Gordonstoun School

Gordonstoun School was founded in 1934. The school has the most favourable location: in the north of Scotland, on 200 acres of land in the countryside. Nearby is the historic city of Elgin and the city of Aberdeen. This is perhaps the safest place in the UK. A good location near the coast allows children to actively engage in such an elite sport as yachting. The major cities of Scotland (Edinburgh, Glasgow) are about 4 hours away by bus.

About 500 people study at the school. A third of the students are foreigners, representatives of 40 nationalities. The school was originally conceived as international and still retains these traditions. The school offers a well-thought out and varied program of highly qualified teachers and is one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the UK.

The mission of the school is to prepare "international citizens of the 21st century." All students acquire an international outlook, learn to be responsible for their lives and the lives of others, and change the world around them. The school's motto is "You have more than you think." The main principle is faith in oneself and self-development.

DIRECTOR (stand 2023)

Simon Cane-Hardy, education - University of Wales, Bachelor of Arts (BA), History; University of Buckingham, Master of Education - MEd, Educational Leadership and Administration.

FAMOUS SCHOOL GRADUATES

• Prince Charles, the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain
• Grandchildren of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain - Zara and Peter
• Duke of Edinburgh, consort of Queen Elizabeth II
• Prince Andrew, second son of Queen Elizabeth II
• Alexander, Prince of Yugoslavia
• Stuart Agnew, politician, member of the European Parliament
• William Boyd, writer
• Roy Williamson, musician, author of the popular anthem "Flowers of Scotland"
• Dick Hextal Smith, musician
• Luca Prodan, musician
• Balthazar Getty, actor (films "Lord of the Flies", "Highway to Nowhere", "Natural Born Killers", TV series "Spy", "Charmed"), heir to the oil company Getty Oil
• Heather Stanning, rower, gold medallist of the 2012 Olympics
• Duncan Jones, filmmaker, son of musician David Bowie
• Allan Skon, screenwriter

KEY FACTORS

• Three generations of the English royal family attended this school.
• The curriculum is based on 4 educational principles: challenge, mutual assistance, internationalism and responsibility.
• Amazing location: near the school there are mountains, hills, sandy beaches.
• A safe atmosphere, lack of city noise and silence have a positive effect on academic performance.
• The goal of the school is to teach children independent thinking, decision making ability, achieve their goals and use their potential.

EQUIPMENT

Excellent, equipped with the latest classrooms, a computer centre, a music school, a dining room, a theatre, a recording studio, and many sports grounds. Near the school there is a harbour with beaches and excellent golf courses. For sports, the school has 4 squash courts, a gym, soccer field, rugby, cricket, artificial hockey box, climbing wall, 400-meter running track, shooting range with 22 targets, indoor pool. The school also has its own fire station.

PROGRAM

High School (8-13 years old)

The training takes place in small classes for up to 12-15 people and is based on the Scottish education system and the English national educational program.

High School (13-18 years old)

Grade 9

The main purpose of training is to give every student a chance to choose. Groups are formed on the basis of a penchant for mathematical sciences or for languages ​​(French / Spanish). Most subjects are taught in prefabricated groups. In addition to the academic program, emphasis is placed on teaching music and language (for those students for whom English is not native).

GCSE

A two-year program for obtaining a certificate of secondary education. The program is divided into key subjects and elective subjects.

A-level

A two-year university preparation program. Pupils choose 4 subjects for study in the first year (AS) and continue to study 3 subjects in the second year (A2), but 4 subjects can be chosen. The choice depends on the interests and inclinations of the student, as well as on the chosen university and faculty.

ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD

Younger students live in a separate residence. Modern and comfortable rooms are designed for a maximum of 7 people. Around the clock in the residence are school staff who monitor order and are always ready to help students.

High school students live on campus, in one of 9 houses, girls and boys live separately according to age. In each house: comfortable bedrooms and study rooms, areas for watching TV, common rooms for receiving guests, a small kitchen where you can drink tea. The residences have wireless internet. In all houses there are curators who monitor the order; the student can always turn to them with any questions. Also, in every house there is a mentor who carefully monitors that students use all the development opportunities that the school provides.

SPORT

Students can practice rugby, cricket, hockey, football, netball, tennis, athletics, swimming, participate in games and competitions in basketball, volleyball, badminton, squash, horse riding, skiing, karate, aerobics. There is the opportunity to play golf. Students go to sports competitions in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and other cities of Scotland. Each student of the school learns to operate a yacht and sail.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

Gordonstoun is the only school in Scotland where dances are taught at the academic level. This direction can be chosen as one of the subjects of study, or as additional classes. 2-3 dance shows are held throughout the year, including exam papers by GCSE and A-Level students. Master classes from professional dancers are regularly held.

The music department offers training in playing almost all musical instruments (strings, winds, brass, keyboards, guitar, percussion, etc.), vocals, choir.

The art direction includes classes in computer graphics, television, media, design technology. The school is rightly proud of its graduates, many of whom have entered prestigious art colleges and universities.

Acting is one of the most popular courses at the school. The emphasis is on developing teamwork skills and personal growth. Every year, students make their own productions - musicals, performances and shows.

COST, 2023-2024

£10,350 - £16,330 per semester (depending on age).
There are 3 semesters in the school year.

Included in cost

• Teaching
• Accommodation and meals
• Books and study materials
• Yachting training

Extra paid

• Flights
• Transfers to / from the airport
• Visa
• Services of the company "Paradise"
• Guardianship (as required by British law)

SERVICES OF THE EDUCATIONAL COMPANY INCLUDE

• Selection of 5-6 schools that best meet the individual characteristics of the child, further goals, talents, with the desired environment. Help in the correct interpretation of school ratings, an explanation of why the school occupies one place or another. Help in obtaining reliable information about schools that are not included in the ratings, with an explanation of the reasons for non-participation in it.
• Admission to 1-3 schools, selected from the proposed. Which includes the preparation of the necessary documents, school reports, characteristics, recommendations. Selection and submission of tests to prepare the student for exam testing, assistance in preparing essays. Preparation for an interview with the teacher / principal, registration for the exam. The necessary list of recommendations when attending school for passing entrance examinations. Correspondence with the school (not all schools enter into correspondence with foreign parents, treat them with caution, trust only a trusted agent).
• Assistance in paying registration fees, deposits, bills. Clarification of school rules, including disciplinary and legal aspects.
• Filling out the required medical forms.
• Selection of guardians required by UK law.

Student supervision during the first month of training is provided as a gift: assistance in resolving issues related to resettlement, billing, informing parents about the child’s health status, assistance with understanding of academic programs, organization of ext. classes for the child in a particular subject, help in choosing the program most suitable for the child, transfer to another class, etc.