Internationalism

One of the fundamental objectives of the broader curriculum at Gordonstoun is the promotion and understanding of internationalism.

We believe students who think globally have the ability to see the bigger picture and be constructive and compassionate international citizens in a constantly changing world.

We are home to children of over forty different nationalities and this wonderfully diverse range of individuals makes up around a third of the entire student population. This broad mix of young people with different backgrounds, experiences and values promotes acceptance, understanding and tolerance while also giving our students the privilege of living within a culturally diverse community.

Internationalism is reinforced throughout the senior academic curriculum through a specially designed course in International and Spiritual Citizenship (ISC). This course covers spiritual development, health education, environmental issues and life skills in an international context.

There are also opportunities for experiences abroad, either through Round Square conferences, International Exchange or International Service Projects. Round Square is a worldwide organisation of over 100 schools founded in, and named after, one of Gordonstoun’s most distinctive buildings. The members share a commitment to personal development and responsibility through many of the elements of a Gordonstoun education – Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership and Service. Our relationship with these schools and this organisation provides many opportunities every year for students to attend conferences around the world.

International Exchange is an exciting option where students in Year 10 spend a term studying at another school in countries as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, Denmark, Germany or Canada.

International Service Projects run during the Summer holidays of Year 12. Students must raise funds and then work for local communities in either Thailand (where Gordonstoun has run a water project for over thirty years), Kenya (where we help equip schools and build classrooms) and Romania (where we have been supporting an orphanage for over 10 years).

Interested in more information about our Senior School?