Glenalmond College
Glenalmond College
Glenalmond
Glenalmond College is set on an impressive 300-hectare campus near Perth in Scotland – perfect for a true boarding school adventure! With around 80% full boarders, Glenalmond offers the full boarding experience: most pupils live on campus throughout the week.
A definite highlight: alongside a strong sports and outdoor programme, the school naturally offers golf – as one would expect from a Scottish school. The theatre and especially the art department are also well worth seeing – anyone looking to explore their creativity will find the ideal environment here.
The Details
The Academics
GCSEs and A-Levels are offered as school-leaving qualifications.
Glenalmond College is not particularly academically selective, which makes its 2024 exam results all the more respectable: 43% top grades (9–7) at GCSE and 55% A grades at A-Level. The excellent teacher-pupil ratio of 1:7 certainly plays a part in this success.
For especially high-achieving pupils, Glenalmond offers the exclusive William Bright Society – an academic enrichment programme open by invitation only to the school’s top minds. Members receive tailored support and preparation for leading universities. No surprise, then, that in 2024 no fewer than seven Glenalmond pupils applied to Oxbridge!
Languages Taught
English as a Foreign Language, French, Ancient Greek, Latin and Spanish.
The Boarding
Three quarters of pupils live in one of the school’s seven boarding houses, contributing to a vibrant boarding experience. Most pupils share a room with one or two others, with single rooms available from Upper Sixth – or earlier, if you’re lucky. Most teachers live on campus too, which helps build a strong sense of community and provides excellent academic support.
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
The outdoor programme at Glenalmond College is varied and of high quality. Pupils take full advantage of the campus terrain for canoeing, white-water kayaking, climbing, caving and sailing. The new mountain bike trails were developed at the pupils’ own initiative and swiftly brought to life by the Head – a great example of pupil voice in action.
These experiences build confidence and resilience. Pupils can even fish for salmon in the River Almond, which runs through the campus!
Glenalmond also has a strong sporting tradition, with particular strengths in rugby, hockey and golf.
In the arts, both the Head of Art and the Artist in Residence are practising artists themselves, bringing genuine enthusiasm to the department. And the facilities are impressive: a digital photography studio, drawing tablets with Adobe Suite, a screen-printing workshop, a printing press and a kiln for 3D work.
Weaknesses
In recent years, we felt the mix of international pupils at Glenalmond College was not as balanced as we would have liked. In particular, the Year 11 cohort included, in our view, too many German pupils. The school has assured us that it is actively working to address this.
Location
Glenalmond College is located on the edge of the Highlands, just 30 minutes from the beautiful Scottish city of Perth.
For nature-loving pupils who are eager for outdoor adventure and a relaxed learning environment away from the pressure of ultra-academic schools, Glenalmond College is an ideal choice .
Give us a call – we’ll get in touch with the school and ask how many German-speaking pupils are currently enrolled.
Take a look at similar schools
Gordonstoun School
St Leonards School
Strathallan School
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