GISS Pastoral Care

Gordonstoun International Summer School

We recognise you are entrusting us with your child’s care; it is a privilege and one we do not take lightly. Each student’s welfare is at the heart of everything we do.

The wellbeing of all students on the revision course will be closely monitored by an experienced pastoral team who will be in constant dialogue with the teaching staff, instructors and refectory personnel to ensure that everyone is fully supported at all times.

"Our heartfelt applause for a flawlessly executed summer program which has dedication and heart written all over it.”

- Current Parent

Accommodation & Pastoral Care
Students live in the school boarding houses, looked after by Houseparents and resident assistant staff. Children are allocated a boarding house depending on their age and gender. The houses are usually a mixture of single, double and 4 beds, with private washrooms. Students spend very little time in their rooms; they are encouraged to relax with friends, watch films, have snacks or play table tennis. This is an important part of ensuring friendships grow. Our mobile phone policy includes access to devices but also ensures students spend time enjoying the course rather than be glued to their phones! Throughout the programme there is a high level of personal attention, with one member of staff for every three students.

Accommodation & Pastoral Care

Students live in the school boarding houses, looked after by Houseparents and resident assistant staff.

Children are allocated a boarding house depending on their age and gender. The houses are usually a mixture of single, double and 4 beds, with private washrooms. Students spend very little time in their rooms; they are encouraged to relax with friends, watch films, have snacks or play table tennis. This is an important part of ensuring friendships grow.

Our mobile phone policy includes access to devices but also ensures students spend time enjoying the course rather than be glued to their phones! Throughout the programme there is a high level of personal attention, with one member of staff for every three students.

Travel Arrangements
Parents are responsible for travel arrangements to Gordonstoun. But we can support with travel options and any queries you may have. Students will be met at Inverness or Aberdeen airports. Unless you are confident your child can change flights and terminals without assistance, please register them as Unaccompanied Minors, or Airport Angels at Heathrow.

Food
We know food is really important! Our dining hall is used to feeding over 500 hungry students all year. Meals are carefully planned to provide a balanced diet. There’s a great choice, and alternative dishes are available for vegetarians and students with medical or religious requirements. Please complete our health form so we know your child’s requirements. GISS Health Form *Link TBD Gordonstoun’s Catering Manager has personal supervision of Summer School catering arrangements in the school’s beautiful modern refectory.

Food

We know food is really important! Our dining hall is used to feeding over 500 hungry students all year.

Meals are carefully planned to provide a balanced diet. There’s a great choice, and alternative dishes are available for vegetarians and students with medical or religious requirements. Please complete our health form so we know your child’s requirements.

GISS Health Form
*Link TBD

Gordonstoun’s Catering Manager has personal supervision of Summer School catering arrangements in the school’s beautiful modern refectory.

Medical Attention
The School’s Healthcare Centre is fully staffed by our qualified nursing team throughout the GISS courses. A doctor is available throughout, and excellent facilities exist in the school and locally at Elgin. Students should have private medical insurance before they arrive with us. As part of the application process we provide details of a policy that may be of interest to families, which can be purchased for a small fee.

Medical Attention

The School’s Healthcare Centre is fully staffed by our qualified nursing team throughout the GISS courses. A doctor is available throughout, and excellent facilities exist in the school and locally at Elgin.

Students should have private medical insurance before they arrive with us. As part of the application process we provide details of a policy that may be of interest to families, which can be purchased for a small fee.

Clothing
Casual, comfortable clothing is required. Scotland in July and August has an average temperature of 16-18°C (62°F) and often reaches 25°C (72°F) or more. It is regarded as probably the hottest two months of the year here. Daytime dress is informal, except for the Summer School photograph and final dinner, which requires a shirt and tie with smart trousers for the boys and equivalent for girls. A suggested clothing list is sent with administrative details on registration. Laundry is sent and returned twice a week.

Clothing

Casual, comfortable clothing is required. Scotland in July and August has an average temperature of 16-18°C (62°F) and often reaches 25°C (72°F) or more. It is regarded as probably the hottest two months of the year here.

Daytime dress is informal, except for the Summer School photograph and final dinner, which requires a shirt and tie with smart trousers for the boys and equivalent for girls.

A suggested clothing list is sent with administrative details on registration.

Laundry is sent and returned twice a week.

Communication & Photography
Parent Communication Houseparents are parents’ primary point of contact and they will update you on your child’s progress. Prior to the course starting you will be given contact details. And, throughout the summer, you can always talk to someone in the GISS office. Mobiles & Electronic Devices Students will have access to WiFi. However, although devices including mobile phones are allowed, their use is restricted to mornings before breakfast and after final period in the evening until just before bedtime. For the rest of the day, and at night, phones are retained by the respective Houseparent. Repeated abuse of our policy will result in confiscation of the phone. Parent Portal Parents can log in to see pictures of everything that’s going on at Summer School. Parent Portal

Communication & Photography

Parent Communication
Houseparents are parents’ primary point of contact and they will update you on your child’s progress. Prior to the course starting you will be given contact details. And, throughout the summer, you can always talk to someone in the GISS office.
Mobiles & Electronic Devices
Students will have access to WiFi. However, although devices including mobile phones are allowed, their use is restricted to mornings before breakfast and after final period in the evening until just before bedtime. For the rest of the day, and at night, phones are retained by the respective Houseparent. Repeated abuse of our policy will result in confiscation of the phone.
Parent Portal
Parents can log in to see pictures of everything that’s going on at Summer School.

Parent Portal

PREP SCHOOL

SENIOR SCHOOL

SIXTH FORM

BOARDING

SUMMER CAMPS

OUR COMMUNITY

ADMISSIONS

POPULAR LINKS

SUMMER SCHOOL

Pastoral Care