Bathgate Academy


Bathgate Academy is a mixed secondary school in Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland, also serving the nearby town of Blackburn.

History

Established by the will of John Newland in 1799, the school was originally located on Marjoribanks Street; its main building dates from 1833 and was designed by R & R Dickson. In 1965, the Academy merged with Lindsay High School and moved fully to a new campus further east at Boghall two years later. The existing Lindsay High building on Kirk Road was taken over by the local Catholic school, St Mary's Academy, which already had its own buildings next door – all were demolished in 1994. From 1970 to 1988, the rector was Ian McGregor.

The original Academy building was taken over by West Lothian College in the 1960s when the secondary school moved to its current location – it was also used as annexe to Balbardie Primary School in the 1960s and 70s. After the college moved to new premises in Livingston, the old Academy lay unused for several years in the early 21st century before being converted to apartments, forming the centrepiece of a development. Now, The school has a roll of around 1200 pupils and 85 staff. The current headteacher is Eileen Paxton.

Notable former pupils