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Glenalmond College Announces Council Update

Glenalmond College has announced that Niall Booker will continue for a second, three-year term as Chairman of its Governing Council. Two new members of the Council have also been announced, with the appointment of David Fox-Pitt MBE and Christopher Reynolds.

Mobile Ban is Delivering Major Benefits to Glenalmond Pupils

A ban on mobile phones, and other devices, introduced by Glenalmond College just over a year ago, is delivering a raft of major benefits. Pupils at the leading independent school in Perthshire, have benefitted from increased social interaction and improved ability to focus on school work, during their first year in a phone-free learning environment. These benefits are underpinned by the findings of a new Education Scotland report on Glenalmond, published this month following a visit by HMI inspectors to the school in November. The outstandingly positive report highlights the good manners and courteous behaviour of pupils and their clearly-articulated pride in their school, as well as their exceptional academic performance.

Glenalmond Minibus Driver Congratulated for 20 Years of Service

A Glenalmond College minibus driver has this week stepped down from behind the wheel, after two decades of transporting pupils to and from the leading Perthshire independent school. Willie Simpson, who is also a well-known local farmer and breeder of prize-winning Highland ponies, is retiring from his driving duties. However, he still intends to keep playing at events, including Glenalmond ceilidhs, with his renowned Scottish country dance band. Glenalmond College has a fleet of liveried vehicles which provide a free transport service for families with children attending the school. The routes covered by Willie and his fellow drivers range from as far afield as Aberfeldy, Auchterarder, Rait, Bridge of Earn, Dunning and Crieff. New bus routes to meet local demand, including Burrelton and Glenfarg, are planned for next year.

Glenalmond Welcomes Outstanding Inspection Report

Glenalmond College has welcomed a glowing report from Education Scotland inspectors following their recent visit. Among the highlights of the education which Glenalmond provides, the inspectors praised the “high-performing school” with excellent academic results and a clear commitment to maximising the individual potential of young people. Hugh Ouston, Head of Glenalmond College, described the report as “overwhelmingly positive”, saying this was a reflection of the excellent standard of learning and teaching and the 100% commitment of all staff at the school. “The report pinpoints many strengths which we believe set a Glenalmond education apart,” said Mr Ouston. “Everyone in our close school community will be delighted to see this endorsement of our school’s commitment to an exceptional learning experience, academically and beyond the classroom, and of our dedication to consistent self-improvement.”

Glenalmond Pupils Complete Officer Training Course

Two former Glenalmond College pupils have recently passed out at Sandhurst, having completed an eight-week officer training course, after being selected for a much-sought after Gap Year Commission. Ben Humphries and Gregor Cochrane, who both left Glenalmond this summer, were selected, while they were still at school, from around 500 applicants. The Glenalmond pair were among only ten to be selected for the Commissions, following a rigorous selection process. They are now doing a further short course before joining their respective regiments this month.

Candlelit Service is Glenalmond Highlight

One of the highlights of the year at Glenalmond College is the Candlelit Service which is traditionally held at the end of term. It is incredibly hard to put into words what makes our end of term Candlelit Service so special. These photographs, taken at Chapel this evening, go some way to conveying the ethereal atmosphere which makes this service one of the standout events in our school calendar for pupils, parents and staff. Thanks to all involved - what a way to end our term.

Wildlife Calendar - 2020

A Perthshire school is celebrating the exceptional range of wildlife to be found on its grounds in the pages of a 2020 calendar, being sold in aid of the Scottish Wildlife Trust. The calendar features a dozen stunning wildlife images taken by local photographer, Rosanna Forbes. All of the profits from sales of the calendar will be donated to the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

Glenalmond College Invests Two Million Pounds in Facilities

The construction of a range of new, state-of-the-art sports facilities at Glenalmond College is one of the highlights of a recent multi-million pound programme of investment at the school. Almost £2 million pounds of investment has been undertaken over the past two years, as part of an ambitious, on-going programme to grow the leading Perthshire school, which combines academic excellence with an all-round education.

£2 million investment - November 2019

Cast of Glenalmond Musical Welcomes Canine Co-Star

A West Highland Terrier named Lottie has been offering support to Glenalmond College pupils and joining in with rehearsals for the school’s senior musical “Anything Goes” which will be staged at the end of this month. The friendly terrier has been enjoying accompanying her owner, Glenalmond’s Musical Director Tim Ridley, and the 34-strong cast during rehearsals and appears keen to be considered for the canine role of “Cheeky” in the fast-paced musical production. The musical, which features Classic Cole Porter songs such as "Anything Goes," "You're the Top," and "I Get a Kick Out of You", will be performed in the theatre at Glenalmond over four nights from November 28th to December 1, at 7.30pm.

Glenalmond College Invitation to Annual Choral Day Service

Around 100 pupils from junior schools around Scotland and the north of England will be uniting at Glenalmond College for its annual Choral Day celebration of song next Sunday, October 13th. The pupils from schools including Mowden Hall (Northumberland), Ardvreck (Crieff), Cargilfield (Edinburgh) and Belhaven Hill (Dunbar) will be gathering at Glenalmond for a day of singing as well as a range of fun activities. The day culminates with a Choral Day Service in Glenalmond Chapel, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm, to which the families and friends of pupils, along with members of the local community, are invited.

Fifty Pupils Successfully Tackle 1847 Challenge at Glenalmond

Fifty primary school children this week united in Perthshire to take part in the inaugural Glenalmond 1847 challenge, successfully tackling 18 activities in 47 hours. The wide-ranging activities the pupils were challenged with on the grounds at Glenalmond, ranged from kayak polo and making pots in a fire pit to building bug hotels and playing different musical instruments. One major highlight, however, was the opportunity to abseil down the flag tower located over the Front Arch which forms the main entrance to Glenalmond.

Glenalmond Grounds Team Makes Final Preparations for Open Day

Staff in the grounds team at Glenalmond College are making their final preparations for the school’s Open Day next week, which looks set to host a record number of visitors. The team, which looks after the school’s extensive grounds totalling more than 300 acres, is determined to ensure the school looks its very best for what promises to be one of the best-attended Open Days it has hosted for many years.

Construction of New Indoor Golf Facility Underway at Glenalmond

Work is now underway to create a brand new indoor golf facility as part of Glenalmond College’s new Golf School, ahead of the centenary of Glenalmond Golf Course next year, and pupils from local primary schools will be invited to get involved. The new facility is being 100% funded by former Glenalmond pupils keen to support the school as it ramps up its golf offer. It is being built by local construction firm, Algo Ltd, and will see the creation of an indoor facility which will host two full simulation bays featuring the latest ball flight technology. The work, which will also see the creation of a six-hole indoor putting green, is part of a substantial project to increase the school’s profile as a centre of excellence for golf.

Pupils Share Favourite Memories of Glenalmond

Ahead of our Open Day on September 21st we are launching this short video, filmed at the end of last term, in which five of our final year pupils explain why Glenalmond is such a special place to learn.

Welcome Back

We're delighted to be welcoming our pupils back to Glenalmond this week and a special welcome to all those who are new to the school!

Trio of Rugby Legends Celebrate Partnership with Perthshire School

A trio of Scotland rugby legends united at Glenalmond College today to celebrate the start of a unique partnership between the school and London Scottish FC. All three - Gavin Hastings OBE and former Glenalmond pupils Rob Wainwright and Iain Morrison - also celebrated the opening of “Woodburn”, a new pitch-side facility for rugby and lacrosse at the Perthshire school. The rugby internationalists, who have all played for London Scottish, joined a gathering of local people, pupils and former pupils to watch an open training session at Glenalmond which is the new official school partner of London Scottish.

Glenalmond Welcomes 300 Chinese Young Ambassadors

More than 300 Chinese Young Ambassadors have enjoyed taking up residence at Glenalmond College during the past two weeks. The Chinese youngsters were in Perthshire to join in the musical celebrations as part of the City of Perth Salute which returned for its third year in Perth city centre. The parade of international pipe and military bands was joined by local bands from across Perthshire for a fantastic family event which saw high spirits despite some challenging weather.

Exceptional GCSE Performance by Glenalmond Pupils

Pupils at Glenalmond College have performed exceptionally well in this year’s GCSE exams, with 28% of results achieving 9 - 8 grades, equivalent to A*. The impressive results, set against the background of the tougher reformed GCSE specifications introduced in 2017, saw 11 Glenalmond pupils achieving A* - A grades (or 9 - 7), with children performing particularly well in STEM subjects. Highlights include very strong performance in Triple Award Science, where 100% of the results were 9 - 6 grades, and Further Maths, where 92% of the results were A* - A grades.

Aerial View

Glenalmond Pupils Reach High Note with A-Level Results

Two Glenalmond College pupils, who were in one of our school bands together, are celebrating reaching a high note in their academic careers today (August 15th, 2019) after being awarded excellent A-Level results. Alex Wallace, from Dunfermline, and Angus Grierson, from near Methven, were among the Glenalmond pupils who have contributed to the exceptional results which have seen Glenalmond recording its highest percentage of A* A-Level grades for five years. More than 12% of Glenalmond results were A* grade and a remarkable 30% of all the results were A* - A grades. These results are set against a backdrop of the national performance which has seen the proportion of students achieving top grades at A-level fall to its lowest level for more than a decade.

Glenalmond Reinforces Academic Credentials with Excellent A-Level Results

Pupils at Glenalmond College have achieved outstanding results in their A-Level exams, continuing a consistent trend of high academic performance by the school in recent years. Glenalmond has recorded its highest percentage of A* A-Level grades for five years. More than 12% of Glenalmond results were A* grade and a remarkable 30% of all the results were A* - A grades. A 100% pass rate was achieved by pupils in 13 A-Level subjects, including Geography and History. Pupils also performed particularly well in the Language subjects with, for example, all pupils who sat the French A-Level achieving A* - B grades.

Goodbye to David Stott

Our thanks and very best wishes for the future go to David Stott who leaves us this week for pastures new after six years of service.

Stotty

Strong Higher Performance by Glenalmond College Pupils

Glenalmond College has performed strongly in the 2019 Highers, with pupils achieving a 100% pass rate, grade C and above, in several subjects including English and History, according to the results published by Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) today.

Hugh Ouston

Introducing Michael Alderson

Find out more about our new Warden, Michael Alderson, and his wife Emma ahead of their move north to be with us permanently early next year.

Michael Alderson

Sixth Form Geography

A Level and Higher Geography pupils undertake fieldwork in Glen Clova at the end of last term.