Life’s a beach

At St Leonards in St Andrews

St Leonards is a thriving co-ed school that offers outstanding day and boarding education from the ages of five to 18.

It provides a world of opportunity, combining exceptional academic and co-curricular achievement with a friendly atmosphere, developing students into mature and confident individuals.

Home to the game of golf and Scotland’s oldest university, St Andrews is an unrivalled location to start your child’s education.

Idyllic beaches, heritage landmarks and spectacular countryside are all within walking distance of the school.

St Leonards is also privileged to have well-established links with the university, enabling students with further opportunities in languages, drama, music, art and sport.

The school’s friendly and welcoming campus is one of the town’s hidden gems: beautiful medieval walls surround the colourful school grounds, as well as multiple playing fields, a 25m swimming pool and a mix of modern facilities and historic buildings.

Getting to and from school has never been so easy – daily school bus services run from Cupar, Dundee, the East Neuk, Kirkcaldy, Leuchars train station, Glenrothes and Perth.

St Leonards’ smaller class sizes allow pupils to be treated as individuals and benefit from additional support from enthusiastic and highly-committed staff.

In the junior school alone, there are more than 35 different co-curricular activities on offer, enabling pupils to not only progress with their existing passions but to discover and develop new ones.

Current parents report that: “St Leonards has instilled a love of learning in my child. Children are excited to go to school and return home brimming with ideas.”

Led by headmaster William Goldsmith, the Junior School is celebrated as being a very happy creative hub where outdoor learning is a must. Class excursions and the importance of exploring the environment is recognised and encouraged wherever possible.

Having the beach a two-minute walk away makes this very easy.

This happiness is perpetuated through the Senior School.

“My children have grown in confidence and tell me they feel this is exactly where they belong,” said one parent.

An ambitious £3 million refurbishment programme ensures boarding students live in modern, stylish comfort in a country house setting with sea views.

St Leonards enjoys a rich sporting heritage and continues to boast a record of achievement, with boys and girls representing the school nationally in golf, rugby, lacrosse, hockey and basketball.

The St Leonards Golf Programme, in partnership with the Links Trust, and a new collaboration with Madras Rugby Club, are just some of the opportunities offered to students to ensure the highest level of coaching is delivered.

The school timetables are designed to establish a healthy balance of great sporting programmes alongside excellent academic studies.

In the sixth form, where all students follow the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, parents praise the curriculum for deepening learning and offering wider subject options.

This sixth form experience has equipped students with excellent university offers.

This year, 100% of St Leonards applicants were offered their first or second choice at universities in Scotland, the UK and internationally.

This year the top accepted choice by leavers was Edinburgh University.

For the second year running, St Leonards has been ranked by the Sunday Times as the No 1 Independent School sixth form in Scotland for IB/A Level.

In 2016, 86% achieved the equivalent of A*/A/B at A Level.

The school motto is Ad Vitam which means “for life”.

These words resonate in every aspect of the “St Leonards student experience” – a place where learning and friendships are made for life.

The open morning at St Leonards is on Saturday October 7 at 9.30. Register at registrar@stleonards-fife.org or on 01334 472126.

Life’s a beach... and so is learning at St Leonards.