following the introduction of compulsory education in 1877, the north school was built on bullion brae (now academy road). this remained the main place of education until the 1960s, when the county council decided a new school was needed, and purchased land formerly occupied by the pithead buildings of a coal mine. the shaft was filled in, and the colliery and bing were reclaimed to form playing fields. the school building, designed to accommodate 700 students, was opened on 29 march 1968 by margaret herbison mp, at an estimated final cost of £536,500.