Strathallan School


Strathallan School is an independent boarding and day school in Scotland for boys and girls aged 9–18. The school has a campus at Forgandenny, a few miles south of Perth.

School roll

The school has 99 full-time staff, and 10 part-time staff. It has pupils as follows:
BoardersDay pupilsTotal
Boys186124310
Girls16480244
Total350204554

History

Strathallan School was established in 1913 by Harry Riley from Yorkshire. It was originally located at Bridge of Allan, from whence it derives its name. By 1919, the School had approximately 120 pupils. In 1920, the school moved to the current, more spacious buildings at Forgandenny.

Headmasters

The curriculum is largely based on the English system, with some elements of the Scottish system. Most pupils study for GCSEs, although some study for Standard Grades in one or two subjects. Then, in their last two years, in sixth form, they study for either A-levels or Scottish Highers. 95% of pupils go to university, including a number to Oxford University, Cambridge University, and University of St Andrews. 82% of this year's A level entries were graded A*/Bgrades.

Sixth form subjects

The school offers the following courses to Lower and Upper Sixth Form students:
A-LevelHigher
ArtArt
BiologyBiology
Business StudiesBusiness Management
ChemistryChemistry
Classical Civilisation–
ComputingComputing
Design & TechnologyCraft & Design
EconomicsEconomics
EnglishEnglish
FrenchFrench
GeographyGeography
GermanGerman
HistoryHistory
Latin–
MusicMusic
Further Maths–
MathsMaths
Philosophy Philosophy
PhysicsPhysics
PsychologyPhysical Education
SpanishSpanish
Theatre StudiesDrama
Extended Project QualificationReligious Education

Extracurricular activities

Pupils also participate in sport, drama, music, and other extracurricular activities. The school offers sports including rugby, cricket, field hockey, netball, football, athletics, squash, swimming, tennis, golf, badminton and skiing. Music also plays a vital role in the school, with many pupils playing in orchestras or ensembles such as a jazz band, pipe band or various choirs. A scholarship scheme is also available to talented pupils in a range of categories, including Academic, Art, Design Technology/Arkwright Scholarship, Music, Performing Arts, Piping, and Sports. The school organises regular drama productions and a significant number of pupils achieve London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art awards. Pupils can also gain degrees from the London College of Music and Trinity College of Music through the school. Other activities include Combined Cadet Force and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. Strathallan is also notable as the only school in Scotland with a Royal Marine cadet Troop.

Boarding houses

The school has eight boarding houses in operation, including a Junior House for children from 9 to 13: Riley, Freeland, Nicol, Ruthven, Simpson, Thornbank, Woodlands and Glenbrae. Riley has two separate wings for boys and girls.
Glenbrae was named after the school's original site in Bridge of Allan prior to 1920. A need for a new girls boarding house was realised several years back when both existing girls boarding houses reached capacity.
Leburn House existed until 1990.

Controversies

In 2005, Strathallan was one of 50 independent schools in Britain found guilty of running a price-fixing cartel.
In 1998 a female teacher sued the school for discrimination alleging she had been sacked because she was unable to coach rugby at the mostly male school.
In 1995 two former pupils were found guilty and fined for drug possession after police had been called to the school in 1993 and found them in possession of cannabis resin. Charges against the pair relating to being involved in the supply of drugs at the school were dropped.

Notable alumni