If you’re looking for a school that places the personal development of its pupils’ character front and centre, this is the place for you. “There is more in you than you think!” — the slogan of this unpretentious yet famous and distinguished independent school — could make it a dream destination for lovers of the great outdoors.
Founded by the reformist German educator Kurt Hahn, the school sits on a safe and beautiful 200-acre wooded campus, not far from the beaches of the Moray Firth in Scotland. Today, this school is a first-class boarding institution, proud of its illustrious alumni — not least King Charles III, his brothers, and their father, all of whom attended Gordonstoun. Links to the Royal Family remain very strong – the King’s sister recently opened the new Coastguard centre on campus!
Yet it matters not one bit which distinguished family a pupil may come from. On the contrary, what stands out at this down-to-earth school is how strongly the children are encouraged to forge their own paths, and rise to any challenge. Be it in sports, the arts, or academically, this school is fully equipped to nurture both obvious and hidden talents.
Akademis makes history – A Triple Award-Winning Consultancy (2023, 2024 & 2025) 🏆
Akademis has been recognised three years in a row by StudyTravel for excellence in the education sector:
2025 & 2024: Winners of the StudyTravel Secondary School Award (Best Western European Agency)
2023: Winner of the StudyTravel Star Award
(Best Western European Agency)
The StudyTravel Awards are among the most prestigious honours in international education, recognising outstanding quality, client focus and trusted partnerships. Being the first consultancy ever to win for three consecutive years is something we are deeply proud of. For us, these awards highlight our commitment to offering the very best guidance, personal service and long-term support for families embarking on this exciting journey.
Quick Overview
Age of Students: 6–18
Number of Students: 535
Boarding Students: 90%
International Students: 35%
Boarding Fees for Sixth Form per Term: £19,160 (Years 9–12), £20,480 (Years 12–13)
Key Sports (besides traditional team sports): skiing, sailing, shooting, karate, golf, climbing, canoeing
Nearest Airports: Aberdeen (1.5 hrs), Inverness (1 hr)
https://gordonstoun.org.uk/
Key Strengths at a Glance
Focus on personal development
Valuable outdoor learning programs
Dance as a school subject
Strong creative department
Gordonstoun School – Photo Highlights
Gordonstoun School in Detail
Personal Development
The school’s motto “Plus est en vous” — “There is more in you” — is truly lived here. Not only do the Round Square association and the Outward Bound movement have their roots in Gordonstoun, but the breathtaking Scottish landscape is used to its fullest, enabling pupils to gain vital skills and grow as individuals. Kayaking, mountain biking, and skiing are just the beginning. Pupils also learn bushcraft, wilderness survival, and surfing along the stunning Moray coast, mastering a wide variety of situations. Gordonstoun is one of the few schools in the UK where every student gets to sail on the school’s very-own 80-foot ship into the Arctic Circle!
Sport
Gordonstoun more than lives up to expectations when it comes to sport. Sailing, climbing, horse riding, and skiing are just the start of a long list of ways to be active in the fresh air — whether by the sea or in the mountains. On campus, students benefit from a cutting-edge sports centre with an indoor climbing wall, a fully equipped strength and conditioning room, an astroturf hockey pitch, a 400-metre running track, an indoor swimming pool, and four squash courts — quite the line-up. There’s even a private golf course for pupils to enjoy.
Academic Life
The ambitious curriculum offers pupils an impressive range of academic options. We were particularly impressed: from design, photography, and business studies to Greek, Latin, and theatre or media studies — in addition to the core subjects, every child can find something that excites them. Individual care is exceptional, too. The learning support department is deeply committed to helping pupils with dyslexia and similar challenges. Teachers and tutors keep a close eye on everyone to ensure they receive the best possible guidance and encouragement.
The Arts
Gordonstoun’s music and drama teachers enjoy a reputation that extends well beyond Scotland, staging breathtaking productions such as Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Recent developments include a new performing arts department with a studio theatre, rehearsal rooms, and dance studios. The Ogstoun Studios and Theatre are at the heart of all creative activity. Pupils can learn a wide variety of instruments here, and Gordonstoun is the only school in Scotland to offer dance as part of the academic curriculum. The theatre department even takes its touring productions to local schools, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and international stages — most recently in New York.
Photos From Our Visit
Our Visit
We were especially struck by the warm, welcoming atmosphere we felt the moment we set foot on campus. Every pupil we met greeted us with a smile, and we felt at home very quickly. The sight of all the students in their distinctive uniforms is not something we’ll soon forget. One can clearly feel the deep connection pupils and staff have with the school — many teachers and even parents of current pupils were once Gordonstoun students themselves. This school is a proud tradition for many families. Thank you to Chris Rose, Head of Admissions, for a wonderful interview and for the strong relationship we enjoy with Gordonstoun!
Our Meeting with Gordonstoun School
This is Gordonstoun School
What our clients say about us
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Gordonstoun School – Our Conclusion
The family-like atmosphere at Gordonstoun will give your child every opportunity to flourish — not only academically, but as a human being.
That said, this is by no means the only boarding school in the UK offering excellent care and guidance. We warmly recommend arranging a personal consultation to match your unique wishes and expectations. Feel free to contact us — thanks to our many years of working closely with these schools, we know their individual strengths and can offer genuine insights. Together, we’re confident we’ll find the right boarding school for your child.
We are also happy to advise you about other boarding schools in England. You’ll find an overview on our Boarding Schools in England page.
Take advantage of:
- Support with visa applications
- Authentic insights into boarding schools
- Hassle-free contact with schools
- Years of experience in school placements
What Makes Akademis Stand Out?
- We remain your trusted contact throughout your child’s stay, well beyond the placement process.
- We provide support with guardianship, visa applications and recognition of qualifications within the German school system.
- We offer fully tailored advice. Our school recommendations are unique to each child and can run to 40 pages in length.
- Families receive our 30+ page boarding school guide, packed with practical tips and insights.
- We prepare your child thoroughly for entrance exams and interviews to maximise their chances of success.
- We arrange school visits, ensuring you have the opportunity to experience each school first-hand.
Every boarding school has its own character and ethos. Having personally visited more than 100 schools, we understand these nuances. We also work with schools that do not pay commission, ensuring that our advice remains independent and always in the best interest of your child.
Our roots lie in the UK. For years, we have placed 200–300 families annually into British boarding schools. While our portfolio now includes schools beyond Britain, the UK remains at the heart of what we do.
Our tailored approach results in exceptional acceptance rates. For example, in 2022/23, all seven students we placed at the highly selective Malvern College received offers – a 100% success rate.
We arrange for prospective families to speak with our current students to hear first-hand accounts of life at a UK boarding school.
