There is no school in the world quite like Gordonstoun. Founded by Kurt Hahn, one of education’s greatest innovators, we have led the way in experiential education. We live by his principles to this day.
We provided the inspiration for The Outward Bound Trust, The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, the Round Square Association and United World Colleges.
We believe that students should be challenged and, above all, develop compassion. Challenge is found in the classroom, on the mountain and sea, on the stage and sports fields and many other areas. Compassion is developed during the daily cycle of school life, within weekly service activities and international service projects. Our unique broad curriculum is combined with a rigorous academic heart.
Our motto – Plus Est En Vous – is central and lived out in our close-knit boarding community, our 40 different nationalities and our huge range of inspiring activities from ocean sail-training to academic discovery. We expect students to find their ‘Grand Passion’. We are a school like no other!
‘Gordonstoun doesn’t have to try to be different – it just is. It’s the original holistic education, using outdoor challenges and service to others to build confidence and improve academic performance. If you want an escape from the academic sausage factory and the chance to think out of the box, sign up now.’ Good Schools Guide 2020
‘It wasn’t until we saw the curriculum and the schedule of what they would be doing each day that we truly understood the difference between Gordonstoun and other schools.’ Current parent
Active engagement in service to the local community comprises a core part of Gordonstoun’s ‘working week’, further expanding the students’ sense of personal and social responsibility and building self-esteem. Students volunteer for one of nine services and it is the only school in the UK to have its own fire engine, staffed by senior students who respond to genuine emergencies.
‘The extensive range of opportunities for personal achievements in the senior school, as part of the Gordonstoun broader curriculum, is outstanding.’ HM Inspectors, 2019
The School. Gordonstoun is a co-educational boarding and day school for children aged 4–18. There are approximately 110 pupils in the Prep school and a further 385 in the Senior School. Gordonstoun prides itself on the balanced make-up of the student body, with approximately one third from overseas, one third from Scotland and one third from the rest of the UK.
Gordonstoun is the birthplace of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Each year, students journey across the highlands by foot or canoe for their assessed expeditions. Gordonstoun is also a founding member of The Round Square Organisation and, in the spring term, Year 12 students have the opportunity to spend a part of the term on exchange with Round Square schools around the world; they can also take part in International Service Projects, providing support to communities as far afield as Thailand, India and, closer to home, in the Northern Isles.
Boarding. Gordonstoun is one of the few remaining full-boarding schools in the UK and over 80% of students in the Senior School are full boarders. A full programme of activities is offered throughout weekends and day pupils join in with weekend activities.
Pastoral care. ‘The positive, caring, family ethos of Gordonstoun School promotes a sense of trust, respect and kindness for all.’ HM Inspectors, 2019
Our systems are built around our pastoral aims, which closely reflect the Gordonstoun ethos and our aim of developing the whole person. As well as house parents, tutors and every member of staff are trained to look after the children. There is a secure online system to keep track of every child and share necessary information.
‘The pastoral set-up is the best I’ve seen. Well planned, supportive and built around the child.’ Good Schools Guide, 2020
Curriculum. Gordonstoun follows the English National Curriculum of GCSE and A level examinations. There is a wide range of subjects available at both levels.
In Year 12, students choose three or four A level subjects and are encouraged to undertake an optional EPQ. BTECs are also offered. Most non-English speaking students also take their native language at A level.
Gordonstoun has a wide support network for those students requiring Learning Support and there is the opportunity to receive one-to-one or small-group teaching.
‘My son came from a school down south. He’s a different boy without the pressure. In fact, his work is improving simply because he’s happy.’ Current parent
Academic results. As a proudly non-academically selective school, Gordonstoun again saw a strong set of A level results with 90% of Year 13 leavers achieving a place at a university of their choice. 75% of students achieved A*–C grades at A level. 70% achieved Merits and above at BTEC and 91% achieved grades of 4–9 at GCSE. Students studying English as a second language achieved a remarkable 100% at grades 7–9.
Gordonstoun is a school with clear academic ambition, ensuring that students meet, or exceed, their own individual baseline testing which is recorded and carefully monitored throughout their careers at school.
Destination of leavers. Leavers from Gordonstoun have progressed to some of the most prestigious universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Durham, Loughborough, and St Andrews. They are pursuing diverse fields such as Business, Law, Veterinary Medicine, Geography, Biomedical Science, Teaching, Linguistics & Social Anthropology, International Relations and History of Art.
Many have also ventured internationally to study in the USA, Australia, and across Europe, while others have secured competitive degree apprenticeships with leading companies like DHL.
The school is proud to count young people from all around the world in each year group – including students from Australia, China, the Falkland Islands, Germany, India, The Netherlands, Spain and Ukraine.
The wide range of activities students undertake during their school years, including training with the Coastguard Service, Fire Service and as Lifeguards, help them to stand out at interviews and ensure they have the right skills for rewarding careers.
Sport and activities. ‘Outdoor pursuits are huge and every single student gets involved. Sailing, skiing, hillwalking, climbing. The school owns a 80ft sail training vessel, Ocean Spirit, which makes annual trips to destinations such as the Arctic. Sailing is taught in the same kind of cutters as those used by Prince Philip when he was at Gordonstoun. Why? Because they have a crew of eight and teamwork is integral. All pupils are trained in expedition skills and try everything from backpacking and canoeing to exploration. And of course, the school offers a full Duke of Edinburgh programme – they did invent it after all, naming it after their most famous alumnus.’ Good Schools Guide 2020
In addition to sailing and expeditions, which form an integral part of the curriculum, the school has competitive teams in rugby, football, hockey, basketball, cricket, tennis, athletics, squash, netball and mixed teams in golf and tennis. These teams participate in national competitions and players are regularly chosen to represent district and regional teams. There are also opportunities to compete in swimming galas, cross-country running, skiing, sailing and adventure races. There is a wide range of recreational sports available including: target shooting, badminton, golf, aerobics, yoga, mountain biking, cycling, climbing, kayaking, orienteering, table tennis and horse riding.
Dance, drama and music. Gordonstoun prides itself on the strength of its performing arts. Dance, drama and music are available to all students and there are regular collaborations between the three departments to produce major theatrical productions. A weekly dance activity is available to all students and there is also an annual Dance Show, a Senior School musical and regular productions of Shakespeare. Most recently, they staged a unique outdoor adaptation of The Tempest at a local country house. Music students are encouraged to become accustomed to performing in front of audiences large and small via a weekly series of relaxed lunchtime concerts, as well as full-scale, formal musical events. All Prep School pupils and nearly half of the senior student body receive individual musical tuition in a wide range of instruments. The Art department has a teacher from virtually every discipline: Fine Art to Photography.
Wednesday afternoons are also dedicated to working in one of the school’s eight rescue or community services. Service to others develops a sense of responsibility and requires each student giving up his or her time and effort to benefit others without expecting return or reward. It fosters links with the local community and includes training which leads to nationally recognised qualifications which prove useful beyond School life.
Admissions. Gordonstoun will be different from any other school you have looked at or visited. We run regular Virtual Tasters as well as hosting personal visits to our campus.
We do not hold Open Days as we like to tailor-make your visit and we are happy to advise on your travel plans. Please contact admissions@gordonstoun.org.uk. Fees per term (2025–2026). Senior School: Day £14,100, Boarding £19,930; Years 12 & 13 Direct entry: Day £15,435, Boarding £21,300. Prep School: Day £7,655 (Y7–Y8), £7,270 (Y3–Y6), £5,355 (Y1–Y2), Weekly Boarding (from age 8) £11,220, Full Boarding (from age 8) £13,085.
Scholarships and bursaries. Our scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional ability, potential and the drive to make a positive impact – both within our school community and beyond.
While scholarships are honorary and do not automatically include fee reductions, they come with a host of exclusive benefits that provide meaningful support and enrichment.
In addition, scholars receive priority consideration for means-tested bursaries, giving them a strong pathway to financial support.
Charitable status. Gordonstoun Schools Limited is a Registered Charity, number SC037867.