Gordonstoun

Focus 

Education in action

Day fees 2025/26 

$57,100-$62,500

Boarding fees 

$80,800–$86,300

Term dates

• Term 1: 27 August to 11 December 2025
• Term 2: 7 January to 19 March 2026
• Term 3: 15 April to 25 June 2026

Ages

13-18

Pupil count

460

Spear’s Review

Founded in 1934, Gordonstoun is a relatively young school when compared with other British boarding schools. However, it is deeply connected to the nation’s history. Prince Philip attended the school during his teenage years – the school’s outward bound spirit inspired the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – and his son, King Charles III, was educated there along with his brothers.

Founded by educationalist Dr Kurt Hahn, who originally set up Germany’s Schule Schloss Salem, the school maintains its nature-centric ethos to this day. Gordonstoun offers a broader curriculum than many other British schools; as well as preparing pupils for GCSE and A-Level examinations, it offers education beyond the classroom, including a seamanship course where students learn to sail the school’s ocean-going yacht, Ocean Spirit of Moray.

Not as spartan as it might once have been, a Gordonstoun education still instils a sense of resilience that will be carried into adult life, all while carefully prioritising pastoral care.

Academics

Gordonstoun reported its best GCSE results since the pandemic in 2025, with 91 per cent of grades at 4 or above (the pass mark). Additionally, there was a 10 per cent increase in grades 7-9 on the previous year. 

Head teacher

Peter Green, previously executive headmaster at Rugby School, took over as principal of Gordonstoun in 2024. Green read geography at Edinburgh University and completed his PGCE at St Andrews. He has 17 years of headship and executive leadership experience, having served as a governor in several independent schools.

University and college destinations

According to the school, students from the class of 2025 are continuing on to universities including Cambridge, Oxford, UCL, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Durham, Loughborough and St Andrews, as well as universities in the US, Australia and Europe.

Admissions

Upon registration, applying students are asked to provide documentation including a copy of their school report and a reference from their current school. A personalised visit and an interview with the senior school head is then arranged. Gordonstoun undertakes its own assessments; rather than being purely academically selective, it seeks a range of talents. Depending on the child’s individual abilities, the school may require them to take additional tests in maths, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, as well as English for non-speakers.

Notable alumni

• Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
• King Charles III
• Heather Stanning (2012 Olympic gold medallist rower)

Accessibility

Inverness Airport: 1 hour / Aberdeen International Airport: 1 hour 40 mins

Location

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