Scottish Boarding Schools

[weescotlass]

We are considering boarding school for S5/6 for DC, who is very keen on the idea. Currently at a small rural school which, while good, is very limited particularly for extra curricular sports, and we feel DC is coasting academically.

So we're looking for recommendations for Scottish Boarding schools with the following criteria

Scottish curriculum
Co educational
Full boarding (would prefer weekly but distance would likely be too far)
Strong on sports, drama and music

TIA

No personal recommendations or experience but here's one list to start your search: https://www.boardingschoolsadvice.com/boarding-schools/boarding-schools-in-scotland/sc-co-ed-schools

Dollar, Strathallan or Glenalmond probably your best bet.

I've heard Dollar can be quite strict, but no first hand experience

I’d say Dollar but no personal experience. I worked in the town for a long time. The children who boarded seemed to do very well. Constant stream of buses picking up and dropping off kids for all sorts of sports. They’ve got a particularly large army cadet detachment too.

I think Dollar is the only boarding school which follows the Scottish Curriculum; there's St Leonards in St Andrews but I seem to remember they were going down the IB route for seniors.

Strathallan and Glenalmond both offer highers and A levels in S5/6 (but yes, GCSEs for younger years)

Thanks for replies. Does anyone have any recent experience of Dollar, Strathallan or Glenalmond? Especially as boarders?

I knew someone who did S6 at Gordonstoun for the same reasons you state. She loved it, made some firm friends and broadened her horizons ahead of uni. I think she got Highers results she needed during s5 at her rural school though, so her boarding school year was about building confidence, maturity and having adventures.

Lathallan but it's not very big. It's in a beautiful village though strong outdoors, sports and music focus.

@weescotlass I have PM’d you