Frequently Asked Questions

ADMISSIONS

As one of the best private schools in the world, we understand the importance of asking questions. So, if there’s anything you want to know, please ask. But, to save you some time, here are some of the most frequently asked questions.

How many students are at gordonstoun?

There are around 120 in our Junior School (age 4 ½ to 12) and 460 in our Senior School (age 13 to 18).

It means we’re large enough to offer our uniquely broad curriculum but small enough for everyone to know each other.

why do you do a levels and not ib?
We believe the in-depth study of three or four specialist subjects provides the best option for our students. A levels are academically challenging and give students a greater chance of being accepted to UK universities. They’re recognised around the world, understood by employers and complement our broad curriculum perfectly.

why do you do a levels and not ib?

We believe the in-depth study of three or four specialist subjects provides the best option for our students.

A levels are academically challenging and give students a greater chance of being accepted to UK universities. They’re recognised around the world, understood by employers and complement our broad curriculum perfectly.

how will you help my child reach their full academic potential?
Our curriculum, which is unique and unrivalled in breadth, has been designed to stretch, challenge and nurture every child. Our pastoral and curriculum teams continually monitor the academic needs of each student and work is tailored to maximise each child’s ability. Our motto means ‘*There is more in you*' and we have high expectations of every student. Senior School students meet their tutor weekly to make sure they’re pushing themselves. Subject-specific weekly ‘clinics’ help them excel in areas of particular interest. And a wide range of trips, events and competitions further develop each student’s ability and confidence. On top of all this, our societies take learning beyond the classroom into the wider world. Out of classroom learning is also a key element of a unique Gordonston education, helping students develop independence, determination and self-awareness, whether they’re crewing the school yacht, playing sports or scaling a Munro. These are not only life skills, they also enhance academic studies. Our commitment to helping every child reach their full potential starts early. In the Junior School we celebrate all academic success and progress. Each pupil is encouraged to go above and beyond the norm. They aim for top grades and are given regular feedback. Small classes allow us to give individual attention, stretching each child and instilling a love of learning that will serve them well in later years.

how will you help my child reach their full academic potential?

Our curriculum, which is unique and unrivalled in breadth, has been designed to stretch, challenge and nurture every child. Our pastoral and curriculum teams continually monitor the academic needs of each student and work is tailored to maximise each child’s ability.

Our motto means ‘There is more in you' and we have high expectations of every student. Senior School students meet their tutor weekly to make sure they’re pushing themselves. Subject-specific weekly ‘clinics’ help them excel in areas of particular interest. And a wide range of trips, events and competitions further develop each student’s ability and confidence. On top of all this, our societies take learning beyond the classroom into the wider world.

Out of classroom learning is also a key element of a unique Gordonston education, helping students develop independence, determination and self-awareness, whether they’re crewing the school yacht, playing sports or scaling a Munro. These are not only life skills, they also enhance academic studies.

Our commitment to helping every child reach their full potential starts early. In the Junior School we celebrate all academic success and progress. Each pupil is encouraged to go above and beyond the norm. They aim for top grades and are given regular feedback. Small classes allow us to give individual attention, stretching each child and instilling a love of learning that will serve them well in later years.

what happens at weekends?
The advantage of being a full boarding school is that students can enjoy activities seven days a week. On a typical weekend Senior School students have Saturday school in the morning and activities in the afternoon. In the evening there is a social event - a bonfire on the beach, quiz night, pizza night, disco or a film. On Sunday after chapel and prep there is time to relax or take part in drama, music or sports. Plus there are mountaineering trips, sailing expeditions and skiing in Winter. The schedule is also busy in the Junior School. Year 8 has Saturday morning school, preparing them for the exciting move up to Senior School the following year. The Prep School also has a programme of activities and trips for their boarders, with access to the extensive campus facilities every weekend.

what happens at weekends?

The advantage of being a full boarding school is that students can enjoy activities seven days a week. On a typical weekend Senior School students have Saturday school in the morning and activities in the afternoon. In the evening there is a social event - a bonfire on the beach, quiz night, pizza night, disco or a film.

On Sunday after chapel and prep there is time to relax or take part in drama, music or sports. Plus there are mountaineering trips, sailing expeditions and skiing in Winter.

The schedule is also busy in the Junior School. Year 8 has Saturday morning school, preparing them for the exciting move up to Senior School the following year. The Prep School also has a programme of activities and trips for their boarders, with access to the extensive campus facilities every weekend.

how many students share a bedroom?
Prep pupils share rooms of up to six. In the Senior School, each house is slightly different, but in Year 9 most students share dorms with three or four others. In Year 10 they have just one other roommate and in Years 12 and 13 they have a room to themselves. We have one girls’ house in which all students have their own room and in the boys’ sixth form house everyone normally shares a large room in Year 12.

how many students share a bedroom?

Prep pupils share rooms of up to six. In the Senior School, each house is slightly different, but in Year 9 most students share dorms with three or four others.

In Year 10 they have just one other roommate and in Years 12 and 13 they have a room to themselves.

We have one girls’ house in which all students have their own room and in the boys’ sixth form house everyone normally shares a large room in Year 12.

how do you allocate a child to a house?
All Prep School pupils are in the Prep Boarding House. In the Senior School, unless students have family ties to a boarding house, students are carefully allocated to houses so that each has a mix of nationalities, abilities and personalities. In our experience this helps everyone grow together and learn from each other. Friendships are not constrained by boarding house, and all our students have friends across year groups and houses.

how do you allocate a child to a house?

All Prep School pupils are in the Prep Boarding House. In the Senior School, unless students have family ties to a boarding house, students are carefully allocated to houses so that each has a mix of nationalities, abilities and personalities.

In our experience this helps everyone grow together and learn from each other. Friendships are not constrained by boarding house, and all our students have friends across year groups and houses.

are day pupils integrated with boarders?
There are around 120 in our Junior School (age 4 ½ to 12) and 460 in our Senior School (age 13 to 18). It means we’re large enough to offer our uniquely broad curriculum but small enough for everyone to know each other.

what is your mobile phone policy?
There are around 120 in our Junior School (age 4 ½ to 12) and 460 in our Senior School (age 13 to 18). It means we’re large enough to offer our uniquely broad curriculum but small enough for everyone to know each other.

where do i get school uniform from?
Much as we value diversity at Gordonstoun, a little uniformity is often helpful too. Available online from School Blazer, our distinctive uniform is something students are proud to wear. It can be ordered anytime, from anywhere, via the bespoke Gordonstoun pages, making it easy to find the right uniform for your child’s year group. All uniform is delivered within 3 working days and can be delivered to your home or the School. An 'intelligent sizing system' helps ensure garments fit first time, allowing room for growth. Returns are free and there is a second-hand section on the School Blazer website to buy and sell items. Please ensure that your child has all the compulsory items on our uniform lists which can be found below or via the tab on the School Blazer shopping pages. There is a range of optional additional items too. We do recommend that your child has a pair of wellies. Boarders will need to bring a selection of casual clothes and can choose to bring items such as their own duvet covers – see our uniform guides for details. Uniform List for Prep Pupils Uniform List for Senior Pupils

where do i get school uniform from?

Much as we value diversity at Gordonstoun, a little uniformity is often helpful too. Available online from School Blazer, our distinctive uniform is something students are proud to wear.

It can be ordered anytime, from anywhere, via the bespoke Gordonstoun pages, making it easy to find the right uniform for your child’s year group. All uniform is delivered within 3 working days and can be delivered to your home or the School.

An 'intelligent sizing system' helps ensure garments fit first time, allowing room for growth. Returns are free and there is a second-hand section on the School Blazer website to buy and sell items. Please ensure that your child has all the compulsory items on our uniform lists which can be found below or via the tab on the School Blazer shopping pages. There is a range of optional additional items too.

We do recommend that your child has a pair of wellies. Boarders will need to bring a selection of casual clothes and can choose to bring items such as their own duvet covers – see our uniform guides for details.

Uniform List for Prep Pupils

Uniform List for Senior Pupils

we live far away, so does my child have to go away at leave out weekends?
Students who live further afield can go to a local guardian or many choose to stay at school for the leave out weekend - there are usually two of these weekends every term. There is always a fire crew at the school, staffed by students doing their community service.

we live far away, so does my child have to go away at leave out weekends?

Students who live further afield can go to a local guardian or many choose to stay at school for the leave out weekend - there are usually two of these weekends every term.

There is always a fire crew at the school, staffed by students doing their community service.

i see you don't have open days, how can i come for a visit?
We believe one-to-one visits give families a better insight into life here. Please phone the admissions office to arrange a talk and tour any morning that suits you during term time – except Sunday. Tel: 01343 837829

i see you don't have open days, how can i come for a visit?

We believe one-to-one visits give families a better insight into life here.

Please phone the admissions office to arrange a talk and tour any morning that suits you during term time – except Sunday.

Tel: 01343 837829

how do i get to gordonstoun?
Our beautiful location in the Moray countryside is peaceful, but not remote. We are easily accessible from Aberdeen or Inverness airports, by train to Elgin or by car.

can you cater for different educational needs?
We know children grow and learn at different rates. That’s why we have an experienced Learning Support Department with friendly, helpful staff who encourage, challenge and motivate pupils to embrace and master new challenges. Our English as an Additional Language Department also helps pupils who don’t speak English as their first language to develop their written and spoken language skills.

can you cater for different educational needs?

We know children grow and learn at different rates. That’s why we have an experienced Learning Support Department with friendly, helpful staff who encourage, challenge and motivate pupils to embrace and master new challenges.

Our English as an Additional Language Department also helps pupils who don’t speak English as their first language to develop their written and spoken language skills.

what nationalities of students attend gordonstoun?
Diversity is a crucial part of life at Gordonstoun and we are delighted to have such a broad mix of students. One third of our pupils are Scottish, one third come from the rest of the UK and one third travel here from overseas. We have children of over 40 different nationalities adding to the vibrant, rich mix of life at the school – something which has been one of our core values since the very first day we opened. Today, this is more important than ever and helps give our students respect for different cultures, and consequently a better understanding of their place in the ever changing world.

what nationalities of students attend gordonstoun?

Diversity is a crucial part of life at Gordonstoun and we are delighted to have such a broad mix of students. One third of our pupils are Scottish, one third come from the rest of the UK and one third travel here from overseas.

We have children of over 40 different nationalities adding to the vibrant, rich mix of life at the school – something which has been one of our core values since the very first day we opened.

Today, this is more important than ever and helps give our students respect for different cultures, and consequently a better understanding of their place in the ever changing world.

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