GISS Course Details
Gordonstoun International Summer Schools
At Gordonstoun International Summer School (GISS) we have a dynamic timetable which keeps the students active and engaged.
The Gordonstoun motto is ‘Plus Est En Vous’ – there is more in you. By taking part in the extraordinary breadth of activities on offer we see this come alive in our students year after year.
We have a two-week junior programme (ages 8-11) and a three-week senior programme (ages 11-16). Both programmes offer a dynamic timetable which keeps the students active and engaged.
A Typical Day at GISSAt Gordonstoun we have a structured, dynamic timetable which keeps the students active and interested all day. |
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An example of a typical week on campus at our Summer School can be found below:
Course Details
Study Choices
| English as an Additional Language (EAL) - Junior and senior programmes |
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| Students are assigned the appropriate class using the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Tailored lessons provide the opportunity to practise the four core skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking and there are opportunities to read literature and examine current issues for more advanced students. |
| Literature and Creative Writing - senior programme |
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| Suitable for students where English is their first language, or for those with a strong command of English, this course improves skills through studying Literature and Creative Writing. Students develop their literary criticism by analysing texts such as poetry, short stories and plays. There are workshops on creating engaging story openings, using effective imagery, and creating suspense in a variety of genres. |
| Computing - junior and senior programmes |
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| This course combines topics including computer programming, PC building, cyber security and robotics. An interest in computers or robotics is useful but not essential. The course is mostly practical, with opportunities for more advanced students to complete high level tasks such as designing and building their own video game. |
| International Citizenship - Senior programme |
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| This course is suitable for students who have a strong command of English or are native speakers. It aims to improve spoken English through debates and presentations, with particular emphasis on promoting understanding and empathy. Students discuss global issues, learning to challenge information and express their own opinions in ways which celebrate diversity and promote global peace and cooperation. |
| Junior science - junior programme |
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| This course is suitable for our younger students with a good level of English, who are interested in learning more about life sciences. Many lessons take place outside - our 200 acre campus and nearby beaches, cliffs and rockpools boast an impressive array of animal, bird and sea life. Classroom sessions include research and project work, presentations and debates. |
| Social Enterprise and Social Entrepreneurship (ages 13-16) |
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| This course is suitable for students for whom English is their first language, or those with a strong command of it. Students learn about enterprise and entrepreneurship, including how to spot a business idea, create a business plan and source finance. The culmination of the course is an event, planned and presented by students, which benefits their chosen social cause. |
Sport
Gordonstoun has an excellent sports centre, a climbing wall, an all-weather astroturf pitch, an indoor heated swimming pool, four squash courts, 12 tennis courts and a 400m track. A wide range of sports and team games are available including badminton, basketball, football, hockey, volleyball, tennis, squash, swimming and athletics.
Students will have the opportunity to play a number of different sports as part of our evening Interclan competition, where clan teams compete to gain points for their clan in the hope of winning the final clan trophy.
Creative Arts
| Art |
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| Gordonstoun’s art centre is the venue for art tuition. Past students have designed t-shirts and silk paintings, made tiles and jewellery, and tried clay modelling. |
| Design |
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| In the school’s workshops, students develop their abilities with wood, leather, glass, metal and enamel. Items such as candlesticks, ornamental clocks and mobiles have been taken home with pride by previous students of all ages. |
| Music |
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| In music all students learn about different music styles, get to try new instruments, or develop their skills on instruments they already play, and work together towards a final music performance for students, staff and parents to enjoy. |
Recreation and Social Time
| Visits and trips |
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| There will different opportunities to get out and about to visit our local sites and attractions, including our beautiful Scottish castles and cultural places of interest. |
| optional Activities |
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| All students will have opportunities to choose from a range of different activities, including horse-riding, golf, cookery, karting, paintballing, fencing, ice-skating or shopping. |
| Social Time |
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| In the evenings there are different social opportunities, including discos, ceildh nights, quiz nights and house socials. |
Sailing & Outdoor Adventure
Our Outdoor Adventure phase is an opportunity for our students to really discover they are capable of more than they imagined, and is often the highlight of the summer for our students.
Led by a team of qualified and experienced staff, our Outdoor Adventure Phase (three days for our junior students and six days for our seniors) is a special time, building confidence and independence in our students, and strengthening new friendships.
| Outdoor Adventure |
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| A highlight of each course is a unique adventure residential; at our Gordonstoun Adventure Campus in the Cairngorm mountains for our junior students, and on the West Coast of Scotland for our senior students. All students will have the opportunity to participate in many different adventurous activities, such as canoeing, rock climbing, river tubing, zip lining, paddleboarding and hill walking. All students will have a one-night camping experience in the Scottish Highlands. |
| Sailing |
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| Gordonstoun recognises the sea as a unique classroom for character education. Our senior students will enjoy three days living on a tall ship with an experienced crew, sailing off the beautiful Scottish coast. Our junior students will enjoy sailing smaller ships on our stunning Scottish lochs. |
Cost
The all-inclusive cost for the junior course is £4,650, and £6,750 for the senior course. The costs cover everything from the moment of arrival at Gordonstoun, or at one of our local airports, to the day of departure.
| What's Included in the Cost? |
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There are no extras, other than any personal pocket money (at parents’ discretion) and travel & medical insurance, which is highly recommended. |
“Lucky attendees get to sail around the Western Isles in a fleet of tall ships and try their hand at kayaking, gorge-walking and canoeing. It’s a course like no other – and it's little wonder so many children return year-after-year.”
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