Round Square Schools

Many of the British boarding schools we recommend are affiliated to a wider group or “family” of other schools. One such organisation is Round Square, which maintains and facilitates a network of 160 schools in 40 countries that has been growing ever since it was founded fifty years ago by philosopher Kurt Hahn.

Starting with a small group of just eight schools, which committed to equipping their students for leadership and service within a democracy, the organisation’s name came from the Round Square building at Gordonstoun in Scotland, where the first meeting took place. Today all member schools share a holistic approach to education built around six ideals of learning derived from Hahn’s philosophies: Internationalism, Environmentalism, Democracy, Adventure, Leadership and Service.

Round Square students learn to see themselves as global citizens and to respect the fine balance needed to maintain a healthy relationship with the planet; freedom of thought and speech is greatly encouraged, as are activities that foster a spirit of adventure and allow students to discover what they are capable of; true leadership is taught through serving others, and students come face-to-face with the plight of those in most need around the world to discover how they can make a positive and sustainable difference.

We work with many of the UK’s 15 Round Square Schools, Rossall School being the latest of our partner schools to have been accepted into the organisation. Realising the School’s own ethos closely matched Round Square’s ideals, Rossall has been working towards joining for the past two years. As Headmistress Elaine Purves writes: “It will be exciting to see the opportunities that membership brings to our staff and students.”

If you would like to know more about Round Square or, indeed, any other boarding schools in England, Scotland and Wales, please do contact us.

Photo courtesy of Gordonstoun