Private school Gordonstoun School

GISS 2016

Age: 8-16 years old.

Dates, 2026:

8–11 years old:
3–17 July, 19 July – 2 August.

11–16 years old:
3–26 July, 10 July – 2 August

Gordonstoun School, founded in 1934, is one of the most famous and prestigious boarding schools in the UK. It is located in the city of Elgin in Scotland on the shores of the North Sea, a two-hour drive from Aberdeen Airport and an hour drive from the airport in Inverness.

The school was attended by members of various royal families, in particular, Prince Charles, the son of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, her husband, two sons and grandchildren. The building is surrounded by picturesque countryside, forests, fields and hills, which creates an ideal atmosphere for study and relaxation.

KEY FACTORS

• Pupils from 35 countries.
• Development of interpersonal communication skills and self-confidence through a huge number of cultural, creative and team events.
• 1 mentor for every 3 children.
• The school is away from the city and the noise, it is an ideal place for spending summer holidays.
• English classes are held in small groups of 6-7 people of different nationalities.

EQUIPMENT

A theatre, a library, well-equipped classrooms, a video room, a conference room, a dining room, volleyball, basketball, soccer courts, 4 squash courts, and a 400-meter track and field track. A 24-hour medical centre operates where a nurse is on duty. Gordonstoun has an excellent sports centre, a climbing wall, an all-weather astroturf pitch, an indoor heated swimming pool, four squash courts, 12 tennis courts and a 400m track.

PROGRAM

English (ages 8-16)

15 English lessons per week. Upon arrival at school, students take a test and then are divided into groups according to the level of knowledge of the language (elementary, intermediate, advanced). Particular attention is paid to the development of speaking so that children can communicate calmly and confidently. Students with a higher level of language will have the opportunity to meet and discuss the masterpieces of English literature, as well as the traditional English lifestyle. The training program includes reading newspapers and magazines, discussing world news. During the course, students write letters, diaries in English, as well as essays and articles on various interesting topics. At the end of the program, a certificate is issued.

Literature And Creative Writing(ages 8-16)

Program for students with a good level of English. The program includes the study of literature, reading and critical reflection of texts, the study of poetry and prose. At the seminars, students will create their own texts in different genres.

Computing (ages 8-16)

The training takes place on Microsoft software and includes training in various programs and applications: word processing, spreadsheets, databases, computer layout, PowerPoint presentations, multimedia, graphics, programming, control technologies and the Internet. Training does not require experience in these programs.

International Citizenship (ages 13-16)

This course is suitable for students who have a strong command of English or who are native speakers. It is aimed at improving spoken English through debates and presentations, but also with particular emphasis on the positive skills of dialogue to promote understanding and empathy; this is particularly in line with Hahn’s vision of young people from many nations as a ‘brotherhood’. Students will be encouraged to consider key global issues such as world religions, political ideologies, social media, fake news and the environment; they will learn to challenge what they are taught and to develop and express their own opinions in ways which celebrate diversity and promote global peace and co-operation.

Our Natural World (ages 8-12)

ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD

The residence is supervised by experienced tutors. Boys and girls live separately. Children live in single, double and quadruple rooms. Toilet and shower facilities are on the floor. Pupils spend very little time in their rooms; they are encouraged to spend time relaxing with friends, watching a film, having a snack or playing table tennis. This is an important part of ensuring friendships between pupils as a result of the family atmosphere.

A balanced diet with a huge selection of dishes. Separate meals for vegetarians, children with medical and religious restrictions.

SPORT

Gordonstoun has an excellent sports centre, a climbing wall, an all-weather astroturf pitch, an indoor heated swimming pool, four squash courts, 12 tennis courts and a 400m track. A wide range of sports and team games is available and attention will be paid to individual fitness and skills. Badminton, basketball, football, hockey, volleyball, tennis, squash, swimming and athletics are included.

Gordonstoun’s tradition includes education through experience in adventurous activities and ocean sailing – often the highlight for many students. A special feature of the three week courses will be the six day Adventure Programme. During this, students are looked after and instructed by a team of highly competent and experienced staff well used to teaching young people. Even our youngest students see this adventure programme as a special time and gain greatly in confidence from it.

Outdoor Adventure

Students will undertake a programme of adventurous activity: canoeing, rock climbing, abseiling, kayaking, coasteering, gorge walking, canyoning and mountain biking may be amongst the options offered.

Sailing

Students will spend time sailing off the beautiful Scottish Coast or on one of our many Scottish Lochs. Students will take full part in activities depending on age and experience.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

Optional recreation activities include horse-riding, golf, cookery, karting, paintballing, fencing, ice-skating or shopping.

In addition to studies and sports, students will be able to try their hand at art at design and technology workshops.

Art & Craft
Gordonstoun’s art centre will be the venue for tuition in art. In the past students have designed T-Shirts and silk paintings, made tiles and jewellery, and tried clay modelling.

Design
Students will be taught in the school’s workshops, where they will develop their abilities and be introduced to the skills of working with wood, leather, glass, metal and enamel. Items such as candlesticks, ornamental clocks and mobiles have been taken home with pride by students of all ages.

Music Making
In music making all students are involved in collaborating to create a concert at the end of the course. Beginners will learn an instrument and the musically gifted will have opportunities to showcase their talents.

ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES

In the evenings, between activities and during option sessions, there will be opportunities for individual choice and creative recreation; there will also be discos and socials. Outdoor facilities for football, volleyball and tennis will be available at all times.

Excursions

Options may include:

• The City of Elgin with its historic ruined Cathedral and museum.
• Beautiful scenic drive to the West Coast along the banks of Loch Ness, with possible sightings of the Loch Ness Monster!
• Inverness Castle in its historic setting on the banks of the River Ness.
• Cawdor and Brodie Castles – both of which are in easy reach of the school.

SAMPLE SCHEDULE OF THE DAY

7:30 – Wake up
8:00 - Breakfast
8:40 - Lesson 1
9:45 - Lesson 2
11:10 - Lesson 3
12:15 - Lesson 4
13:15 - Lunch
14:30 - Sport / activity
17:00 - Free time
18:00 - Dinner
19:00 - Evening activities
21:30 – Bed time

COST, 2026

8–11 years old: £4,650 for a 2-week course.
11–16 years old: £6,750 for a 3-week course.

Included in cost

• Teaching
• Testing to determine the level of language proficiency
• Educational materials
• Residence
• Meals - full board
• laundry
• Sports and leisure activities
• Excursions
• Certificate at the end of the program
• Airport transfers from/to Aberdeen (Dyce) or Inverness (Dalcross) airports

Extra paid

• Flight
• Visa
• Insurance
• Educational company services 

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT FROM OTHER COMPANIES

• We operate since 1996
• Choose camps with a minimum number of Russian speakers
• We place children only in camps which provides good accommodation
• Conducted a personal inspection of almost all the schools that we offer
• We do not work with the mass segment, only camps for discerning customers
• You can call us 24/7
• We inform you about the particularities of each course
• What customers appreciate us for

SCHOOL CAMP REPORT

Svetlana Nogotkova
Administrative and Visa Specialist and Boarding School Consultant
info@paradise-travel.ru

I met with Summer Programme Director Claire MacGillivray, who got her first job at the Gordonstoun Summer Programme in 1985 as a junior member of the school team.

Claire loved the school so much that she came back just a few years later to run the summer camp, which has been running successfully for 40 years and is ONE OF THE BEST 10 SUMMER CAMPS IN THE UK.

Every summer, boys and girls from over 40 countries look forward to coming to Gordonstoun School to spend three and a half unforgettable weeks here. It's a dream come true for all sorts of children, including those from royal and famous families from all over the world who change their names when they come here.

And no wonder! This is not just a language course, but a REAL adventure programme! During the first two weeks, children can choose to study English or Spanish, Computer Technology, English Literature and Creative Writing. Lessons are combined with music, art, drama, dance (which is taught at Gordonstoun to a very professional standard), design and technology and sport.

Afterwards, for a full 6 days, pupils travel to the West Coast of Scotland. The road passes through protected forests, picturesque mountain valleys, along the shores of the famous Loch Ness (an encounter with the Loch Ness Monster cannot be ruled out) The adventure programme includes rock climbing, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, hiking along the coastline.
Gordonstoun is the only school in the UK with its own large ocean-going 25 metre yacht and small yacht fleet. The highlight of the summer programme is a 3-DAY CRUISE TO THE ISLANDS OF NORTHWEST SHOTLAND under the watchful eye of a professional crew.

For the children it is a real challenge, building character, overcoming difficulties and fears. Even the youngest pupils describe the adventure programme as a special time when confidence is developed and horizons are broadened.

However, not everyone gets to come here again. The director of the summer programme said that the school conducts a strict selection of students, and those who behaved badly last time, violated rules and discipline, are not accepted again. This is how a favourable psychological climate and comfort are valued.