Old academy plaque to be put on display
Crowdfunding effort made by school pupils
A plaque to mark the spot where Perth Academy once stood is to be put in place.
Listed building consent has been granted by Perth and Kinross Council to have the commemorative plaque put in place on the old academy buildings on Rose Terrace, the site overlooking the North Inch where the secondary school once stood.
Pupils attended Perth Academy at 6-7 Rose Terrace in the city centre during the Victorian era, until the academy moved to its current location on Viewlands Road West in 1932.
Ever since, there has been no plaque to identify the old academy buildings - until now.
The idea has been pioneered by former teacher Dave Dykes, who has been trying to document the history of the school, and David MacLehose from Perth Civic Trust.
Dave Dykes explained: “The idea came about because we have had families visiting the school to find out about the school’s history.
“In 1807 the school moved to Rose Terrace, but there is nothing to show it was the academy and we thought we could do something about it.”
A group of pupils at the school called Flowers of the Forest, who have spent the past four years helping Dave Dykes find out about the school’s former pupils who died during the First World War (1914-1918), have been raising money for the past year to help make this dream a reality.
Dave continued: “£800 was raised through crowdfunding, and a lot of the donations were anonymous. Once we raised the money we just needed to wait for planning consent, but that’s gone through now.
“The old academy was also the place of the school’s original war memorial, so that is good to mark as well for people. Everyone is looking forward to it.”
The plaque, which will be embellished with the school’s logo and motto, will read: “This A listed building designed by architect Sir Robert Reid was the site of Perth Academy from 1807 until 1932 when
The plaque will be put outside the old academy buildings the academy moved to Viewlands.
“This plaque is dedicated to pupils and staff who fought and made the ultimate sacrifice in the Great War 1914-1918.”
It is hoped the plaque will be officially unveiled at the school’s annual prize-giving ceremony at the end of June.