Waid Academy 4.06

The Waid Academy is a public secondary school in Anstruther, Fife. The school's catchment area extends to Lundin Links, Lower Largo and Upper Largo but accepts pupils from towns such as Leven, Kennoway and Markinch.HistoryLieutenant Andrew Waid, an Anstruther man, left his money for the founding of Waid’s Orphan Naval Academy for the sons of poor mariners and fishermen. For a variety of reasons it was not possible for his wishes to be carried out in the years following his death, and for much of the 19th century his will was ignored and the value of his estate accumulated. At last in 1884, Commissioners appointed under the Educational Endowments Act of 1882, proposed a scheme for his money to be used for the creation of a secondary school to serve the East Neuk of Fife. On 6 September 1886, The Waid Academy opened for the first time. It was the first school in Scotland to be created under the 1882 Act and its constitution became a model for other schools which were created or changed as a result of the Act.The old school campus was split between two buildings. The principle school building was previously the Head Masters house but latterly used for additional teaching rooms. South Waid was erected in 1901, this building sits to the north of Crail Road and was extended in 1955.The Waid Academy received a coat of arms in 1959, approved by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. It was designed by Stewart Lees, teacher of art at the school from 1953 to 1960. The design and motto are based on the carving in stone above the school’s main entrance. The coat of arms shows a ship passing between towers or pier heads. The logo is underscribed by the Latin phrase Multi Pertransibunt Et Augebitur Scientia – many will pass through and knowledge will be increased.