Pandemic brings jump in admissions inquiries for Gordonstoun School

SCOTTISH boarding schools, including Gordonstoun, have seen unusually high numbers of inquiries from city-based families this past year.

Almost 6000 families from London alone have used the Scotland's Boarding Schools and Scottish Council for Independent Schools websites to research boarding schools in Scotland over the past 12 months.

Admissions teams say interest appears to be driven by the effects of lockdown and by parents’ desire for their children to grow up with access to open spaces.

A Gordonstoun School spokesperson said: "We’ve noticed for a while that there was an increase in inquiries from city-based families who wanted their children to escape an urban environment.

"Then we had all the publicity surrounding the death of HRH Prince Philip.

"Sometimes it’s hard to unpick one definitive reason why a parent is interested in our school but these are both definitely factors at the moment."

Director of the Scottish Council of Independent Schools, John Edward, said: "During lockdown many families were cooped up together in major cities like London and dreamed of an idyllic childhood with easy access to wide open spaces and a safe environment.

"That is something that Scotland has in spades and our members are seeing an increase in inquiries from city-based families as a result."

This Saturday, May 22, between 10am-4pm, Gordonstoun will be one of 14 Scottish boarding schools which will come together to host a drop-in virtual event for prospective families, where people can browse schools and virtually meet head teachers and admissions personnel.

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