St Leonards: Independent School Of The Year

Situated in the heart of St Andrews, St Leonards is a forward-thinking, co-educational boarding and day school, which offers an outstanding allround education from five to 18 years.

For three years running, St Leonards has been ranked by the Sunday Times Schools Guide as the Top Independent School Sixth Form in Scotland for IB/A Level results, and most recently, St Leonards was named the Sunday Times Scottish Independent School of the Year 2019.

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.

With more than 35 different activities on offer plus sports, and well-established links with the University of St Andrews, the St Andrews Links Golf Academy, Madras Rugby Club and the neighbouring Byre Theatre, St Leonards students have countless opportunities to develop academic and co-curricular interests.

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”.

Pupils enjoy a dynamic approach to learning in and outside the classroom. With the beach just a two-minute walk from the grounds, outdoor activities play an important role in school life.

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. Indeed, 100% of leavers last year who gained a place at university were offered their first or second choice.

Classes are small, and students choose a unique combination of six core subjects from an extensive list including maths, English, psychology, Italian and Japanese. This ensures students have a range of options open to them for further study and careers. A BTEC in business is available as an alternative to the full IB Diploma, and is studied alongside two or three IB courses.

Thanks to an ambitious £4m refurbishment programme, boarders live in modern, stylish comfort in a country house setting, where bedrooms have sea views beyond the playing fields.

The boys’ boarding house, Ollerenshaw, reopened in August 2018, following the first phase of redevelopment, which has created a smart, yet homely, social heart to the house.

Full, flexi and weekly boarding is available from age 11, while a bus service for day pupils runs from Cupar, Dundee, the East Neuk, Kirkcaldy, Leuchars train station and Perth.

A leading three-tier golf programme caters for players at beginner, development and elite levels. Students on the programme benefit from a personalised training schedule, individual and group coaching, and eligibility for a links ticket allowing access to all seven St Andrews Links courses.

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

Timetables are designed to establish a healthy balance of great sporting and co-curricular programmes alongside excellent academic studies.

Any day is an open day at St Leonards. To arrange a visit, please call 01334 472126, or email registrar@stleonardsfife.org. Visit stleonards-fife.org or facebook.com/stleonardsschool for more information.

Classes are small at St Leonards and pupils enjoy a dynamic approach to learning both in and outside the classroom.