Gordonstoun
Elgin, Moray, Scotland
Gordonstoun
Elgin, Moray, Scotland
Overview
Gordonstoun, located in 200 acres by the Moray Coast, was founded in 1934 by educationalist Kurt Hahn. The School’s uniquely broad curriculum includes outdoor education, service to the community and opportunities to take responsibility, encouraging each individual to fulfil their potential as human beings as well as academically. The School motto is ‘Plus est en vous’ – ‘There is more in you’, and at Gordonstoun this sense of possibility is presented to its students every single day.
At a glance
Academic
Gordonstoun follows the English GCSE and A Level curriculum and is committed to the fulfilment of every individual’s academic potential rather than to statistics. With a staff/pupil ratio of 1:7 and progress carefully overseen by their tutors, students go on to universities, colleges and art schools all over the world – from Oxford and Cambridge to MIT or the Northern School of Music – to study a diverse range of subjects from Medicine to Law, Performance or Aeronautical Design.
Boarding
The students at Gordonstoun live in a balanced and internationally dynamic community of 9 houses, including the famous Round Square. As one of the few remaining full-boarding schools Gordonstoun has a 7 day programme, providing a broad range of activities and experienced pastoral staff to ensure the children are happy and make the most of their time. Housemasters/mistresses live in-house with their families, supported by teams of assistants, matrons and tutors.
Sports
The School provides a comprehensive programme of physical and outdoor education, and the George Welsh Sports Centre includes a large sports hall, a fitness suite, a climbing wall and an indoor swimming pool; allowing students to identify and enhance their sporting strengths. Teams compete locally and internationally and the School counts 3 Olympic medallists, the Captain of the Scottish cricket team and the first Scottish woman to climb Everest as former pupils.
Creative arts
The Arts are integral to life at Gordonstoun and core to the curriculum; the Music department boasts recital rooms and a recording studio, and the Ogstoun Drama & Dance Centre building offers a high-tech 200 seat theatre & dance studio. Art facilities include those for sculpture, print-making, textiles, digital imaging and traditional Fine Art. Students can join ensembles or productions outside the classroom or as part of Inter-house activities, as well as participate in tours every 2 years.
Did you know?
- The Duke of Edinburgh's Award had its origins at Gordonstoun as The Moray Badge, which was later developed into the award we know today.
- Gordonstoun owns a 24m sail-training boat, The Ocean Spirit of Moray, which teaches students seamanship and essential life lessons in teamwork and communication
