The exterior of the school from Riverview Drive
|
|
Established | 1980 |
---|---|
Type | Secondary School |
Headteacher | Lesley Adam |
Location |
Riverview Drive Dyce, Aberdeen AB21 7NF Scotland |
Staff | 90 (approx) |
Students | 560 |
Gender | Mixed |
Ages | 11–18 |
School Years | S1 - S6 |
Website | dyceacademy |
Coordinates: 57°12′19.74″N 2°10′26.73″W / 57.2054833°N 2.1740917°W
Dyce Academy is the only state secondary school in Dyce, a small suburb of Aberdeen, Scotland serving as the sole provider of secondary education. Dyce Academy's catchment area includes the suburb of Dyce and the nearby village of Newmachar though some pupils do attend from other nearby areas, such as Bucksburn and Stoneywood.
The school's construction began in the late seventies and was completed in 1980. The building has typical architecture of state schools of the period, with concrete in abundance. The main section of the building has three floors hosting various departments whilst the PE, Drama, Technical and Music departments are in various 'wings' which come off of the building.
Dyce Academy was for most its life, a uniform free school. However after the original head teacher's retirement in 2008 a dress code of black and white was brought in a year later. There is a now a red tie which is optional for students in 1st to 3rd year but however compulsory for senior pupils.
Since 2001 Dyce Academy has been host to the Aberdeen City Music School (also known as ACMS) which is a music school in Scotland. Under this programme, 'special' students travel to Dyce to be taught advanced music whilst still engaging with the national curriculum. The ACMS provides lodging beside the school for pupils who come from more than three miles away.
Dyce Academy is host to one of Aberdeen's MICAS bases, a support system which helps school age pupils diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) the chance to be educated at a mainstream school. The numbers are limited to eight pupils to allow for the base to be a peaceful place away from the crowded mainstream classroom.
In 2004, a former pupil of the school, Natalie King, launched a law suit against Aberdeen council, seeking £20,000 compensation on the basis of her claims that she was bullied at schools in the area, including Dyce Academy, and that the teachers failed to protect her. In 2006 it was reported that King had dropped her legal action.