 2 orchestras, jazz band, pipe band and 5 choirs. Senior choir and orchestra take part in services on TV and radio. Drama: Drama offered. ESB exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school and house or other productions. Art and design: On average, 24 take S-grade, 10 Higher, 7 Advanced Higher. Pottery and textiles also offered.
Sport: Rugby, hockey, tennis, athletics, badminton, gymnastics, swimming, volleyball, basketball, soccer, dance (girls), orienteering compulsory. Optional: netball, squash, cricket, golf, skiing/snowboarding, curling, yoga, weight-training. Sixth form only: windsurfing. BAGA exams may be taken. National players in athletics, rugby, hockey, swimming, curling, badminton, golf, basketball and cricket. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional. 20+ clubs, including chess, public-speaking, sporting, music, drama.
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects - elected by fifth and sixth forms. Religion: Christian; compulsory morning assembly twice a week. Social: School dances, Burns supper, drama show, sports dinner. Organised trips abroad to France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Germany, Canada, rugby and hockey tours, music tour to Europe, pipe band tours, sixth-form motivational trip, outward bound activity trips and residential field trips. Meals self-service; morning snack bar in senior school.
Zero tolerance. Pupils' conduct is expected to be of the highest at all times. Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect additional work or order marks.
Former Pupils Association, c/o the school (fps@st-columbas.org)
Eleanor Laing MP; Mairi Hedderwick (author); Vicky Jack (author who also climbed Mount Everest).
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