Leith Academy

[Hibee]

My father went to Leith Academy between about 1918 and 1928. Were there any fees payable during this period?

Thanks.

Hibee

[Currie]

Hello Hibee, sorry for such a slow reply.

See this Wiki about Trinity Academy, opening of Craighall Road School, in 1894. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity_Academy

“The Board intended making all the elementary departments fee-paying, waiving fees only for the secondary, but a dissenting member wanted free education and complained to the Scottish Office. He pointed to friction at Leith Academy, with those paying fees looking down on those who did not.” 'Objection was raised against their presence, as, being lower caste, they were injurious to the school,' he wrote. The majority prevailed and fees were paid at Trinity until the comprehensive schooling debate, three-quarters of a century later.

I hope you can see this preview of "One Boy's Dinner Please" : memories of life and work in Edinburgh, 1942-1974, by Alan Bews, Chapter 5, pages 13 to 17.
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=89T ... 22&f=false

He was enrolled at Leith Academy at age 5 in 1947. He used to wonder why he was sent to a fee-paying school as almost all the children in his area went to the local school in Abbeyhill. His father was an engine-driver and received slightly higher wages than average. Apparently his mother was the one who wanted him to go to a fee-paying school.

So Leith Academy was known as a fee-paying school. Perhaps the 1894 mention of some not paying fees were to do with receiving tuition free because they were disadvantaged in some way? There’s mention in Parliamentary papers in the years just prior to WW1, of grants being made to Leith Academy, and bursaries, but no details.

Hope that helps,
Alan

[Hibee]

Great answer, Alan. Thank you.

Now to find out whether fees were paid, by my grandparents, for my father's education.

Hibee