St Leonards School in St Andrews has secured success on a national level once again, having been named winner of the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) Boarding Research Award for the second consecutive year.
The leading independent boarding and day school, in the heart of St Andrews, has made a name for itself as a centre of excellence for research into residential education, and scooped the national award at the annual BSA Heads’ Conference in Bristol on 2 May.
This most recent award recognised sector-leading research into maximising opportunities for UK-domiciled boarders in a market where there is an increasing trend towards attracting international students to Scotland and the wider UK.
The research was conducted by Julianne Pennycook, Housemistress of St Rule, our home for junior boarders at St Leonards, as part of her Masters in Residential Education (Research in Practice), completed in February of this year with the University of Buckingham.
Considerations ranged from changing parent cultures and habits to the increased cost of living and the emergence of international schools overseas catering for UK expats. As part of the project, Julianne spearheaded an initiative at St Leonards to open doors to flexi and weekly boarding, in particular for children aged 11-14.
Julianne Pennycook, Housemistress, said: “The purpose of my Masters was to enhance by knowledge of boarding and give the best possible experience to the students in my house. I wanted my research to have an impact on my setting here at St Leonards, to support its continued excellence in boarding and day education. To receive recognition with this award is incredibly validating.”
Simon Brian, Head of St Leonards, said: “To win this prestigious national award once was fantastic, but for a second year in a row is truly outstanding. I am proud of the boarding team here at St Leonards, and the research Julianne has conducted over the past two years is testament to her dedication to delivering, pursuing and promoting the highest standard of pastoral care.
“St Leonards has excelled as a pioneering boarding and day school since its foundation in 1877, and as we approach our 150th anniversary year, our School continues to go from strength to strength.”
Click here to find out more: St Leonards is a leading independent day and boarding school in St Andrews, Scotland, for pupils aged 5-18.
It was Scotland’s Independent School of the Year 2019, and the UK’s Independent School of the Year 2022 for International Student Experience. In 2022 and 2023, it has won the BSA Boarding Research Award and is a centre for excellence in residential education.