Are the academics really very poor at Gordonstoun?

[SchoolDilemmaScotland]

Have name changed for this. We are deciding on senior school at the moment for DD and are in Scotland. We really like the ethos and look of Gordonstoun but I’m really stumbling over the academic results. They are very much lower than other schools. Are there any current or past Gordonstoun parents who could give their opinion? I understand that academic results aren’t everything but I think they should be considered.

what about the summer school?
how is that compared to, for example, pgl?

We are friends with a family who have children at Gordonstoun. At least one of their ds’s requires some additional support and would possibly be in the lowest academic sets. They are thrilled with the support school provides. In particular the teachers seem to be very encouraging and generally want every child to achieve the best they can.

Thank you @SomethingInTheWaySheCooks that's really good to hear.

Perhaps a bit late to the thread but I’ve had/have 3 at Gordonstoun

The eldest is happily now in the second year at uni & still talks with great affection about her time at Gordonstoun. It taught her resilience, compassion and an understanding of the global nature of our world due to its international mix of students

The middle one achieved decent GCSE’s for them & is enjoying A levels balanced with being in a drama production & sailing around the outer Hebrides on the schools ocean going ketch

The youngest got 9 x 9’s & 1 x 8 (which includes an extra GCSE taught by a very dedicated teacher in the evenings) which I believe puts them in the top few % in the UK. Students can & do achieve top grades at Gordonstoun but they need to want to do the work to get them whilst also playing sport, outdoor activities, music, service to others etc

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/gordonstoun-must-look-after-abused-ex-pupil-says-lzncf02b7

My sister has just pulled her kids out due to bullying. There are some super aspects to the school, but overall it’s arrogant and really poor academically. They say they’re world leading in Character Education but that’s mostly because they’ve got no idea how the rest of the world caught up and surpassed them years ago. Some good staff but also some very poor staff. Unless you live in Moray I’d give it a miss.

Dd is in her second year there now. She’s 15. I can honestly say, we are all absolutely thrilled she’s there. She runs to school after every holiday/weekend at home. The pastoral care is very good and I have a Ds at another well known top boarding school, where I would rank it quite poor. She has a lovely bunch of down to earth friends. Lots of extremely rich people there too, but I haven’t come across any arrogance.
The breadth of activities has enabled her to shine across the board. She’s even contemplated going on the Oxford trip (which we’d never have imagined). There have been some incidents of poor behaviour from pupils, which I feel have been dealt with appropriately. We are also really pleased about the relationship the school invests in with parents. We feel connected and part of the community. This isn’t always the case with boarding.
On the academics front, the school is not selective in the same way other top boarding schools are. This is reflected in their results. It’s also not an academic hothouse. Dd had scholarship offers for a different school like that which would have been far from right for her. However, the teaching and support is in place for pupils to achieve good results, if they decide to go for it.

Wow I remember you asking this very question 2 years ago how time flies. Glad your daughter is enjoying Her time at Gordonstoun. As I have said on one or two other posts, there are Academic Pupils not Academic schools hence why you have a plethora of schools in London for example who were never seen as Academic schools historically but have suddenly all become quite Academic.

I’m sorry to hear about your sisters children’s experience @WoodenClogs , in this day & age there really is no excuse for bullying for any school. I do hope they’ll be happy wherever they go to school next.

As for academics, the opportunity and support is there IF the student wants it and is prepared to put the work in. My youngest is predicted 4 A Stars at A Level & while I know they may not achieve these in their A levels they should get at least close. These would be acceptable to most universities and equal to many selective schools. Their teachers have been great, offering extra work and support and going the extra mile. I certainly appreciate all their help.

We've attended GISS several years and were plagued with issues; corporal punishment, bullying, racism and endless miscommunication (often no communication).
One child was severely ill with suspected COVID on a 3-day sailing trip. Our son was forced to sleep in the mess (kitchen) and no medical attention was given. They sequestered the teen to a cabin and continued on without a care.
The administration is concerned with profit and reputation, not students well being.

Gosh I'm surprised to hear this. You attended for several years? I know that the Summer School did not run at all during the two COVID summers, and was only back up and running last year after a two year hiatus. What years did you attend? Would be really good to know.

The year prior to COVID, last year and unfortunately again this Summer. We tried to obtain a partial refund and cancel his attendance, but they ignored our requests siting "lost email". Our son intended to be a regular term boarder but due to ongoing problems, we're looking into other schools closer to London or Edinburgh.

I am just really astounded at this post @RMV. Please can you elucidate on the 'corporal punishment'. I am a current parent of a very, very happy child and have just asked them about this; they have absolutely no experience of anything like that happening to anyone they know (as it should be), also no experience of bullying or racism and they are an ethnic minority...

Hi, please could you be in touch with Claire, the Director of the Gordonstoun Summer School as soon as possible? I passed on this distressing post, and she was, of course, really concerned and would like to talk about it. Hoping you will email [email protected] for her urgent attention. Thank you