Keep the police fit, I say!

Thought I would Blip Donaldson's College today, but guess what? there was a police exercise, so I had to exercise caution (I was looking for jogging police men and women!).

Donaldson's was founded in Edinburgh in 1851 as Donaldson's Hospital by James Donaldson (1751-1830), who, for a time, was publisher of the Edinburgh Advertiser. The original benefaction allowed for special bursaries for poor children.

Not all were deaf, although applications on behalf of deaf children were encouraged. From 1938, pupils were exclusively deaf. This benefaction was similar in style to the benefaction of George Watson, who founded and supported other schools in Edinburgh.

Queen Victoria is said to have been jealous of the landmark William Henry Playfair building in Edinburgh, apparently stating that it outclassed some of her palaces.

During a German air raid in 1916, much glass was destroyed by a zeppelin.

After more than 150 years based in the Playfair building, Donaldson's finally concluded that the building was no longer fit for purpose. Many of the rooms were no longer in use, classrooms were unable to utilise the latest educational technology and the Trust could no longer afford to maintain the building.

Therefore in 2003 the school's building was put up for sale and was purchased by Scottish property developer Cala Homes.

The school retained use of the building until a brand new, purpose-built Donaldson's campus opened in the nearby town of Linlithgow in January 2008. The new campus, which has facilities for up to 120 pupils, puts Scotland on the map as a centre of excellence for children who are deaf or have communication difficulties.

As a national Grant Aided Special School (GASS) supported by the Scottish Government the central location of the new site makes the facilities more accessible to pupils from all over Scotland and the north of England.