Subject specialisation in S1/S2

Introduction

Grange Academy is one of four secondary schools in Kilmarnock and one of nine within East Ayrshire Council. It is a six-year, co-educational, non-denominational, comprehensive secondary school serving the areas of Bellfield, Crosshouse, Shortlees and the Grange/Howard area in the town of Kilmarnock. In 2002/03 the roll comprised 1179 pupils including 22 pupils with records of needs. There were 81.1 FTE members of teaching staff. 13.9 per cent of pupils were in receipt of free school meals. Hearing and visually impaired pupils attend the school and support units are in place to ensure integration within the curriculum. 

The school is situated within a private housing estate approximately one mile outside the town centre. Approximately half of the pupils attending Grange Academy live on local authority council estates. Footwear and clothing grants apply to almost 28 per cent of pupils. In 2001/02 the staying-on rate from S4 to S5 was 69 per cent and was 75 per cent from S5 to S6. About 17 per cent of school leavers enter full-time further education and about one-third enters higher education. Historically, the economy of the area has been based on manufacturing and extractive industries. The current unemployment rate of 7.8 per cent in East Ayrshire reflects the recent decline experienced by these industrial sectors.