‘Outstanding’ approach praised at Gordonstoun

Gordonstoun School has been described as ‘outstanding’ and ‘sector leading’ in a report published by inspectors from Education Scotland.

The Moray school is described as having a ‘positive, caring, family ethos’ which ‘promotes a sense of trust, respect and kindness for all’.

The inspectors noted that children were ‘motivated, eager to learn and very proud of their school’ and that ‘performance in national qualifications is an important strength of the school, with young people achieving very well at both GCSE and A level’.

Following a rigorous, three-day visit involving eight inspectors, during which they spoke to pupils and staff, HM Inspectors concluded that: ‘The comprehensive systems, policies and procedures to keep the school community safe are monitored rigorously by pastoral leaders and are a model of best practice and result in sector-leading pastoral care… The extensive range of opportunities for personal achievements in the senior school, as part of the Gordonstoun broader curriculum is outstanding… and…the approach to the leadership of change and improvement in teaching, learning and the curriculum at Gordonstoun School is outstanding.’

Inspectors also praised national initiatives led by the school such as the recent ‘Learning to Listen’ event which was prompted by the poor example set by politicians during Brexit. Children from all over Britain were invited to the school to learn negotiating and listening skills.

Principal Lisa Kerr said: ‘Much of what has been pioneered here at Gordonstoun has since become mainstream in the education sector. In this latest inspection report we could scarcely have hoped for a better endorsement of the unique way we support young people to succeed and continue to be at the forefront of educational innovation.

‘I would like to thank both pupils and staff for showing the inspectors everything we love about our school.’

Gordonstoun is famous as the school which educated three generations of the Royal family, including HRH Prince Philip and HRH Prince Charles.

However, approximately one third of the pupils at the co-educational boarding school receive financial help in order to attend and earlier this year HRH the Duke of Edinburgh lent his name to a foundation to provide life-changing bursaries for the school.

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