GISS Course Details
Gordonstoun International Summer Schools
At Gordonstoun International Summer School (GISS) we have a dynamic timetable which keeps the students active and engaged.
The Gordonstoun motto is ‘Plus Est En Vous’ – there is more in you. By taking part in the extraordinary breadth of activities on offer we see this come alive in our students year after year.
We have a two-week junior programme (ages 8-11) and a three-week senior programme (ages 11-16). Both programmes offer a dynamic timetable which keeps the students active and engaged.
A Typical Day at GISSAt Gordonstoun we have a structured, dynamic timetable which keeps the students active and interested all day. |
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An example of a typical week on campus at our Summer School can be found below:
Build confidence in speaking, listening, reading and writing English through interactive lessons, games and real-life communication. Learn alongside students from around the world while developing the language skills needed to thrive in new situations.
Course Details
Junior Courses
Junior Course 1 - Friday 2 July to Friday 16
Junior Course 2 - Sunday 18 July to Sunday 1 August
Senior Courses
Senior Course 1 - Friday 2 July to Sunday 25 July
Senior Course 2 - Friday 9 July to Sunday 1 August
Study Choices
| English as an Additional Language (EAL) - Junior and senior programmes |
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| Build confidence in speaking, listening, reading and writing English through interactive lessons, games and real-life communication. Learn alongside students from around the world while developing the language skills needed to thrive in new situations. |
| ENGLISH Literature and Creative Writing - senior programme |
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| Explore powerful texts and develop your own voice through reading, discussion and creative writing workshops. Build confidence in analysing ideas, expressing opinions and crafting compelling stories. Suitable for students where English is their first language, or for those with a strong command of English |
| Junior innovators - junior programme |
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| Bring ideas to life through coding, robotics, digital design and creative technology projects. Develop computational thinking, tackle real-world challenges and discover how innovation can shape the future. |
| AI & digital innovation - senior programme |
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| Discover how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are transforming the world around us. Explore coding, digital creativity and ethical innovation while developing future-ready skills for a rapidly changing world. |
| International Citizenship - Senior programme |
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| Examine global issues, debate different perspectives and explore what it means to be an active global citizen. Through discussion, presentations and collaboration with students from around the world, students develop leadership, communication and critical thinking skills while learning how to make a positive impact. |
| Young Scientists and Explorers - Junior Programme |
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| Investigate the world through exciting experiments, discovery challenges and hands-on scientific exploration. Develop curiosity, problem-solving skills and a deeper understanding of how science helps us make sense of the world around us. This course is suitable for our younger students with a good level of English |
| Enterprise and Entrepreneurship – Senior Programme |
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| Turn ideas into opportunities through creativity, teamwork and real-world business challenges. Students learn how entrepreneurs identify opportunities, develop innovative solutions and present their ideas with confidence while building leadership, communication and problem-solving skills. |
Sport
Gordonstoun offers excellent sporting facilities, including a sports centre, climbing wall, indoor swimming pool, all-weather pitch, tennis courts and athletics track. Through a wide range of sports and the excitement of Interclan competition, students develop confidence, resilience and teamwork while forming friendships and discovering new strengths.
Creative Arts
| Art |
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| Gordonstoun’s art centre provides an inspiring environment where students can explore their creativity through a wide range of artistic projects. From designing t-shirts and jewellery to working with clay and textiles, students develop confidence, self-expression and creative skills while producing unique pieces to take home with pride. |
| Design |
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| In Gordonstoun’s workshops, students work with materials including wood, leather, glass, metal and enamel to design and create their own projects. Through hands-on making, they develop creativity, practical skills and problem-solving abilities while producing unique pieces they can proudly take home. |
| Music |
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| In music, students have the opportunity to explore different musical styles, discover new instruments or build on existing talents. Through collaborative rehearsals and a final performance, they develop confidence, creativity and performance skills while experiencing the enjoyment of making music together. |
Recreation and Social Time
| Visits and trips |
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| Students have the opportunity to visit some of Scotland’s most remarkable historic and cultural sites, gaining a deeper understanding of the country's heritage and traditions. These excursions broaden perspectives, inspire curiosity and provide memorable experiences that complement the wider GISS programme. |
| optional Activities |
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| Students can personalise their GISS experience by choosing from a wide range of optional activities, including horse-riding, golf, cookery, karting, paintballing, fencing and ice-skating. These opportunities encourage students to try something new, develop confidence and independence |
| Social Time |
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| Evenings are filled with a variety of social activities, including discos, ceilidh nights, quiz nights and house socials. These shared experiences help students build lasting friendships, develop confidence and independence, and become part of the vibrant international GISS community. |
Sailing & Outdoor Adventure
Our Outdoor Adventure Phase gives students the opportunity to discover they are capable of more than they ever imagined and is often one of the highlights of the summer.
Led by a team of qualified and experienced staff, the programme takes place over three days for junior students and six days for senior students, helping students develop confidence, independence and resilience while creating lasting friendships and unforgettable memories.
| Outdoor Adventure |
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| A highlight of each course is a unique adventure residential, based at our Gordonstoun Adventure Campus in the Cairngorm Mountains for junior students and on Scotland's spectacular West Coast for senior students. Through activities including canoeing, rock climbing, river tubing, zip lining, paddleboarding and hill walking, students develop confidence, resilience and teamwork while discovering what they are capable of. Senior students will also enjoy a memorable overnight camping experience in the Scottish Highlands. |
| Sailing |
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| Gordonstoun recognises the sea as a unique classroom for character education and sailing as one of its most distinctive traditions. Senior students will spend three days living and sailing aboard a tall ship with an experienced crew, exploring Scotland's beautiful coastline. Junior students will develop their sailing skills through dinghy sailing on Scotland's stunning lochs, building confidence, teamwork and independence on the water. |
Cost
The all-inclusive cost for the junior course is £4,800, and £6,950 for the senior course. The costs cover everything from the moment of arrival at Gordonstoun, or at one of our local airports, to the day of departure.
| What's Included in the Cost? |
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There are no extras, other than any personal pocket money (at parents’ discretion) and travel & medical insurance, which is highly recommended. |
“Lucky attendees get to sail around the Western Isles in a fleet of tall ships and try their hand at kayaking, gorge-walking and canoeing. It’s a course like no other – and it's little wonder so many children return year-after-year.”
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