St Matthew's Primary School, Bishopbriggs

Log book, 1960-1997; Admission registers, 1960-1997; Headteacher's files, 1980-1986

Data Protection closure periods apply. Some restrictions on Headteacher's files please ask for further information.

Catalogued by John Gunn, Archives Volunteer, January 2016. Added to by Janice Miller, Archivist, October 2017.

Reproduction is available subject to preservation requirements.

On 23 December 1960, a new school was opened in Bishopbriggs, as St Matthew’s Roman Catholic Primary School. The school employed 6 staff, with a roll of 180 pupils who had come from approximately 10 other schools. By the start of the next school year, the roll had increased to 227 pupils. As the roll increased, accommodations were made for the growing number of pupils – for example, extra classes were held in Lanarkshire House. By 1966 there was an urgent need for more classrooms to be constructed, and a number of classes were moved into huts at different venues. Between 1967 and 1975, a series of huts were built on the school grounds to cater for the increase in pupil numbers. On 12 September 1977, Mr T G Duffy was appointed as the new head teacher. He had previously been the head teacher at St Barbara’s Primary School in Muirhead before taking up the post at St Matthew’s. On 4th May 1978, a mass was held for his predecessor, Mr Patrick Quinn, who had passed away. Mr Quinn had been the head teacher from when the school opened. In 1979, discussions began on how to adapt to the increase in children attending the school. The possibilities were either adding an extension to St Matthew’s, or building a third Roman Catholic school. Previously, the school had been using spare rooms in Wester Cleddens but it had temporarily closed due to lack of oil for heating. In 1980, preparations began for an extension to the school, which was completed by the beginning of session 1981-1982. As of 2016 St Matthew’s Primary School had a roll of 355 pupils, and employed 13 full time and 4 job-share teachers.