Strathallan School

Strathallan School

‘At the heart of the School’s philosophy is the commitment to provide opportunities for all to excel, to help pupils to make the most of their abilities within the framework of a caring environment.’

Strathallan School occupies a glorious rural location, situated in 150 acres of stunning Perthshire countryside, offering a safe and secure environment for children to grow and develop. Yet it is within easy reach of the city of Perth (10 minutes) and Scotland’s international airports (Edinburgh 45 minutes and Glasgow 1 hour). This makes the commute to London Heathrow less than 2 hours and considerably more accessible for parents from all over the world. The School continues to invest in its outstanding facilities. Recent additions include modern laboratories, computer centre, design technology centre, fitness and weight training room, two floodlit synthetic pitches, medical centre, new girls’ boarding house, refurbished swimming pool, dining hall and art school.

All boarding houses provide modern accommodation, with a single study-bedroom for every boarder after their first senior year. The Junior House, Riley, is designed to cater for boys and girls wishing to enter the School at 9+ and is situated within its own campus, as well as enjoying the facilities of the main School.

Curriculum
In fourth and fifth form, pupils take nine subjects for GCSE and computing at Standard Grade. In sixth form they prepare for AS and A2 examinations or Scottish Highers, which allows greater flexibility in the range of courses available. Strathallan’s academic record is one the strongest in the country, with a 100% A-level pass rate (78% A/B). Potential Oxbridge candidates are identified in the lower sixth form and additional tuition is provided. On average, over 95% of senior pupils go on to a vast range of universities. Every pupil is allocated a tutor who monitors their academic progress and is responsible for discussing their three-weekly reports with them. With very small class sizes (staff/pupil ratio = 1:7), all achievements are celebrated and each pupil embraces our culture; hard work reaps rewards, though learning always remains enjoyable at Strathallan.

Games
The main School games are rugby, cricket, hockey, netball, athletics and tennis, and there have been a large number of team successes in these sports throughout the year. Other sports include skiing, squash, rounders, football, fencing, judo, badminton, basketball, swimming, golf, horse riding and cross-country running. Sailing, canoeing and skiing are recognised pastimes, and a large number of pupils participate in ski days in the spring term. Strathallan also has its own nine-hole golf course, swimming pool, squash court, clay pigeon shooting range and Tennis Academy. With a dedicated team of staff (including international players), sport is extremely successful at Strathallan.

Activities
All pupils are encouraged to take part in a range of activities for which time is set aside each day. Among the activities available are dance, drama, pottery, chess, photography, first aid, life guarding, judo, equestrian (winning many individual and team awards), shooting (both clay pigeon and small bore), Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and fishing – there are over 55 activities to choose from each week. We also have a large voluntary contingent of the Combined Cadet Force with Navy, Army and Marines Sections as well as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Community Service.

Music
The Music Department is central to School life and has its own concert room, keyboard room and classrooms, together with a number of individual practice rooms. We have choirs, choral scholars, traditional music groups, a jazz band, wind band, an orchestra, folk bands, pipe band and rock bands. Over 60 concerts take place a year from 20 different ensembles. There
is a Choral Scholars Programme which is unique to Strathallan pupils to continue with their music when they go on to university.

Having made several visits over the last few years to other schools, I can say without doubt that your students were the brightest, most engaging and generally best adjusted of any that I have encountered.
Nicholas J Clifford MA PhD (Cantab) GRGS C Geog, University of Nottingham

The arts
Art and design technology are recognised as an important part of the School’s activities and there are opportunities to study the subjects at GCSE and AS/A2 level. Pupils benefit from regular trips abroad and have the opportunity to exhibit their work both locally and further afield. A purpose-built Art School features facilities for ceramics, sculpture and print-making, and the design technology centre includes the latest computerised technology. National awards reflect pupils’ achievements in this area including two pupils in 2008 achieving within the top 10 at

A-level in the UK.
Drama thrives throughout the School and the department makes fulluse of the theatre. There are junior and senior performances each year and pupils are encouraged to become involved in all aspects of production. There is a musical production each year and many of our pupils are entered for LAMDA musical theatre exams.

Pastoral care
There is a strong emphasis on pastoral care and the School has drawn up its own welfare guidelines in consultation with parents, governors and the Social Work Department. Pastoral care at Strathallan is among the best in the country and has received outstanding recognition in a recent report.

Medical Centre
Strathallan has its own purpose-built Medical Centre with dedicated male and female wards, plus consulting and treatment rooms. There is 24-hour care available for all pupils and many weekly visits from the doctors.

EAL (English as an additional language)
The EAL Department provides individual and flexible support for pupils whose first language is not English. The department works closely with subject teachers and tutors to help each pupil achieve the best possible results in their chosen subjects and aid their integration into the School and the wider community.

Entrance
Entrance to the Junior House is at age 9, 10, 11 or 12 by submission of a school report, and an entrance day is held in early spring for Scholarship candidates. Senior entrance is at 13+ via open scholarship examination (March), Common Entrance (June) or school report. Sixth-form entry is either via the sixth-form scholarship examination (November) or on the
basis of a satisfactory school report and GCSE/Standard Grade results.

Scholarships and bursaries
Academic, Music, Performing Arts, Art, Design Technology, Sport, and All-Rounder scholarships are available for entry to Riley, the Third Form or Lower Sixth Form. Awards of up to 50% of the full fee are available. Bursaries are also available to those who have gained places in the normal way. Eligibility is determined by a means test. We also offer HM Forces family discounts and sibling discounts.

At Strathallan, things are different. Whatever skills students may possess, they seem to be nurtured and developed so that they can perform to their utmost. Certainly I believe that my child  has been given ‘opportunities to excel’ and we thank you for this.
Parent

Email: admissions@strathallan.co.uk

Web: www.strathallan.co.uk