Glenalmond College

Glenalmond College has a well-justified reputation as one of the UK’s top boarding schools, with a tradition of excellence and achievement. The academic focus of the school is clear, and has resulted in over half of its leavers getting places at Russell Group universities, the top 24 universities in the UK. 5-10% of pupils each year achieve places at Oxford and Cambridge, 98% of leavers go on to university or higher education and every pupil is helped throughout their school career to recognise and develop their academic strengths. All pupils study for GCSEs and A levels, with a curriculum spanning 24 subjects in the Sixth Form offering an excellent basis for entry to university and higher education. Glenalmond pupils are encouraged to develop a spirit of academic enquiry and an interest in learning for its own sake as well as to secure good exam grades. The school has a programme of visiting lecturers throughout the year, and regular cultural and academic trips outside the school are organised to supplement classroom teaching. The William Bright Society at Glenalmond identifies, promotes and develops academic excellence in all areas of the school. A series of lectures is organised every year, and members also benefit from the ‘Thinking Series’ – a programme of academic courses to develop critical reasoning and promote philosophical debate. As well as developing academic potential, Glenalmond encourages its pupils in other areas too. Over 145 sports, activities, clubs and societies are on offer to the 400 girls and boys aged 12 to 18. The drama department are celebrating the success of their recent production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, where the newly-refurbished theatre was transformed into a Downton Abbey style formal summer garden. This followed on from their success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with Godspell earlier in the year. Glenlamond’s musicians perform across the country, and many perform with national choirs and youth orchestras. On the sporting front, the school’s Athlete Development Programme ensures that the school’s young sportsmen and women benefit from the best coaching available, including national hockey coach Allan Law, Olympic swimming coach Gary Vandermeulen and Young Coach of the Year James Ross for cricket, while the partnership with Perthshire Rugby Football Club provides further opportunities for the school’s rugby players. The school benefits from dynamic, energetic and committed teaching staff, all of whom live on campus and help create the very tangible sense of community that is evident at Glenalmond. This approach is central to Glenalmond’s continued success, ensuring that all pupils, both day pupils and boarders, receive the individual attention and support that they need to make the most of their talents and abilities. The school is located just 8 miles from the small city of Perth, one hour from Edinburgh or Glasgow, on a stunning 300-acre rural campus. The environment inspires learning, provides freedom from distraction, and provides the space, grounds and facilities for an outstanding range of extra-curricular activities. The ethos of Glenalmond is clear – to create an inspiring environment for young people to learn and grow. When pupils leave Glenalmond for university, they do so with confidence and maturity, and with an attitude towards life that will enable them realise their ambitions.