“Our heartfelt applause for a flawlessly executed summer program which has dedication and heart written all over it.”
We recognise you are entrusting us with your child’s care; it is a privilege and one we do not take lightly. Each student’s welfare is at the heart of everything we do. Since we run our own summer school, we run it to the same high standards and according to the same practices and policies as the main school.
Accommodation and Pastoral Care
Students live in the school boarding houses where they will be supported and looked after by house-parents and resident assistant staff.
Each boarding house is built differently and depending on the age and gender of your child, they are allocated to a house. Each boarding house is usually a mixture of single, double and 4 beds. Wash rooms are not en-suite, but still have privacy. Students spend very little time in their rooms; they are encouraged to be in the house relaxing with friends, watching a film, having a snack or playing table tennis. This is an important part of ensuring friendships grow amongst the students as a result of this family atmosphere.
Our mobile phone policy ensures access to devices, but also allows for students to spend time enjoying the course rather than be glued to a phone!
Throughout the programme both within the formal activities and at leisure, our staffing ratio of one member of staff for every three students ensures a high level of personal attention.
What's Included in the Cost?
- Accommodation and all pastoral care
- All meals with plenty of choice
- All academic tuition
- All sports and tuition
- All expeditions & sailing and adventurous activities
- All recreational activities and excursions
- All laundry
- Emergency Medical health cover while at GISS
- Airport transfers from/to Aberdeen (Dyce) or Inverness (Dalcross) airports
There are no extras other than any personal pocket money at parents’ discretion and travel & medical insurance which is highly recommended
Travel Arrangements
It is the responsibility of parents to make the travel arrangements for each student to reach Gordonstoun. Please do contact the office and we can support with options on travel and discuss any queries you have.
Unless you are confident that your children are able to change flights – and possibly terminals – with no assistance please register them as Unaccompanied Minors or, if transiting through Heathrow Airport, use Airport Angels. We do offer escorted flights from London to Scotland. Please contact the office for details.
Students will be met at Inverness and Aberdeen airports. If you are planning to arrive into Glasgow or Edinburgh airports, please contact the office for advice.
Food
We know food is really important! Our dining hall is used to feeding 500+ hungry students all year. For our courses, meals are carefully planned by to provide a balanced diet suited to the needs of all students.
There is a great deal of choice and alternative dishes will be available for vegetarians and students with medical or religious requirements. It is important that you complete our health form so that we are aware of your child’s requirements and can support them.
Gordonstoun’s Catering Manager has personal supervision of all the catering arrangements for the Summer School in the School’s beautifully appointed modern refectory.
Medical Attention
The School’s Healthcare Centre is fully staffed by our qualified nursing team throughout the GISS courses.
A doctor will be available throughout the whole of the Summer School. Excellent medical facilities exist in the school and a few miles away at Elgin.
Students should have their own private medical insurance in place before coming to Gordonstoun. As part of the application process we will provide details of a policy we have identified that may be of interest for families and can be purchased for a small additional fee.
Clothing
Casual, comfortable clothing for summer time in the UK is required. The weather in Scotland in July/August has an average temperature of 16-18°C (62°F) and often reaches 25°C (72°F) or more. These months are regarded as probably the best two months of the year in Scotland.
Dress throughout the day will be informal except for the Summer School photograph and final dinner, which will require a shirt & tie with smart trousers for the boys and equivalent for girls.
A suggested clothing list will be sent with administrative details on registration.
Laundry will be sent and returned twice a week.
Communication & Photography
Parent Communication
House parents will be parents’ primary point of contact and they will update you on your child’s progress. Prior to the start of the course you will be given email and phone contact details. The GISS office will also be staffed and there is always someone you can talk to.
Mobiles & Electronic Devices
Students will have access to WiFi, however, although electronic devices, including mobile telephones are allowed, their use is restricted to specific times during the day: morning before breakfast and after final period in the evening until just before bedtime. For the rest of the day, and at night, phones will be retained by their respective House Parent. Repeated abuse of our phone policy will result in confiscation of the device.
Parent Portal
We have a portal where parents can log in and see pictures of all the exciting fun that is going on during Summer School. (Prior to the start of Summer School we will send you a link for this.)
