The following is a brief history of Earlston High School based on work by former Headteacher, Norman Roxburgh. Norman scoured the logbooks of the school, and attempted to extract items of interest. The oldest logbook dates from 1874.

Early Years (1874-1907)

• 1874: The school, originally called Fluthers Park Public School, had 146 pupils and was merged with Thorn Street to become Earlston Public School.
• Headteacher: Daniel Aitkenhead, serving from 1856 to 1907, held a record for a 51-year teaching career.
• The school’s early challenges included poor facilities, large class sizes, and harsh weather conditions impacting attendance.
• Regular illnesses and events like local fairs significantly affected student attendance.

1907-1944

• Headteacher: Mr. Burt, who served until 1944.
• The school was affected by both World Wars. For example, Belgian refugees attended during World War I, and children from Edinburgh were evacuated to Earlston during World War II.
• Illnesses like scarlet fever and flu epidemics continued to disrupt schooling during this period.

Post-War Growth and Changes (1944-1988)

• Headteachers: Mr. Young (1944-1962) and Mr. Reid (1965-1988).
• During Mr. Young's tenure, central heating was installed, and ration books were distributed after the war.
• Under Mr. Reid, the school evolved into a comprehensive 6-year secondary school, absorbing students from surrounding towns. The roll increased, and the school offered a broader curriculum with new facilities added.

Modern Era (1988-2016)

• Headteacher: Norman Roxburgh (1988-2007), the author, saw the school roll continue to grow, reaching over 900 pupils by 2007.
• Many new facilities were built during this time to accommodate the growing student body, including a new gymnasium, laboratories, and temporary classrooms.
• The school developed a strong ethos with active participation from students in extra-curricular activities, sports, and charity work.
• Headteacher: Michelle Strong (2007-2016), introduced the Curriculum for Excellence and continued expanding the school’s achievements.

Recent Developments (2016-Present)

• Headteacher: Justin Sinclair (2016-2022), leads the school through a period of sustained growth and further developments, such as the introduction of blazers into the uniform and the establishment of an Alumni Association.
• Headteacher: Jill McDonald took over as Acting Headteacher in 2022 when Justin Sinclair took on the role of Chief Education Officer
• Headteacher: Alex Johnson was appointed to lead the school starting in February 2024