The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
New chapter
Perthshire school extends its welcome
As stated in the recent Good Schools Guide review, “Glenalmond is set for a cracking future”.
2017 sees the start of an exciting new phase of development for the Perthshire boarding and day school, with two new houses opening in September, improving the provision for junior pupils and creating new places for girls within a new girls’ house.
Cairnies, Glenalmond’s new junior house, will provide the perfect transition to senior school, giving boarding and day boys aged 12-14 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 will provide an excellent base for junior year groups. Friendships can be made, new activities tried and fresh challenges faced.
Housemaster Peter Golden says: “All Cairnies boys will be 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 will 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 in September 2017, and will be home to girls aged 12-18. This house is in the very heart of the school and will enable Glenalmond to expand its girls’ boarding and day provision to meet increasing demand.
Housemistress Andrea Goodall says: “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 is matched by expansion 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, along with other new subjects including computer science and dance. The timetable has also changed to increase the time devoted to teaching and academic study.
Well-known as a leading boarding school, Glenalmond is keen to welcome more day pupils,and this year held its first ever day pupil open day. The school has also introduced a new day pupil pricing structure to make a Glenalmond education more accessible for local pupils.
Glenalmond College’s warden (headteacher) Elaine Logan says: “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 again, “Get in fast, Glenalmond is on the up and up”.