Founded in 1877 in St Andrews, the seat of Scotland's oldest university and the home of golf, it is widely held to have been the inspiration for Enid Blyton's Malory Towers. It is set in a very fine campus, with 27 acres of gardens and playing fields, against the background of the ruined cathedral and old harbour. Among the historic buildings is one thought to have been Queen Mary's lodging place, now housing the school library. The school has excellent accommodation and facilities, including all-weather pitches and a 25m indoor pool; the sixth form have access to the university library and gym. Originally a girls' school, boys have been admitted since 1999 and it is now fully co-educational. Teaching is of a high standard and academic results are consistently very good. Pupils come from across the world to join what is predominantly a Scottish roll. The sixth form take the International Baccalaureate Diploma, with a preparatory one-year course (including GCSE and IGCSE subjects) available in year 11. Music, drama and art can be pursued either as academic subjects or extra-curricular activities. Sport is strong, particularly athletics, lacrosse and golf, where international standards are regularly reached. The school has its own golf club with close connection with the Royal and Ancient and access to all the St Andrews courses, including the Old Course; it also hosts a national national junior golf tournament. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme is well supported. The emphasis of the school is upon individuality and social contribution; independence and intrepidity are encouraged and the school is demanding but socially relaxed.
Pupils: Total age range 4-19; 495 pupils, 374 day (179 boys, 195 girls), 121 boarding (61 boys, 60 girls). Junior department 4-12, 174 pupils (87 boys, 87 girls). Senior department 12-19, 321 pupils (153 boys, 168 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 5, 8, 12-16. Common Entrance and own entrance test used; for sixth-form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade C (preferably including sixth-form subjects). State school entry, 30% senior intake; many senior pupils from own junior department.
Scholarships (no monetary value) - academic, music, art, golf, sport and drama - awarded at 12, 13, 16. Means-tested bursaries available for pupils entering at age 12, 14 and 16. Parents expected to buy some sixth-form textbooks; extra charges for some languages and activities, eg individual tuition in golf, musical instruments.
80% live within 30 miles; 20% live overseas (15 different nationalities).
Principal: Dr Michael Carslaw, in post from 2008. Educated at Merchiston Castle School and the universities of Newcastle (zoology), Nottingham (MBA) and London (PhD). Previously Deputy Head at Ardingly. Teaching staff: 47 full time, 15 part time. Annual turnover 5+%. Average age 47.
GCSE: 36 pupils in Year 11, 81% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects; 8% in 5-7 subjects (17% gained grade A/A* in 8+ subjects). IB: 52 in upper sixth, 94% gained full diploma, 6% subject certificates. 63% gained 30+ IB points, average IB score of 33.
Almost all sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (30% after a gap year), 10% to Oxbridge and others to universities in UK, Europe and US. Courses taken include medicine, law, dentistry and veterinary science, science and engineering, languages, humanities and social sciences, art and design and other vocational subjects eg physiotherapy, nursing. Several have gone on to art foundation courses.
GCSE, IB Diploma. Sixth form: Students study 6 subjects - 3 at higher, 3 at standard level - as well as theory of knowledge and undertaking community work as part of the creativity action and service element. Vocational: Work experience available, some in Europe. Special provision: Dedicated department provides support for learning, including EFL. Languages: French, German, Spanish offered to GCSE and IB; other languages (eg Russian, Italian) available at extra charge. Regular exchanges to Germany and France. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 100+ computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Numerous musical groups including chamber and string orchestras, wind ensemble, concert band, jazz band, pipe band, 3 choirs and other chamber groups. Pupils regularly study music at university or conservatoire. Several members of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. Drama: GCSE drama and IB theatre arts offered, also LAMDA and Guildhall exams. Pupils involved in several productions each year staged at nearby theatre. Regular representation in National and Scottish Youth Theatres. Art and design: On average, 50% of year group take GCSE art, 10 take IB. Pottery, textiles, printing and photography offered. School hosts annual public exhibition and pupils regularly accepted for top art schools.
Sport: Hockey, lacrosse, tennis, athletics, gymnastics, dance, swimming, self-defence, basketball, badminton, squash, rugby, skiing, golf, sailing, football, cricket, netball. RLSS exams may be taken. Regular representation at regional and national level at lacrosse, golf, athletics and hockey. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional; significant sums raised for charity. Up to 15 clubs, eg orchestral, choir, chess, Scottish country dancing, golf, skiing, sailing, other sports, ecology.
Uniform: School uniform worn; smart dress eg suit or jacket in sixth-form. Houses and prefects: House structure (called teams). Head girl and head boy - appointed by the headmaster; team captains elected by members. School Council, run by head of school. Religion: Inter-denominational; also caters for non-Christians. Social: Social and academic events (music, debates, educational challenge events) with other schools. Many trips abroad eg France (languages), Italy (art and classics), the Alps (skiing), Canada (music), Beijing (cultural exchange). Senior pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals self-service in school restaurant. No school shop (close to local ones). Alcohol allowed by agreement in the sixth form.
Firm discipline, based on few but clearly expressed rules (given in student handbook), backed by sanctions. Students in possession of drugs forfeit the right to remain; those suspected of being under the influence of drugs can be required to take a drugs test.
Own study bedrooms in sixth form; 50% of others are in dormitories of 4-6. 3 single sex houses. SRN during school day and during sports at weekends, doctor visits. Central dining room. Sixth-form students can provide and cook own food at weekends. Half-term holiday of one week each term. Visits to local town allowed.
is run by Dr Mary Campbell-Brown, c/o the school.
Rosemary Eliot (principal flautist, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra); Betty Archdale (early barrister, pioneer of women's education in Australia); Penny Thomson (film producer, former Director of Edinburgh International Film Festival); Stella Tennant (supermodel); Freda White (peace-campaigner, travel-writer); Jane Renfrew née Ewbank (archaeologist and author); Anji Hunter (former Director of Government Relations, 10 Downing Street); Martha Fairlie (BBC Scotland education correspondent); Kitty McKane Godfree (Wimbledon ladies' singles champion, 1924 and 1926).
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