Shawlands Academy was Glasgow's designated International School and one of Scotland's most multicultural schools.[1] It was situated in Shawlands, between Pollok Park (and its Burrell Collection) and Queen's Park.
Shawlands Academy had around 1,250 students[2] and over 100 teachers.
Shawlands Academy dated from 1857 when there was a private school of the same name located nearby in Skirving Street. This private school became state-owned and was then called Crossmyloof Annexe. It served as a feeder school for Shawlands Academy in the 1960s. The Shawlands Academy we know today opened its doors over 118 years ago in 1894 in the nearby building on Pollokshaws Road which now houses Shawlands Primary School.
Pluralism
Shawlands was noted for its pluralism.[3] In the 1960s, the school had a particularly high density of Jewish pupils, and was one of the few state schools in Scotland to offer Hebrew as a curriculum subject. Reflecting its status as Glasgow International School, Shawlands taught many modern languages, including Urdu. According to a survey in 2006, over 50 languages were spoken in the playground.[4]