SCOTS SCHOOLS TRUMP THE U.S.
PRIVATE schools in Scotland have seen a surge in inquiries from Americans who want their children to avoid coronavirus.
Boarding schools say there have been ‘positive signs’ on admissions figures since the start of the term, with a noticeable surge of youngsters from the United States. It follows President Donald Trump facing criticism over his handling of the coronavirus crisis.
At Gordonstoun, near Elgin, Moray, its remote location set on a 200-acre campus has attracted a significant amount of interest.
The £13,750-a-term school, where Prince Charles, his father Prince Philip and younger brothers Andrew and Edward were educated, is also pioneering new teaching methods during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Some of the school’s youngest pupils were trying out the newest ‘classroom’ – a teepee –
‘A pioneer of outdoor education’
with teacher Ellie Renton and curriculum manager Steve Cook this week.
Six-year-olds Archie, Amelia, Isla, Finley, Amie, Iona, Lucas, Rose, Isla, Vera and Cassisus discovered that maths lessons are a lot more enjoyable when you combine them with making pancakes in the open air.
Lisa Kerr, Gordonstoun principal, said: ‘We have seen a significant increase in the number of inquiries from the US and, as a result, more students joining us from the US than we would normally expect.’
She added: ‘Gordonstoun is a pioneer of outdoor education and our classrooms have always come in many shapes and sizes.
‘Even more learning is taking place outside the classroom in exciting environments.
‘Our new tepee is just one of the solutions we came up with and you can see that the children love it.’