Community

Community service is at the core of the ethos of Gordonstoun, both in terms of putting others before self and in the commitment to the wider community through a philosophy of learning through doing.

At an individual level the aims of the service encourage students to make a contribution to the local community through the provisions of help, support or companionship where required. This contribution helps the student develop a sense of social responsibility and sensitivity to others. Community Service students put others before self and membership of the Service is a commitment and discipline which will live with them as they go through life.

Students regularly visit residential homes, nursery schools, centres for the physically and mentally disabled, support autistic children and other similar projects where they can both assist and learn. The Service is continually expanding its range of projects and has an established group helping with Riding for the Disabled, with others working in the PDSA and Oxfam charity shops. Within the school itself some members assist with the crèche and others help with the very popular Princess Royal Trust for Young Carers activity evening in the Sports Centre. This year the Community Service Dance Company has been established to give workshops and performances in local venues as detailed above. All Service members help with the preparation, organisation and entertainment of both the carers and those whom they help and visit when they attend the popular and successful Christmas Party each year.

The Service is growing and all students are periodically rotated around the various projects in order to give each of them some awareness, experience and insight into as many of the assignments as possible.

Students who are members of other Services are always welcome to become members of Community Service – as a second service – in order to obtain a placement which will assist in obtaining Duke of Edinburgh Award qualifications.