The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
‘Cracking future’
Glenalmond College is ‘on the up and up’
As stated in the Good Schools Guide review: “Glenalmond is set for a cracking future”. The new academic year sees the start of an exciting new phase of development for the Perthshire boarding and day school, with two new houses opening this September, improving the provision for junior pupils and creating new places for girls within a new girls’ house.
Cairnies, Glenalmond’s new junior house, provides the perfect transition to senior school, giving boarding and day boys aged 12 to 14 the space to grow, learn and play with a level of pastoral support specifically suited to younger pupils.
Close to the outdoor classroom, the woods, Glenalmond’s golf course and with its own playing fields, Cairnies provides an excellent base for junior year groups.
Friendships are made, new activities tried and fresh challenges faced.
Housemaster Peter Golden said: “All Cairnies boys are encouraged to try out as many new sports, activities and pursuits as possible, making the most of the opportunities available to them and finding out what they are good at.
“We help each boy to develop a programme of learning and activities to ensure a breadth of experience before they move on to the senior houses.”
The new girls’ house, Goodacre’s, also opens this month, and is home to girls aged 12 to 18.
The house is in the very heart of the school and has enabled Glenalmond to expand its girls’ boarding and day provision to meet increasing demand.
Housemistress Andrea Goodall said, “I feel very privileged to be Goodacre’s first housemistress.
“My central philosophy is that the girls should be nurtured and encouraged in all that they do.”
The opening of these new houses has been matched by developments in the academic side of the school.
New curriculum developments include the addition of Highers as an alternative to A Levels for sixth form pupils who prefer a broader subject range, enabling them to study five Highers instead of the usual three A Levels.
Mandarin is now taught at Glenalmond, and other new subjects include computer science and dance.
The timetable has changed to increase the time devoted to teaching and academic study.
Well-known as a leading boarding school, the college is keen to welcome more day pupils, and has introduced a new day pupil pricing structure to make a Glenalmond education more accessible for local pupils.
Glenalmond College’s headteacher Elaine Logan said: “Together, these developments mark an important new stage in the life of Glenalmond College, and herald a period of growth for the school.
“The academic direction, as part of our all-round educational ethos, and our dedication to maintaining 24/7 boarding and a full day provision, will shape the character of the school going forward.”
To quote the Good Schools Guide: “Get in fast, Glenalmond is on the up and up.”
The school’s open day on Saturday September 16 provides the ideal opportunity for families to visit and find out more about these developments.
To register visit www. glenalmondcollege.co.uk/openday.