Forgandenny-based school to expand offering following surge in interest
Strathallan School in Perthshire this week unveiled two new initiatives to bring the Strathallan experience to new pupils in Scotland and around the world. In the centenary year of its move to Forgandenny, the school this week launched Strathallan Prep School and an online International A Level programme from Strath Worldwide, the school’s remote learning platform currently delivering teaching to pupils around the world.
From September 2020, Strathallan’s Junior House Riley will become Strathallan Prep School. With a focus on delivering an outstanding foundation education in the classroom and beyond, Strathallan Prep’s small class sizes and access to exceptional facilities will offer an extensive primary education for both local and boarding pupils. Since the announcement, the school has responded to a significant volume of enquiries by extending current provision to include a Year 4 (Primary 4) class for siblings and new pupils looking to enrol for September.
Strathallan Prep’s new Head Emma Lalani said:
“We are so excited to be able to extend our welcome to new pupils at the start of this new chapter at Strathallan. We have invested heavily in the whole school facilities in recent years and it will be a pleasure to make our educational, sport and recreational facilities available to more pupils as Strathallan Prep School grows.
Strathallan Prep offers a perfect balance: small classes and big resources. Our pupils enjoy the expertise of dedicated primary trained teachers and the input specialist subject teachers from the senior school. They have an idyllic place they can call their own while taking full advantage of the incredible resources right here on their doorstep.
I look forward to meeting and nurturing the next generation of Strathallan pupils in September.”
And with the expansion of the school’s hugely popular online learning provision Strath Worldwide, Strathallan is looking forward to being able to welcome pupils to the top end of the school albeit virtually, from all over the world as members of Strathallan’s first virtual house. Strath Worldwide, which grew out of existing remote learning provision in place at the school, which has been the school’s live teaching platform for all pupils learning at home during lockdown. In one term, Strath Worldwide has delivered over 7000 live academic lessons, over 4000 instrumental music lessons as well as weekly one-to-one tutor consultations, live sports activities and training sessions, ensemble rehearsals, social activities and House challenges.
A Strathallan parent said:
“I think the provision that Strath has provided is phenomenal, especially given the short time there was to prepare for it. I think the ability to put most areas of the curriculum online, weekly chapel, assemblies, house meetings etc has provided the continuity and the connection that the children need in these exceptional circumstances.”
From September, the Strath Worldwide A level programme will open up online learning to pupils around the globe, starting with International A Levels in a variety of subjects as well as English as an Additional Language. New online pupils will join Strathallan as members of a virtual House, which, along with access to the school for spring and summer camps, allows them to complete and authentic Strathallan experience during their time with the programme.
Of the two major developments, Strathallan Headmaster Mark Lauder said:
“I am pleased as Headmaster that the Governors have continued to invest in our Junior provision in the current climate, and I was delighted to appoint Emma Lalani as Head of Strathallan Prep. She is already a central figure in Riley House building on her previous experience of Prep School Headship I am confident that she will preserve the special feel and ethos of Riley as she steers Strathallan Prep School into the next stage of its development.
Our whole-school online teaching this term has allowed us to trial and refine the delivery of a new opportunity for pupils based overseas or unable to access Strathallan’s A level programme, and I am excited to be in a position to expand our capacity to deliver an outstanding education wherever pupils are in the world. This innovative programme will allow the continued expansion of our popular international provision to new markets well beyond current COVID-19 restrictions, allowing more students around the world to reap the benefits of a Strathallan education.
And to be founding Strathallan Prep School and rolling out Strath Worldwide to a whole new market of online learners in the Centenary Year of the school’s move to Forgandenny is especially appropriate.”
More information on Strathallan Prep can be found on the school’s website at: www.strathallan.co.uk/strathallan-prep