Gordonstoun

Details

  • Type of school: Co-Ed | Senior school with a junior department or a prep school
  • Nearest international airport: Inverness (55km), Aberdeen (100km)
  • Age Range: 4 1/2-18
  • Number of pupils: 575
  • Number of boarders: 415
  • £ Fees per term - Boarding: Junior; £10,350; Senior: £15,300 - £16,330
  • £ Fees per term -Day: Junior £4,750- £6,450; Day Senior: £10,850-£11,867

School Information

As well as preparing students for exams, Gordonstoun prepares them for
life. The School’s uniquely broad curriculum encourages every individual to
fulfil their potential academically, but it does more than that. It encourages
students to fulfil their potential as human beings. The School motto is
‘Plus Est En Vous’ – ‘There Is More In You’. At Gordonstoun, this sense of
possibility is presented to its students, every single day.
Gordonstoun has been described as ‘outstanding’
and ‘sector-leading’ by HM Inspectors in 2019.

Gordonstoun
Gordonstoun’s remarkable location on a 200-acre woodland estate in
the north of Scotland provides the background for its world beating
outdoor education programme. Gordonstoun was the birth place of both
the Outward Bound Movement and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and
expeditions to the Scottish Highlands or sail training on the School’s 80ft
Sailboat are an integral part of the School’s day-to-day life. Students gain
invaluable experience in being both leaders and team players and in having
compassion and understanding for their fellows – and of themselves.

Active engagement in service to the local community also comprises a
core part of Gordonstoun’s ‘working week’, further expanding the students’
sense of personal and social responsibility and building self-esteem.
Gordonstoun follows the English GCSE and A-level curriculum. With a staff/
pupil ratio of 1:7 and every student’s progress carefully overseen by their
tutor, they go on to universities, colleges and art schools all over the world.
The students at Gordonstoun inhabit a community which is both
balanced and internationally dynamic. Pupils live and learn alongside
fellow students from across the social, cultural and geographical board.
Because Gordonstoun is one of the few remaining full boarding schools,
it has a seven- day programme which ensures that students are happily
integrated and engaged. This also affords the opportunity to make full
use of the comprehensive facilities on offer – which includes an expansive
sports centre, a drama and dance centre and music studios.
The uniquely all-round education on offer at Gordonstoun provides its
students with the chance to develop intellectually, emotionally, physically
and spiritually because Gordonstoun understands that the broader the
experience the broader the mind.

“It wasn’t until we saw the curriculum and the schedule of what they would be doing each day
that we truly understood the difference between Gordonstoun and other schools.” – Current parent

Scholarships and Bursaries

At Gordonstoun we take pride in our holistic approach to the education of our students. All students are stretched by the combination of academic, outdoor, cultural and sporting challenges offered as an integral part of our programme. Gordonstoun, therefore, welcomes applications for Sixth Form Scholarships from candidates with skills in any one or more of these categories. The strengths of the School, in conventional terms and judged by its special ethos, are well known and laid out in our publicity material. Academic Scholarships Candidates will be expected to give evidence of their ability to embark upon a two-year Sixth Form course with the prospect of obtaining at least three very good passes at GCE A level. The examination, which takes place at Gordonstoun, will form the foundation of the assessment process. This is in three parts with each candidate taking written papers in English and Mathematics. Copies of past papers are not available. Initial selection of potential candidates will be made following the receipt of reports obtained from their current Headteacher. The successful applicants will then be invited to come to Gordonstoun for the remainder of the Scholarship procedure. This process will also include practical problem solving exercises and interviews with senior members of the Gordonstoun Staff Scholarships in Art, Design Technology, Drama, Information Technology, Music and Sport Candidates will be expected to show suitability for a Gordonstoun education and to have both pronounced talent, and a high level of achievement, in one of the following fields : Art, Design Technology, Drama, Information Technology, Music and Sport. Candidates are not expected to sit the academic scholarship papers but will need to qualify for the School in the normal way (School report, interview and a place offered conditionally upon obtaining satisfactory GCSE grades) and will be expected to have the potential to make a major contribution to School life. Interviews will take place at Gordonstoun and auditions for Music awards take place at that time also. Fuller details of what is required in each area are enclosed. All-Round Scholarships These are for candidates who demonstrate a high level of ability and potential in several areas. It is possible to apply for consideration for an All Round Scholarship as well as an Academic Scholarship or one of those awarded for specialist skills. Value of Scholarships Several Scholarships are awarded each year; their normal value is 10% of the fees, with the possibility of this amount being increased, in some cases substantially, in cases of financial need. The Scholarships are for the duration of the Sixth Form and are subject to review each year in the light of progress in all aspects of School life. Bursaries for Sons and Daughters of Royal Navy or Merchant Navy Personnel and other Service Bursaries Bursaries may be available to the sons or daughters of current or former Royal Navy or Merchant Navy personnel through the Heath Jary Sheridan Paterson Trust. Candidates need not take the academic scholarship papers but qualify for admission through school report and interview. In all cases, awards may be augmented on the basis of financial circumstances. Externally Funded Scholarships The School has been fortunate in recent years to receive funding from an external Charitable Trust for Scholarships to be awarded at Sixth Form level to candidates who show outstanding qualities of Leadership. Parents and candidates may not request consideration for these awards but Gordonstoun may wish to propose particular candidates involved in the Scholarship competition, and who have taken the Scholarship papers, to the Charitable Foundation for consideration. The value of each Scholarship will be up to half fees, but exact amounts will be determined by the Trust once it has examined financial statements made by the parents of the nominated and approved candidates. The school also has awards made to its potential students by another Charitable Trust, which specifically supports those taking Science at A level. These are to the value of 50% of the day fee or, approximately, 25% of the boarding fee. Sixth Form Curriculum Gordonstoun follows the English examination system. Most students will elect to study three A-levels (A2) and one further subject at AS level. Strong Mathematicians will often take Further Mathematics and non-native speakers are encouraged to take their home language as an extra fourth A-level. The School also prepares suitable students for the Oxford and Cambridge entrance procedures and for SAT entrance to universities in the USA. Candidates may choose from the following list of subjects which will be offered in the Sixth Form. • Art & Design • French • Mathematics • Biology • Geography • Media Studies • Business Studies • German • Music • Chemistry • History • Physical Education • Classical Civilisation • Information & Communication Technology • Physics • Design • Latin • Politics* • Economics* • Psychology* • English Language • Spanish • English Literature • Theatre Studies * These subjects are offered at AS level only. Notes : 1. While it is the School’s objective to offer the maximum number of combinations of those listed subjects, we cannot guarantee provision of every combination. 2. All the subjects listed above will be offered as AS level while, in some cases, the availability of A2s will be determined by the number of those wishing to pursue the subject. Such availability is determined before the start of the Lower Sixth year and we are happy to discuss the viability of individual subjects at any time. Procedure Application forms may be obtained from The Admissions Secretary, Gordonstoun School. Elgin, Moray IV30 5RF There is no entry fee for this competition. However, a form registering a student for admission is completed on behalf of candidates, even if their parents wish them to be considered only for a scholarship place. Candidates or their parents should inform their present Head before proceeding with an application.

News

Gordonstoun Student Wins National Photography Competition

A student in Moray has won a national photography competition.   Olivia Barnett, who was aged 17 when she entered the competition and in her final year of studies at Gordonstoun, won first prize in the national finals of a competition for young photographers held by Rotary Club of Great Britain & Ireland. The theme of

GORDONSTOUN SUPPORTS CALL FOR OUTDOOR EDUCATION IN ALL SCHOOLS

Gordonstoun, the Moray boarding school which inspired the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, supports a call for at least one week of residential outdoor education to be compulsory in all Scottish schools. A formal consultation opened today on a Member’s Bill put forward by Liz Smith MSP which would place a requirement on all local authority

“You Have Two Minutes to Pack your Bag” Gordonstoun Students Taste Refugee Life to Raise Money for Ukraine

Students at Gordonstoun had taste of life as a refugee in order to raise money for the victims of the conflict in Ukraine.  They were told they had just two minutes to pack a small bag for a long journey before setting out on a sponsored walk. Organiser and Gordonstoun teacher Dill Lawson Johnston said,

HRH The Princess Royal Shown Prince Philip School Archives at Gordonstoun

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal viewed archive material relating to her late father’s school days on a visit to Gordonstoun today (10.3.22). Gordonstoun Guardian Erin Bell (Head Student) showed The Princess examples of the original Moray Badge which HRH The Prince Philip won at school and which inspired The Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards. Erin

Gordonstoun offers training to help Handforth Parish Council operate in harmony

Gordonstoun has offered the members of Handforth Parish Council training to improve their meeting skills by inviting them to an online event designed to teach students better dialogue skills.  Handforth Parish Council gained fame earlier this month when a meeting descended into chaos and members were ejected from a Zoom call by clerk Jackie Weaver.

Gordonstoun welcomes back Junior Duke Awards

An award scheme pioneered by a teacher at Gordonstoun has “come home” to the Moray-based school. The Junior Duke Awards are the brainchild of a teacher from Glasgow, who felt that there should be a junior version of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to encourage primary-aged children to learn life skills. The Duke of Edinburgh’s

Gordonstoun’s ‘outstanding’ approach praised by inspectors

Gordonstoun School has been described as ‘outstanding’ and ‘sector leading’ in a report published by inspectors from Education Scotland. The school is described as having a “positive, caring, family ethos” which “promotes a sense of trust, respect and kindness for all.”  The inspectors noted that children were “motivated, eager to learn and very proud of

Youngest ever pupils to join Gordonstoun Junior School

Gordonstoun Junior School will open its doors to a new Year 1 class in September 2019.  This is a class for boys and girls who are four years old by the end of February – the same age as children joining P1 in local Primary Schools. The new pupils will be stretched and challenged in

Former Gordonstoun pupil aids Thai cave rescue

A former Gordonstoun pupil recently assisted with the rescue of 12 footballers and their coach. Connor Roe, who left the school in 2008, was called to help with the final phase of the rescue operation as a cave diver by the British Cave Rescue Council. He was one of eleven cave divers working alongside the Thai

Swimming with dolphins at Gordonstoun

While taking part in one of their weekly training sessions on the Moray Firth, the Gordonstoun Surf Lifesaving students encountered a pod of 10 dolphins.  They were about to end their training session for the afternoon when they were suddenly joined by the dolphins for half an hour of fun in the water.  This is

Gordonstoun appoints progressive new leadership team

Gordonstoun announced today that it has appointed Lisa Kerr as Principal.  The appointment is part of a re-structuring of the leadership team of the school which includes the appointment of Gordonstoun alumnus and current Head of the Senior School, Titus Edge, as Headmaster and Hugh Brown the Finance Director.  Ms Kerr will take over from

Gordonstoun Students Celebrate Roots Of DofE In Fundraising Walk

On Wednesday 29 June 2016, on the penultimate day of term, all students at Gordonstoun undertook a DofE Diamond Challenge, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the DofE Award, which has its origins at Gordonstoun. Each student, aged 7 to 18 will opted to walk a designated route back to the school of varying levels

Gordonstoun Appoint Dr Eve Poole As Chairman Of The Governors

The Board of Governors of Gordonstoun is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Eve Poole as Chairman. Dr Poole, who lives in Edinburgh, has a degree in Theology from Durham University, an MBA from Edinburgh, and a PhD in Capitalism and Theology from Cambridge.  She is Associate Faculty at Ashridge Business School, where she

Gordonstoun Featured In The Independent

Gordonstoun School has been featured in The Independent newspaper in an article entitled: “Where Gordonstoun leads will other British Schools follow?” You can read the story at the following link or read the text below: Article © of Richard Garner (The Independent) Where Gordonstoun leads will other British schools follow? Prince Charles may have hated his time

Gordonstoun’s Success at the Olympics

This year we are so proud to have had three OGs representing their country in the London 2012 Olympic Games. Zara Phillips (Plewlands 1999) won a Silver Medal as part of the GB Eventing Team. Great Britain won the medal after a thrilling finale to the equestrian team eventing competition. Zara performed a faultless round

Heather scoops Britain’s First Gold Medal

Former Plewlands House girl, Heather Stanning, along with her rowing partner, Helen Glover, have become the first athletes to win a gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games for Team GB. We are all so incredibly proud of Heather's achievements since leaving Gordonstoun in 2003. As an Army Scholar, both at school and university, her

Gordonstoun unveil major development programme!

The Gordonstoun Board of Governors has just unveiled a major development programme which will secure Gordonstoun's future as one of the world's leading international boarding schools. In a letter to parents, former students and all other members of the Gordonstoun community the Principal, Simon Reid, outlined the School's exciting plans which, over the next five

GORDONSTOUN CHAMBER CHOIR SINGS AT A ROYAL WEDDING

GORDONSTOUN CHAMBER CHOIR SINGS AT A ROYAL WEDDING The Gordonstoun Chamber Choir had the honour of performing at the wedding ceremony of Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall on Saturday 30 July. 19 students came back to Gordonstoun in their summer holidays for three days of rehearsals to prepare for the wedding. They travelled down to

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