17 | Wealth & Finance Q1 2024 Apr24731 Best Independent Boarding School 2024 - Scotland Based in Moray, Scotland, Gordonstoun is one of the UK’s top independent schools for boarding and day pupils, revered for its unique blend of academic rigour and extraordinary outdoor experiences. For over 90 years, Gordonstoun has been a global leader in character education and in this year’s prestigious Private Education Awards, the school has been honoured as Best Independent Boarding School – Scotland. Founded by Kurt Hahn in 1934, Gordonstoun adheres to the principles of service to others, diversity, and compassion, to help students flourish far beyond their academic potential. At Gordonstoun, the school is renowned for its broad curriculum with structured learning taking place across a seven-day timetable. Students are encouraged to grasp opportunities and work collaboratively both inside and outside the classroom to achieve better results for everyone. Gordonstoun’s motto ‘Plus Est En Vous – There is More In You’ is as relevant today as the day that Kurt Hahn created it. Dr Kurt Hahn, a visionary German educationalist, set out to establish a school that would do more than prepare students for exams, it would prepare them for life. This inspiring approach is still present at Gordonstoun through its combination of engaging classroom learning and diverse range of out of classroom experiences. All students take part in a world-leading outdoor education and sail training program, team and individual sports, performing arts, and participate in one of the school’s nine services to the community. These different challenges are designed to help young people adapt to new situations and take on positions of responsibility from an early age. A delighted parent shares, “Coming from a primary education delivered abroad in a foreign language, Sophia has excelled at Gordonstoun in ways we could not have predicted. Her confidence has blossomed in the wider curriculum - notably competing in this summer’s Tall Ships Races - and her impressive results in GCSE Sciences, English, and Mathematics, have set her up nicely for A levels and her university applications in two years’ time. Gordonstoun’s opportunities, tutelage, and care have been second to none.” As a private school, Gordonstoun welcomes students from around the world and has created a supportive multicultural society that prioritises tolerance and understanding. Students live in a tight-knit community, working alongside other young people from over forty different countries. The student population is diverse in culture, faith, ability, and background, enabling students to gain a deep understanding of people from all nations and lifestyles. Caroline Overton, Head of Marketing and Communications at Gordonstoun, says, “I am proud to play a part in delivering the vision of our founder, to build tolerance between people from diverse backgrounds and in promoting mutual understanding. Our students are impressive, every single one of them, as are the talented and experienced staff who commit so fully and so personally, to deliver the broad education at Gordonstoun.” Gordonstoun is a school where almost 35% of its community identifies as neurodiverse. Throughout 2024, the school has dedicated time and resources to adapting its processes to better support neurodivergent students and staff. This began with an INSET day where staff explored neurodiversity and made a commitment to help the school’s neurodiverse cohort to thrive. Line managers received training to support neurodivergent staff, which empowered several members of the team to declare diagnoses and has enabled the school to implement stronger support strategies. In the Senior School, students celebrated Neurodiversity Week with a superb student-led assembly which included powerful testimony from a neurodivergent teacher and numerous students. Later in the week, tutors led students in a range of activities designed to give neurotypical students and staff the opportunity to talk about challenges they have experienced. Meanwhile, the Gordonstoun Prep acknowledged the week with several engaging activities and events including workshops and Q & A sessions. These events generated thought-provoking conversations on how unique minds have shaped society and what individuals can do to support one another. Gordonstoun is one of the UK’s last remaining full boarding schools, revered for its superior offerings which aim to challenge and nurture every child to help them unlock their full potential. With its fusion of world-class teaching and unrivalled outdoor activities, the exemplary school creates responsible and dynamic individuals with the confidence and resilience to overcome any challenge. Over the last 90 years, Gordonstoun has demonstrated its commitment to broadening minds and preparing young people with the skills necessary to help them on the path to independence. Moving forward, the school remains dedicated to empowering all its students to become lifelong learners and take ownership of their education. For its sector-leading education, we have bestowed on Gordonstoun our award for Best Independent Boarding School 2024 – Scotland. Contact: Caroline Overton Company: Gordonstoun Web Address: https://www.gordonstoun.org.uk/
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