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The Herald Scotland

Kelvinside: All pupils deserve a front row seat in modern education

Back in Glasgow's West End, his proud parents, friends and family gathered to watch the awards on television. Just a few streets away, teachers and pupils at Kelvinside Academy – the school Blair left just a few years earlier – were celebrating too, cheering one of their own as he reached such dazzling heights. 'As a community, we celebrate so many of our Academicals' achievements,' says Daniel Wyatt, Rector of Kelvinside Academy since 2019. 'Although we haven't had too many Grammys to cheer for!' Now based in Los Angeles, Ferguson regularly returns to his former school, encouraging pupils, connecting with teachers and former schoolmates, judging music competitions, and sharing his journey. After his win, he credited Kelvinside – and 'Mr Wyatt', as he still respectfully calls him – in helping spark the ambitions that led him to success. Of course, not every pupil will pursue a music career, Wyatt said, but what matters is the opportunity. 'Whether their dream is to play a role in the school show or perform at Carnegie Hall, every pupil has access to the tools and the support they need to succeed – regardless of what they choose to pursue.' This philosophy lies at the heart of Kelvinside Academy's new campaign – Every Seat is a Front Row Seat. More than a campaign, it captures the school's belief that smaller, tightly-knit learning communities offer pupils a front-row experience – not just in the classroom, but in every performance, project, and opportunity. With just over 600 pupils from ages three to 18, Kelvinside stands apart in a sector often dominated by large, high-pressure environments. 'At our size, no one slips through the cracks,' Wyatt explained. 'Every child is known, seen and heard – and that builds confidence, resilience, and ambition.' The campaign launches as education – across both public and private sectors – faces mounting pressure. From industrial action and teacher shortages to national debates about fee-paying schools, the context is changing rapidly. For Wyatt, the 20% VAT on independent school fees is just one example of short-term policy lacking long-term vision. 'If a government wants an end to fee-paying schools, then it should provide an alternative that makes the sector unnecessary. That's not where we are right now,' he said. 'It's the first government to ever impose VAT on education, and it's pricing parents out of making a choice they believe is right for their child. Parents make enormous sacrifices to access an education that aligns with their values. They trust us with their children and their futures – and that responsibility drives us in everything we do,' he added. (Image: Kelvinside Academy Rector Daniel Wyatt) For many families, Kelvinside's appeal lies in its rejection of a one-size-fits-all approach. Wyatt, who next year marks 30 years in education, believes the current curriculum too often prioritises performance over real learning – especially in the senior years where he believes pupils are 'over assessed'. 'You don't dig up a plant every day to check its roots – you nurture it with water and sunlight and let it grow. S4, S5 and S6 pupils are being assessed more than they're being educated. That's not what learning should be. Reform of education should be looking for more time between assessments to let children develop and we must be open to alternative forms of assessments in addition to the prevalence of high-stakes, one-off exams that we have now. Kelvinside, by contrast, embraces a more thoughtful, experience-led model. Its independence allows it to move quickly, innovate, and place pupil wellbeing and intellectual curiosity at the centre of the school experience. At junior level, pupils are encouraged to learn through play in engaging contemporary environments, and are introduced to modern educational essentials such as coding at an early age. 'Progressive education doesn't mean throwing out rigour,' Wyatt adds. 'It means understanding the child in front of you and tailoring the journey. That's only possible when your school community is small enough to truly know every pupil.' This level of personalisation, he says, enables Kelvinside pupils to thrive – academically, socially, emotionally, and culturally. It also fosters deep, lasting connections that extend beyond school. 'One of our greatest strengths is our alumni network. Former pupils come back to mentor, to speak at events, to help current students imagine what's possible. Hundreds turn out to school reunions. That kind of connection doesn't happen by accident – it's intentional, it's powerful, and it's inherently Kelvinside.' From sporting success to musical achievement, academic excellence to entrepreneurial spirit, Kelvinside has a proud record across disciplines. Yet for Wyatt, the school's biggest strength is its community – one where pupils are encouraged to take part, take risks, and take pride in themselves. 'In larger schools, it's easy to get lost in the crowd,' he reflects. 'Here, every child is front and centre. They're not just part of the system – they help shape it.' With Scottish education facing increased scrutiny – from disappointing PISA scores to questions around curriculum reform – Kelvinside is doubling down on its core values – care, connection and character. 'We believe that challenge creates character, and character creates strong children – that's what we want to build,' says Wyatt. 'And to do that, we must build a strong environment around them – one that celebrates effort, values individuality and believes in potential.' In an increasingly competitive and uncertain education landscape, Every Seat is a Front Row Seat offers a reminder that bigger isn't always better – and that sometimes, the most powerful education comes from the smaller dynamic community. For families seeking more than just exam results – for those looking for a school that nurtures identity, ambition and belonging – Kelvinside Academy offers a front-row view of what education truly can be. ----------------------------------------------------------- THE KELVINSIDE ACADEMY ROUTE FROM CLASSROOM TO CAREER ... MALIHA Shoaib (Class of 2018) is a reporter at Vogue Business, where she covers the evolving global luxury fashion market and how brands can future-proof themselves. A winner of the Vogue Business Talent Competition in 2020, she now also sits on the Professional Publishers Association's first-ever Next Gen Board for under-30s. Maliha studied English and World Philosophies at SOAS, University of London, and led the student newspaper as editor-in-chief. She credits Kelvinside Academy – where she studied from P2 to S6 – for nurturing her passions with tailored academic support and a compassionate community. 'School always felt like a safe space,' she said. 'That comfort gave me the confidence to believe that, after Kelvinside, anything was possible.' BLAIR Ferguson (Class of 2020), known professionally as BLK, is one of Scotland's most exciting young music producers. At just 21, he's earned five Grammy nominations for work with SZA, Babyface and Justin Bieber – all from a music career launched from his Glasgow bedroom. Blair credits Kelvinside Academy for nurturing his creativity and confidence, offering flexibility with exams and inspiring performance opportunities. 'My teachers gave me the space to be myself and the support to grow as an artist,' he says. Now based between Scotland and LA, Blair is helping Kelvinside launch a YouTube channel to showcase young talent. 'It's my way of giving back,' he says, 'and helping the next generation follow their own creative paths.' AVA Hamilton (Class of 2024) is the fastest woman speed climber in the UK, having broken the British record at just 17 with a time of 8.64 seconds. A dedicated athlete with Olympic ambitions, Ava left Kelvinside Academy after S5 to train full-time in the US with legendary coach Albert Ok. She balances more than 20 hours of training each week with part-time jobs to fund her career. Ava credits Kelvinside for supporting her academic and sporting ambitions, allowing her the flexibility to pursue elite sport. 'It wasn't easy,' she says, 'but the understanding and encouragement from teachers made it possible.' Now focused on breaking the 7.5-second barrier, Ava also hopes to study linguistics and continue modelling for fitness brands. MISS Carly Bisset (Class of 2009) is a General Surgery Specialty Trainee in Glasgow, sub specialising in Colorectal Surgery, and an Honorary Clinical Lecturer at the University of Glasgow. She was awarded a PhD by the University of Aberdeen in 2023 for her research on surgical decision-making. A former Full Blue in Hockey at the University of Edinburgh, she continues to compete at club level. Carly credits Kelvinside's close-knit community and diverse extracurricular opportunities – from the CCF to school drama – for building her confidence, resilience and academic drive. Now mentoring her niece and nephew through their Kelvinside journeys, she credits the school with nurturing both ambition and a lifelong love of learning beyond the classroom. MARC Taylor (Class of 2008) is a successful entrepreneur in Scotland's property, factoring and lettings sectors. He credits Kelvinside Academy with nurturing his confidence, independence, and ambition from a young age. 'Kelvinside was a place where I always felt like an individual,' he said. 'It wasn't about fitting a mould – teachers took time to understand who you were and encouraged you to follow your own interests.' That early encouragement to think differently and back his ideas has stayed with him throughout his career. Marc also developed a passion for rugby at school, learning valuable lessons through competitive sport. Now a parent himself, he reflects on the lasting impact of a school that recognised and supported his potential. 'I realise how lucky I was.'