St Leonards

Situated in the heart of St Andrews, St Leonards is a forward-thinking, co-educational boarding and day school, which offers an outstanding education from five to 18 years. St Leonards has been named as Scotland’s Independent School of the Year 2019, by the Sunday Times Schools Guide. For three years running, St Leonards has also been ranked by the Sunday Times as the Top Independent School Sixth Form in Scotland for IB/A Level results.

Editor Alastair McCall, has commended the school for its recent academic success: ‘No Scottish independent school can match St Leonards’ achievements in the sixth form averaged over the past four years’. In the Sixth Form, pupils follow the IB Diploma Programme, which has been praised by students, parents and university admissions officers for its focus on deepening learning, offering wider subject options, and enriching minds.

St Leonards Junior School is the first school in Scotland to be accredited to teach the inspiring International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. According to parents, ‘children are excited to go to school and return home brimming with ideas’.

Boarding houses are stylish and comfortable, with a ‘home-from-home’ feel. Two of the boarding houses, Bishopshall and Ollerenshaw, have recently undergone an extensive £4 million redevelopment, creating smart, yet homely social spaces and modern study bedrooms. Work to transform St Rule boarding house started in summer 2019, with the aim of creating a friendly ‘prep school’ atmosphere for younger boarders. Many bedrooms have sea views beyond the playing fields, and out towards the countryside and beyond. Full, flexi and weekly boarding is available from age 10.

With the beach just a two-minute walk from the grounds, well-established links with the University of St Andrews, and seven championship links golf courses on the doorstep, co-curricular activities play an important role in school life.

The leading five-tier St Leonards Golf Programme continues to go from strength to strength, the Duke of Edinburgh Award is the fastest growing of all Scottish independent schools, and an exciting calendar of trips and activities ensures pupils leave St Leonards equipped with the skills, and interests, required to succeed in today’s ever-changing world. Truly an education ‘Ad Vitam’.