History of Queen Victoria School Dunblane

Thu, Sep 8th 2016 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

History of Queen Victoria School Dunblane

Old Photograph Queen Victoria School Dunblane Scotland

HISTORY OF QUEEN VICTORIA SCHOOL, DUNBLANE.

Rotarian Jill Adams, a teacher Queen Victoria School in Dunblane, gave members of the Bridge of Allan and Dunblane Rotary Club an interesting insight into the origins and subsequent history of the School. She was accompanied by the current Senior- and Deputy-Head Monitors, Amy and Jordan, who answered members’ questions about current life in the School. 

Jill revealed that the School was originally planned as a means of providing support and education for those left fatherless as a result of the Boer War, in which a considerable number of Scottish soldiers were killed. In due course, entrance to the School was made available to children of parents serving in all three services. The proposal for the School followed similar provision made in England and Ireland, and it was also seen as a fitting war memorial for the Scottish soldiers who had given their lives. The idea for the School was proposed to Queen Victoria who gave her support, and, although the School was completed and opened after her death, the School subsequently was named in her honour.

The initial concept was to build the School in, or close to, Edinburgh or Glasgow, but, in the absence of agreement which of the two would be the better home for the School, it was decided that Dunblane, virtually equidistant between the two cities, would be a good compromise.   Jill revealed that, at the time of its construction, Dunblane locals named the somewhat austere building “the Jam Factory”.

Money to provide for the building was raised by soldiers giving up a day’s pay, and by support from local authorities and businesses across Scotland. The School was opened on 28 September 1908 by King Edward VII, with the Chapel being completed in 1910.

As a matter of record, the School is now unique, being the only school in the UK managed and funded by the Ministry of Defence.

Initially, the School was run on the lines of a military institution, with a Commandant and a supporting team of soldiers.  The emphasis in the education provision was on preparing the boys – for it was only boys who were admitted to the school – for a trade.  It wasn’t until 1996 that girls were admitted.

In its earlier days, the School provided a somewhat austere education, with a good deal of emphasis on military training and sports.  Some of that early tradition is maintained by a ceremonial pipe band, the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) section and Scottish dancers, each of which plays an important part in School life.  Each pupil joins the CCF and, in addition, must choose to become a piper or drummer in the band, or to perform as a Scottish dancer.  For some 40 years the pipe band played at every rugby home international at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh.  More recently, dancers from the School have travelled abroad and have also entertained visitors to the Edinburgh Tattoo. Also retaining its earliest identity, the School maintains the "colours", has its own cap badge, and pupils wear the Clan Stewart hunting tartan.

Various buildings have been added over the years, including the Macmillan Sports Hall built to mark 50 years of the School’s existence. Other changes have included the move to a staff comprised almost entirely of civilians.

The School has welcomed a succession of Royal visitors including George V and Queen Mary, the current Queen and Princess Anne, and a number of senior military figures.

Following a lively question and answer session, Alan Lee, Speaker’s Host, thanked Jill, Amy and Jordan for a fascinating insight into the history and life of Queen Victoria School. 

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