Celebrating 60 Years of Round Square: A Global Legacy Born at Gordonstoun
Thursday 4 June 2026
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Round Square began as a bold experiment in character-based, globally minded education. It has since grown from a small, values-driven alliance of schools into a global movement, developing principled, outward-looking young leaders through service, adventure and international collaboration. |
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Sixty years ago, a small group of visionary school leaders came together, united by a shared belief: that education should shape not only academic minds but also strong character, compassion and a sense of responsibility to the wider world. Today, that belief lives on through Round Square, a global community of more than 270 schools in 50 countries, and its story is inseparable from Gordonstoun.
Round Square began in 1966, inspired in part by the educational philosophy of Kurt Hahn, whose belief in experiential learning, service and international understanding had already shaped schools across Europe and beyond. The catalyst was the celebration of Hahn’s 80th birthday, hosted by Prince Max of Baden, following the suggestion of Jocelin Winthrop Young, a former pupil of Gordonstoun.
The foundations of Round Square, however, reach even further back. In 1953, after a devastating earthquake struck the Greek island of Kefalonia, students from several of what would become the founding Round Square schools travelled to Argostoli to assist with the recovery efforts. The experience proved transformative. Working side by side across nationalities and cultures, students demonstrated courage, compassion and resilience, developing a deeper sense of responsibility to others and to the wider world. Its impact resonated long after the immediate crisis had passed.
That spirit of collaboration and service came fully into focus at a decisive meeting in 1967, when the Heads of the founding schools agreed to formalise their partnership. His Majesty King Constantine chaired the gathering held at Gordonstoun. The network was named “The Round Square Conference" after the iconic building at the heart of Gordonstoun School where the meeting took place.
The founding schools – Gordonstoun (Scotland), Schule Schloss Salem (Germany), Box Hill School and Battisborough (England), Anavryta (Greece), Aiglon College (Switzerland), Louisenlund (Germany) and The Athenian School (USA) – represented not just different countries, but a diverse range of perspectives on education. That diversity has remained a defining strength of Round Square ever since.
Over the decades, Round Square has evolved while staying true to its core purpose. From the establishment of student-focused conferences in the 1970s to the development of International Service Projects, the IDEALS framework and, more recently, the Discovery Framework and online collaborations, Round Square has continued to respond to the changing needs of young people in an increasingly interconnected world.
Gordonstoun’s role in this journey is both historic and ongoing. As the birthplace of the Round Square name and a school shaped by Hahn’s educational philosophy, Gordonstoun continues to champion learning beyond the classroom – through service, adventure, leadership and global citizenship.
As Round Square marks its 60th anniversary, we celebrate not only the past but also a living, dynamic network that continues to “bloom from the past”, empowering young people to make a positive difference in the world. It is a legacy that began here, and one Gordonstoun is proud to continue shaping for generations to come.
Round Square Conference, St Anne's Windermere June 27-30 1978
Round Square Boarding House
Round Square Conference 1967
To find out more about the uniquely broad range of opportunities available to our students, our community, our setting and Hahnian ethos join us on our next Virtual Taste of Gordonstoun Webinar.
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