Student wellbeing

Student wellbeing

As one of the best private schools in Scotland, we are a home from home for over 500 children and young people who live and thrive in a safe, friendly and welcoming environment set in a 200 acre beautiful woodland campus. Our pastoral staff are always there for students, whatever the issue, whatever the time.  

Every child’s personal development and wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do here at Gordonstoun. The Houseparent has overall responsibility for the happiness and safety of the students in their care and they live within the boarding house with their families (and even their pets)! Assistant Houseparents and Matrons help to provide the highest level of support and care. Whether the worry is a sore throat or anxiety about exams, help is always close at hand.

The house staff are also supported by a team of Key Stage Leaders who arrange social activities and provide additional guidance and advice. The School’s Saturday nights are a highlight of the week, with social activities usually run in year groups, but occasionally involving the entire school. They range from visits to the cinema and BBQs to ceilidhs and trips to the nearby beautiful beaches.

Of course, educational needs are a top priority too and each student is allocated their own Tutor. They meet up at least once a week to discuss progress and offer advice and support. The Tutor is a key point of academic contact for parents.

The School’s pastoral care team includes two counsellors, based out of our Healthcare Centre.

Our students can also draw support from the school Chaplain. Whilst Gordonstoun is primarily Christian, we have always welcomed members of other faiths – or no faith at all – to the school and provide spiritual support to them in any way that we can.

We are one of the last schools in Britain which meets every morning in chapel, to share information as a community before classes begin. The small but perfectly formed Michael Kirk was the original chapel for the Gordonstoun estate and it is set a little apart from the main school. This tiny Kirk plays an integral part in the school’s spiritual life, as a place of real retreat from what has always been a busy school day.

Safeguarding your children

There is nothing more important than your child’s safety. Our well-being and child protection policies and procedures follow the ‘getting it right for every child’ legislation. We are constantly reflecting on what we could do better, always making sure that the wellbeing and protection of our young people is integral to what we do here.

There are three documents which detail essential information about wellbeing and child protection here at Gordonstoun. The first is designed for parents, carers and students and outlines all key aspects of our processes, pastoral structures and child-protection procedures.

The second document is an Essential Guidance document which is given to every member of the teaching, support and management staff at the School. It is required reading for everyone right up to the School Governors as part of mandatory child protection training. It summarises our key principles, policies, procedures and processes, as well as key points of contact. Every adult employed by the School is contracted to understand, know and follow this guidance in their interaction with and protection of the children and young people in our care.

The third document, ‘Wellbeing and Child Protection Policy and Procedures’ details how we have adapted to changes in legislation and national policy. We adhere rigidly to the Children's Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 (implemented in 2013), the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2014, and the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. This document also reflects our own experience and shows our ongoing commitment to ensuring all adults who work with children and young people are fully aware of their responsibilities.

Please tell me more

Wellbeing, Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and Procedures

Duty of Candour Annual Report 2023

‘Outstanding’ and ‘Sector leading’ – HM Inspectors 2019