Staff Spotlight: Adrienne Lean,
Gordonstoun Receptionist
Friday 17 April 2026
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In our Staff Spotlight series we enjoy speaking with the wonderful and varied Gordonstoun staff, discovering what inspires them in life generally and hearing about the specific things that make them who they are. This week we popped down to Reception and caught up with Adrienne Lean, the friendly face our visitors see when they arrive. We talked about life at Gordonstoun, her new-found love of running, the beauty of the campus grounds and her dream to leapfrog along the front of Gordonstoun! |
Tell us a bit about yourself, what you do and how long you have worked at Gordonstoun?
My name's Adrienne and I have worked as the receptionist at Gordonstoun since August 2024. Prior to working at Gordonstoun I worked in the beauty industry but, I have enjoyed doing several different things over the years.
What do you enjoy most about working at Gordonstoun?
It would have to be meeting all the people that come in; I enjoy meeting the students, because they're all so friendly and polite; working in such a lovely building and beautiful surroundings; and I just enjoy working with nice people.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I think raising two lovely children is a good achievement. However, running is a recent achievement. At the age of 51 I started running, entered a few events, and I now have a 10k run coming up quite soon. In the past I had two back operations, so learning to run was not the sort of thing I thought I could do. I am proud of myself for achieving this.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Health - I think the age I've got to now, and seeing a lot of friends being unwell, means happiness to me is health.
What is something surprising about you?
I can play a mean baddy in ‘panto’ and I once managed to do a perfect yoga pose on a paddle board. You’ll have to take my word for it though, as there is no photographic evidence!
What talent, real or fictional, would you most like to have?
I have always thought I would like to leapfrog over every single bollard along the front of G House. That is my goal and I'm going to do it one day! Watch this space
Is there a quote or saying you live your life by?
At the moment, I have a quote that I've literally just had put on the back of the T-shirt I'm going to be wearing for the Baxter 10k run.
“It's about the finish line, not the finish time”.
What is your guilty pleasure?
I just love ‘trashy telly’ - relaxing in front of the television and, just like a lot of people, chocolate.
What is your favourite time during the Gordonstoun year and favourite place within the campus?
I've only been here a year and a half, but I really enjoy the Highland Games and I just like seeing all the events outside, especially in the summer.
The South Lawn and overlooking the lake is just lovely. I'm going to spend more time sitting out there, at lunchtime, in the summer.
What advice would you give your younger self?
When I met my husband, he was about to go into the military, so I knew that there was going to be quite a bit of a travelling, frequent relocations and fresh beginnings. So, my advice would be to build on your family’s strengths and always find your happy moments.
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