Strathallan School is an independent boarding and day school whose mission to provide an outstanding education for all stands true to its original foundation over 100 years ago. Harry Riley founded Strathallan in 1913 with the ambition to create a school where there would be opportunities for every pupil to excel, and the vision is one held true today.
The School is fully co-educational and numbers 580 pupils, of whom 270 are day pupils and 310 are boarders.
Situation. Strathallan School is located 6 miles south of Perth in the village of Forgandenny. It occupies an idyllic rural location, situated in 150 acres of richly wooded estate on the northern slopes of the Ochils and overlooking the Earn valley. At the same time, Strathallan is within easy reach of the international airports – Edinburgh (35 minutes) and Glasgow (1 hour).
At the centre of the School is the main building which dates from the 18th century and was formerly a country house and home of the Ruthven family. The School continues to invest in outstanding facilities, which have seen a £23m investment since 2005. These include modern laboratories, a Theatre, Computer Centre, Library, Design Technology Centre, Sports Hall, Fitness and Weight Training Room, 2 Floodlit Synthetic Hockey Pitches, Indoor Multi-Sports Facility, Dance and Drama Studio, Medical Centre, Art School and newly refurbished Boarding Houses. All boarding houses have been built within the last thirty years with modern facilities and a single study-bedroom for every boarder in their last four years.
Aims. The school’s mission is to provide an outstanding education that gives opportunities for all pupils to perform to the very best of their abilities. Each individual, no matter their passion or interest, is supported and inspired to shine during their time at school. Our aim is to send pupils out into the world with close friends and the ability to make new ones, and with the knowledge and skills to succeed at university and beyond.
Organisation. The School is primarily a boarding school yet also takes day pupils who are integrated into the boarding houses. There are four Senior boys’ houses (Ruthven, Nicol, Freeland and Simpson). There are three girls’ houses (Woodlands, Thornbank and Glenbrae). All boarding houses have their own resident Housemaster or Housemistress, assisted by House Tutors and a Matron. Boys have single study-bedrooms from the Fourth Form and girls have single study-bedrooms from the Third Form.
Strathallan Prep School, launched in September 2020, has its own Head Teacher and has Riley as its boarding house. It is designed to cater for boys and girls wishing to enter the School at age five. Riley is run by a resident Housemaster, assisted by House Tutors and two Matrons. After Riley, pupils move directly to one of the Senior houses. Strathallan Prep School is the perfect balance of small classes with big resources. Its pupils enjoy the expertise of dedicated primary school teachers and the specialist input of subject teachers from the senior school. Strathallan Prep School and Riley House are situated within their own area of the campus, yet also enjoy the facilities of the main School.
The whole School dines centrally and there is a wide choice of hot and cold meals as well as vegetarian and vegan options. All boarding houses have small kitchens for the preparation of light snacks.
Religion. Strathallan has a Chapel and a resident Chaplain who is responsible for religious studies throughout the School.
Curriculum. Two of the keys to academic success are an ethos of continuous improvement and support from high quality, passionate teachers, and we pride ourselves on providing just such a learning environment. In addition, all pupils receive support from a tutor linked to their house and there is a full-time Careers Advisor to help with opportunities available beyond school. In 2020, the School became the first in Scotland to offer a triple pathway, including A Levels, one- and two-year Highers, and Advanced Highers, providing choice and flexibility in the face of a diverse range of tertiary education and employment options after school. In 2023, 85% of pupils achieved their first choice university.
Junior. Boys and girls entering Strathallan Prep School follow a course designed for the transition between their previous school and joining the senior part of Strathallan School at the age of 13. The following wide range of subjects is taught: Art, Computing, Design Technology, Drama, English, French, Geography, History, Latin, Maths, Music, PE, Personal and Social Development, Religious Education and Science. Courses are generally based on English Key Stages Two and Three.
The aim is to ensure pupils have an appropriate basis in the core subjects to move on to further study whilst also providing experience in specialist areas taught by subject experts. Teachers are careful to take account of ability and previous learning, guaranteeing each pupil works at an appropriate level for them and progresses at the right pace.
Third Form. Pupils in the Third Form participate in the following wide range of subjects: Art, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Design & Technology, Drama, English, French, Geography, German and Spanish, History, Latin, Mathematics, PE, Physics and Religious Education. They are given a grounding in the skills necessary to pursue the subjects in the future should they wish, and an experience which is worthwhile in itself. All subjects are taught by specialists.
Fourth Form and the start of GCSE study. The two year GCSE course begins in the Fourth Form. All pupils study English, Mathematics, at least one Modern Language and two of the three Sciences. In addition, each pupil studies History or Geography (and can study both), plus two other subjects from an extensive choice. The aim is to ensure that pupils keep their options open, pursue a well-rounded curriculum, and establish a good basis for Sixth Form study.
Pupils are supported in their study not only by the individual teachers and the Heads of Department but also by a tutor who is linked to their house. A system of Merits and Distinctions rewards both individual pieces of outstanding work and continuous hard work and achievement. It is a central aim of the academic programme that pupils’ efforts and achievements are recognised.
Sixth Form. Nearly all pupils stay on into the Sixth Form where the normal entry requirement is five passes at grade C or above at GCSE level. It is a special feature of Strathallan’s Sixth Form that there is the flexibility to choose either A Levels or Scottish Highers. The choice is determined by the needs of the individual pupil. There is a wide range of subjects (currently the widest curriculum in Scotland), including: Art & Design, Biology/Human Biology, Business Management/Business Studies, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation/Classical Studies, Computing Science, Design & Technology/Design & Manufacture, Drama, Economics, English, French, Geography, German, Graphic Communications, History, Latin, Mathematics, Modern Studies, Music, Music Technology, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies/RMPS, Spanish and Theatre Studies, with the option to include an EPQ.
The formal academic curriculum is supplemented by an extension programme of talks, visits and exchanges. We have well-established links with continental schools, and visits to theatres, galleries, courses and conferences in the UK and abroad often take place. Extracurricular activities and societies complement academic study and enhance pupils’ interest in learning and discussion through activity beyond the classroom.
Each pupil is allocated a tutor who is a member of the academic staff and one of the duty staff of the boarding house. The tutor monitors pupils’ academic and social progress and is responsible for discussing their regular reports with them.
Games. The main School games are rugby, cricket, hockey, netball, athletics and tennis, and standards are high. Other sports include skiing, squash, rounders, football, fencing, judo, badminton, table tennis, basketball, swimming, golf, horse riding and cross-country running in all of which national and regional success have been achieved in recent years.
Strathallan has two squash courts, 15 hard tennis courts, three netball courts, two floodlit synthetic pitches, a heated indoor swimming pool, two sports halls, gymnasium, a fitness and weight training room and a dance and drama studio. One sports hall comprises a basketball court, three badminton courts, a rock-climbing wall as well as facilities for six-a-side hockey and indoor cricket coaching, while the other has three full-size indoor tennis courts, with a multi-play surface, allowing a multitude of sports to be accommodated. Sailing, canoeing and skiing are recognised pastimes, and pupils participate in School ski days in the Spring term. Strathallan also has its own nine-hole golf course as well as Tennis and Shooting Academies.
Activities. All pupils are encouraged to take part in a range of activities for which time is set aside each day. There are over 50 weekly activities to choose from including dance, drama, pottery, chess, photography, first aid, lifeguarding, judo, horse riding, shooting (both clay pigeon and small bore) and fishing. There are also many societies and a programme of external speakers who visit the School. Pupils can also work towards awards under The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and John Muir Award schemes and are encouraged to take part in community service.
Music. The Music department has its own concert room, editing suite, keyboard room and classrooms, together with a number of individual practice rooms. Music may be taken at GCSE, Higher and AS/A2 Level. Over 40 different ensembles rehearse every week, including choirs, traditional music ensembles, jazz band, wind band, an orchestra, folk bands and rock bands. A house music competition takes place annually and there are regular concerts throughout the term. Individual tuition is available for virtually all instruments.
Piping. The Piping and Drumming Department have two full-time piping instructors and a full-time drumming instructor, as well as visiting staff. Individual lessons take place in our designated department and are available throughout the year. Pupils can work towards SQA qualifications in Piping and Pipe Band Drumming. We have three prize winning Pipe Bands which take part in events across the world including the Barbados Celtic Festival and the New York Tartan Day Parade as well as appearances at Hampden Park and Murrayfield Stadium.
Art. Art is recognised as an important part of the School’s activities and there are opportunities to study the subject at GCSE and AS/A2 Level. Pupils benefit from regular art trips abroad and have the opportunity to exhibit their work both locally and further afield. A purpose-built Art School features facilities for ceramics, sculpture and print-making. National awards reflect pupils’ achievements in this area.
Drama. Drama thrives throughout the School and the department makes full use of the Theatre as well as the purpose-built Dance and Drama Studio. There are junior and senior performances each year and pupils are encouraged to become involved in all aspects of production. The School also provides tuition in public and verse speaking and pupils regularly win trophies at the local festivals. There is also an annual Musical and pupils enter musical theatre exams.
Combined Cadet Force. There is a large voluntary contingent of the Combined Cadet Force with Navy, Army and Marines Sections.
Careers. Careers guidance begins in the Third Form. The Careers Adviser maintains close links with universities and colleges and regularly visits industrial firms. We have exchange programmes with schools in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. There is a dedicated Careers Library, well-stocked with prospectuses, reference books and in-house magazines. Strathallan is a member of the Independent Schools Careers Organisation, a representative of which visits regularly and of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry.
All pupils have the opportunity to gain work experience in the Fifth Form, after their GCSEs. There is also a GAP year programme which provides placements for pupils to work overseas prior to going to university. Strathallan has particularly strong links with charities in Kenya.
Pastoral care. At Strathallan, there is a strong emphasis on pastoral care. The School has drawn up its own welfare guidelines in consultation with parents, governors and Perth and Kinross Social Work Department, and was rated ‘Excellent’ by the Care Inspectorate in 2019.
Health Centre. Strathallan has its own purpose-built Health Centre with consulting and treatment rooms. There are nursing staff at the Centre and the School’s Medical Officers visit four times a week. Physiotherapy, chiropody, and relaxation also take place in the Centre during term time.
Entrance. Strathallan Prep School Entrance – Boys and girls are admitted to Strathallan Prep School at either age 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12. An Entrance Day is held in early Spring each year for those who are available. Entry is based on a satisfactory school report and assessments in Maths and English.
Entry to the Senior School – Candidates for entry into the Senior School at age 13 may enter via the Open Scholarship examination in February, Common Entrance or a satisfactory school report.
Sixth Form – Boys and girls may also enter at Sixth Form level, either via the Sixth Form scholarship examination in November or on the basis of a satisfactory school report and GCSE/Standard Grade results.
Scholarships. Awards are made on the basis of competitive examination/assessment. Bursary help is available to supplement awards for outstanding candidates on a financial need basis.
Awards are available in the following categories to candidates entering the school at three levels:
Junior School: Academic, Music and Sport. Candidates should be under 13 years old on 1 September in the year of entry. Scholarship Examination: January.
Third Form: Academic, Music/Piping, Art, Performing Arts, Drama, All Rounder and Sports. Candidates should be under 14 years old on 1 September in the year of entry. Scholarship Examination: February.
Sixth Form: Academic, Music/Piping, Art, Performing Arts, Drama and Sports. Candidates should be under 17 years old on 1 September in the year of entry. Scholarship Examination: November.
Bursaries. Bursaries are awarded dependent on financial circumstances and are available to pupils who have qualified for entry through assessment, scholarship or school report or a combination. It is not necessary for successful candidates for bursaries to have achieved scholarship standard but it may be possible to add a bursary award to a scholarship to enable a pupil to come to Strathallan. Armed Forces fee remission available.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Prep School: £11,868-£12,142 (boarding), £6,242-£7,296 (day); Senior School: £17,009 (boarding), £11,126 (day).
Prospectus. Up-to-date information is included in the prospectus which can be obtained by contacting the Admissions Office or via the School’s website.
Charitable status. Strathallan School is a Registered Charity, number SC008903, dedicated to Education.
Governors & Staff:
Board of Governors:
Chairman: Mr M Griffiths, LLB Hons, CA
Prof E Alton, MA, MD, FRCP, FHEA, FERS, FMedSci
Mr E Anderson, MA
Mr N M Campbell, Bacc CA
Ms Alison Clark, BA Hons, MSc
Mrs C Clark
Professor J Crang, BA, PGCE, PhD, FRHist, FRSA
Dr E Doherty, BSc, MBCHB, DFSRH, MRCGP
Mr S Fairbairn, MA, LLB, Dip LP NP
Mr R Gibson
Mr D Gillanders
Mr S J Hay, BA, MSc
Mr I Hutchison, Ceng FIMechE
Mr P Johnston, FCCA
Mrs E Lister, BSc, DipEd
Mr A Naasan
Professor G Paton, BSc, PhD
Mr A Sinclair, BSc
Mr A Wood, MRAC, FRICS
Headmaster: Mr M Lauder, MA
Assistant Staff:
Mrs T Ailinger, Staatsexamen, Cert TESOL
Mr J Ambrose, BA Hons
Mrs C Angus, MA, PGCE Primary
Mrs F Barker, MA, BD, MTh
Mr D J Barnes, BSc, PGCE, PGCG, FRGS (Deputy Head Pastoral)
Mr I Barrett, BA Hons, PGCE
Mr G J Batterham, BSc, PGCE (Simpson Housemaster)
Mrs K Bergin, BEd Hons
Mr M Bergin, BSc, PGCE (Nicol Housemaster)
Ms S Birrell, BA Hons
Dr K E M Blackie, PhD, PGDE, BSc
Dr B Cooper, BSc, PhD, PGCE
Mrs M-L Crane, BA, PGCE
Mr S Dick, BEd (Riley Housemaster)
Mr A L M Dunn, MA, PGCE
Mrs Z Ettle, LLM, PGCE, PGDip (Woodlands Housemistress)
Mr J Fraser, BMus
Mr G N Gardiner, BSc, PGCE
Mr D R Giles, BA QTS, Cert PP
Mr F Glancy, BA Hons, PGDE
Dr K Goundry, MA, PhD, PGDE
Miss E Grubb, BA Hons, MSc, PGDE
Ms K Haddick, MA Hons, PGDE
Mrs S E Halley, BSc, PGDE
Mr S Hamill, BA (Deputy Head Academic)
Mr N A Hamilton, BMus
Mr A D Henderson, UKCC
Mr W Herbert, BA Hons
Mr D M Higginbottom, MA, PGCE
Mrs J Higginbottom, MA, PGCE
Mrs R Hodson, MA, PGCE, MSc
Mrs C G Howett, BA, Dip Ed
Mr J Johnston, BA, PGDE
Mr E Kalman, BSc, MPhil
Mr P J S Keir, BEd, Cert SpLD
Mr L Kent, BSc, PGCE (Thornbank Housemaster)
Mrs C Laird-Portch, BA Hons, PGCE
Mrs E C Lalani, BEd, Dip Man (Head of Strathallan Prep School)
Mrs C Leadbetter, BSc Hons, PGDE, MEd
Mr E Lee, MA, PGCE
Miss R Leese, BSc Hons, PGCE
Mrs C Marjoribanks, BSc Hons, PGCE
Mrs F MacBain, MA (Assistant Head, Sixth Form)
Dr J Mace, BA Hons, MA, DPhil (Deputy Head Pastoral)
Mr R Macleod, BSc Hons, PGDE
Mr J McAuley, BA Hons, PGDE
Mr R McDermott, BEd, MEd
Mr I McGowan, BCom Dip Teaching (Ruthven Housemaster)
Ms S Mackay, BA, MSc, PGCE
Miss B McKay, MA Hons, PGDE
Mr K McKinney, BSc, BEd
Mr B Miles, BA Hons
Ms G Miles, MSc PGCE
Dr I Mitchell, BSc, PhD
Mr S Mitchell, BSc, PGCE
Mr C Muirhead, BA
Mr T Ogilvie, LTA CC
Ms A Pfupajena, BSc Hons, PGDE
Mrs T Rankin, BSc Hons
Mr D Richardon, BA
Mr G S R Robertson, BA, DMS
Miss C Roome, MA, MLitt, PGDE
Mr S Rose, BEng Hons, PGCE (Freeland Housemaster)
Mr G Samson, BSc Hons, PGCE
Dr F Sapsford, MA Hons, MPhil Cantab
Dr T Sharples, MChem Hons, DPhil, PGDE
Mrs H Shere, BA Ed Hons
Miss A Sime, BEd (Assistant Head, Co-curricular)
Mrs S Simon, BMus Hons, PGCE
Mr C Swaile, MA Hons, PGDE
Mr J Thompson, BSc
Mrs A J Tod, MA, PGCE
Mr M R A J B Tod, BSc, PGDip
Mrs K Troup, BS, MA, PgCert
Mr P M Vallot, BSc
Ms A Wardlaw, BSc
Miss C Warren, BSc Hons
Mr A Watt, BComm, HDE (Assistant Head Organisation, Director of Studies)
Mrs L Waugh, BA, PGDE
Ms K Wilson, BSc, PGCE (Glenbrae Housemistress)
Revd J Wylie, BSc, BD, MTh
Dr T Zhou, MSc, PhD
Bursar and Clerk to the Governors: Mr A C Glasgow, MBE, BEng, MSc, CEng
Director of External Relations: Mrs C Bath, BA Hons
Admissions Manager: Mrs A Johnstone, BA Hons
Alumni & External Relations Manager: Mrs A Wilson , BA Hons, MBA
Digital Media Manager: Mr D Glasgow, MA Hons
Marketing Manager: Mrs H Lewis-McPhee, MA Hons, MLitt
Medical Officers:
Dr L D Burnett, MBChB, BSc, DRCOG, MRCGP
Dr A M Lewis, MBChB, MRCGP