A hundred years – a century of learning, history and community at Queen’s Road. With a plethora of activities planned in 2025-26 to mark this momentous occasion for Albyn School, we caught up with Rosie Fairhead, one of our Former Pupils, and co-editor of the ‘Albyn School: A Century at Queen’s Road’ commemorative book being released later this year.

Rosie attended Albyn School from 1992-1998 and is now a freelance Editor and Project Manager in Publishing. We hear from Rosie about the editing process so far and what we can expect from this highly anticipated book told through the eyes of our former pupils….

What’s your connection with Albyn School? 

I was at Albyn from U1 to U6 (S1 to S6) from ‘92-’98, following on from my grandmother who taught there in the 1940’s, and my mother who attended the school as a small girl. During my time there I was also Deputy Head Girl.

What’s your involvement in the Queen’s Road 100 book? 

I’m working with the School on putting the book together, so I’m looking through the archives and the former pupils reminiscences, and choosing the photos and trying to identify who’s who in each one!

What inspired you to get involved in this book?

The School put out an appeal for any former pupils who worked in publishing to get in touch, and it turned out they were planning this book and wanted someone to work with them on it. I’ve worked with the publisher, Profile Editions, before so it seemed like a good fit to work with them, and the School, to produce the book. So now I’m somewhere between client and supplier, helping the School to make the book really unique while also sharing my knowledge of the publishing process and keeping things on track with the publisher.

What can readers expect from this book? 

It’s full of interesting stories, some of them surprising or mischievous, others nostalgic. We’ve organised it around themes like ‘In Class’ and ‘Lasting Friendships’, and within that we’ve tried to cover all aspects of life at the school, including boarding, sports, music, art, rules, and subjects etc.

What aspects of the School’s history or culture do you find most fascinating? 

Daily life, especially for the boarders, because there were none left by the time I was at the school and I always wondered what it would be like to be at a boarding school. There are some elements of my life at the school that now seem very out of date, which makes me realise just how long ago it was. But also things that seemed strict at the time are nothing compared to the rules and regulations of the 1940s, 50s and 60s, it turns out. 

What do you hope readers take away from this book?

Unexpected stories and memories that will prompt their own recollections. And groans at the hairstyles of previous decades!

If you could describe the book in 3 words, what words would you use? 

Entertaining, nostalgic, irreverent.

‘Albyn School: A Century at Queen’s Road’ is available for pre-order now. Secure your copy at a discounted price* whilst stocks last, visit: https://profileeditions.com/product/albyn-school-a-century-at-queens-road/

*Offer ends 29 May

* Cover for illustrative purposes only