Harlaw Academy

Harlaw Academy is a six-year comprehensive secondary school situated 200 yards from the junction of Union Street and Holburn Street in the centre of Aberdeen, Scotland. It is directly adjacent to St Margaret's School for Girls. The academy draws most of its pupils from its associated primary schools, namely, Broomhill Primary School, Ferryhill Primary School and Kaimhill Primary School. David Innes has been headteacher since January 2013.It was founded as the Aberdeen High School for Girls in 1874. The first school building was raised at Little Belmont Street. The first building at 19 Albyn Place was designed by Archibald Simpson, a prominent architect of the late 19th century. Harlaw used to have a primary department but it was phased out and the last primary pupils moved up in 1971. Harlaw become co-educational in 1974.HistoryThe school began in 1874 in the buildings in Little Belmont Street that had been known as the Town Schools, later the English School. It was an elementary school received government grants, but there was an understanding that its status would be altered if the demand for higher education should warrant it. In practice its secondary work started in 1878 and in March 1881 the School Board, by a resolution in terms of the Education (Scotland) Act of 1872, declared the school a Higher-Class School. Its name was changed from the English School to the Aberdeen High School for Girls.In 1891 Mrs. Elmslie's Institution at 19 Albyn Place was bought for the school. This house was built by Archibald Simpson. After alteration to the interior the school moved there in 1893. As the school grew, extensions were made. 18 Albyn Place was acquired in 1920 and after a destructive fire in 1935 major reconstructions were planned. These were completed after the Second World War. This work was undertaken by J.A.O. Allan and D.J.A. Ross for the Corporation of Aberdeen.