“I spent hours here,” says the 17-year-old, smiling. “I’m always drawing, every moment I get.”
The talented teenager has achieved an A in every exam she has ever sat at high school, including this year’s Advanced Higher in art and Highers in PE (she is a keen volleyball player), music (she sings and plays guitar) and graphic communication.
Eileen at work (Image: Mark F Gibson/Newsquest)
In fourth year, Eileen completed seven National 5s plus her Higher art a year earlier than is the norm; and in fifth year, she studied five further Highers and a Skills for Work qualification in creative industries.
Headteacher Claire Wilson says: “We are incredibly proud of Eileen – she is a talented and unassuming girl, who has also shown real leadership in her role as one of our Art and Design Captains.
“She is a fantastic role model for younger pupils, inspiring them to get involved in art.”
Eileen with headteacher Claire Wilson (Image: Mark F Gibson/Newsquest)
She adds: “Traditionally, art and music were perhaps seen as hobbies, but we’re proud of having expanded what we offer pupils interested in careers in the creative industries, particularly in a city like Glasgow which has such a thriving arts scene.
“More and more of our young people are taking up art and joining our art club and that is thanks to Eileen and her fellow captains, who really set the tone for the school.”
Eileen received her results by text (Image: Mark F Gibson/Newsquest)
Eileen lives in Robroyston with her mum and dad, Huying Lin and Bin Hong. Her brother Michael works in software engineering in London.
The family speak Mandarin at home, so Eileen is registered as an EAL (English as an Additional Language) pupil at Cleveden.
“My parents came to England originally from China when my brother was a baby,” says Eileen. “They hoped for a better education for their children. We moved to Scotland when I was very young.”
Eileen first started drawing in primary school. “I loved watching other people draw. I found it very inspiring, so I wanted to try it myself,” she explains.
“There is a lot of me in what I draw. I’m quite introspective. I love the way art allows you to express emotion, and tell stories.”
She adds: “My art teachers have been really supportive and helpful so I’m very grateful to them.”
Eileen has secured a place at London’s prestigious University of the Arts – alumni include sculptor Anish Kapoor and fashion designer Alexander McQueen, while Stella McCartney is an Honorary Fellow – and she eventually plans to become a freelance illustrator.
“Concept art and illustration are similar worlds, and I am interested in games art,” she says.
“I want to set up on my own so I have the freedom to choose which projects to work on. I’m really excited and a little nervous about going to UAL because there will be brilliant artists from all over the world there.”
Claire Wilson, headteacher (Image: Mark F Gibson/Newsquest)
There are 870 pupils at Cleveden Secondary, which has a catchment across North Glasgow and the West End, encompassing Maryhill, Wyndford, Kelvindale and Possilpark.
English is not the first language of around 40 percent of students, and 52 languages are spoken in the school.
“We work hard to bring everyone together as a school community,” says Mrs Wilson, who joined as headteacher in 2020.
This year, the school achieved its best ever National 5 results for S4 pupils with more young people than ever before gaining one, three or five; and the biggest ever percentage gaining seven or eight, she adds.
“We have seen a 20% increase in the number of pupils achieving at National 5 level over the last five years,” said Mrs Wilson.
“The number of pupils achieving five or more Highers in S5 has also doubled in that time, so we are really pleased.”
She adds: “There is much more to school than exam results, of course, and we take pride in providing opportunities and support for all young people to engage with their learning.
“Our school motto is ‘be all you can be’ and that underpins everything we do.”
