THE FIRST STEP
Finding the right school for your child can be a daunting experience. Our Admissions Team are here to help you every step of the way – from your first enquiry, right up until when you arrive with your child on the first day of their Ardventure. Our Admissions Registrar, Annie Le Roy-Lewis, has a wealth of knowledge, not only about Ardvreck, but also about how it feels to be a parent at this stage of your child’s life. Annie will do her best to put you at ease – with no question too large or too small!
Completing our enquiry form will help us to take your first step with you – be that a request for a prospectus or to book a visit.
A WARM WELCOME
Nothing can quite convey the essence of a school than a personal visit. We welcome prospective parents to Ardvreck at any time during the year but we would always encourage you to come to the school during term time when the school is at its busiest. Some prospective parents bring their children with them, whilst others prefer to make a first visit on their own and return with their child at a later date.
Our Registrar will let you know how the visit will run on the day you visit, although it will usually include a meeting with our Headmistress and a full tour of the school by our senior pupils. You are always guaranteed a warm welcome!
We are also able to organise online video calls with the Headmistress and can always answer your questions via telephone or email to ensure that all the needs and aspirations of your child are discussed.
TASTER DAYS
Taster days are an important part of the admissions process and allow your child to get to know the school, the grounds and their future classmates. A school brother or sister will look after your child during the day (or overnight for boarders) and will help your child immerse themselves in a school day to include lessons, games, art and music. Each child will wear our school uniform and have a gentle assessment carried out by their form teacher. These taster days are invaluable as they also give us the chance to get to know your child before we offer them a place.
We also hold a Spring Weekend to which all our prospective children are invited. The children will enjoy an overnight stay and a wealth of indoor and outdoor activities so that your child can get to know their surroundings and their peer groups in a relaxed and informal way.
REGISTRATION
If you feel that Ardvreck could be the school for your child, we will encourage you to register your child for the appropriate form and entry date to avoid later disappointment. Registration (along with a fee of £150) does not guarantee a place at the school unless a taster and assessment has already been carried out and a place has been offered to your child. A deposit of £500 will be requested once you accept the offer of a place.
Our places fill up very quickly, with some year groups already very full. Registration ensures that you are kept informed of news, updates and changes at the school prior to your child starting. Please let us know if you would like to register your child.
THE BRITISH ARMED FORCES
Since 1883, Ardvreck has welcomed families from His Majesty’s Armed Forces. The Continuity of Education Allowance enables you to select the very best boarding school for your child. We believe the mark of an exceptional school is one that is competitive and compassionate to its pupils and, particularly in the formative years, allows a child to have the ability to become a ‘larger fish in a small pond’ which is precisely what we offer at Ardvreck. We understand the importance of fixed exeats for military families as well as exceptional pastoral care, stability, continuity of care and a warm familial welcome that creates a happy and supportive home from home.
Staff are regularly on stand-by to help families with travel arrangements and deal with emergency calls from parents who have forgotten to pack an item (or three) for their child’s term at school. Ardvreck School is resilience personified. Nothing can stop its feisty ethos and this is exemplified in how the school is supporting families with ongoing Covid-19 travel restrictions and procedures. We are here to help every step of the way to ensure the safety and happiness of your child. We offer bespoke travel options to Glasgow and Edinburgh airports as well as chaperoned, direct trains from London to Gleneagles.
ARMED FORCES FAMILIES Q&A
Meet the Ardvreck boarding team and our Headmistress for a fun discussion and advice on what to look for in a boarding school for your children and how boarding schools can support your family in the armed forces.
11am on Wednesday, 21st June 2023
- Meet Ardvreck’s Headmistress, Ali Kinge
- Advice on how to choose the best school for your child, including what to look for and key questions for parents to ask Headteachers
- Delve into our amazing boarding provision led by David Knock, Head of Boarding
- Open Q&A – with Ardvreck team and current Armed Forces parents
THE AULD ALLIANCE
Each year we provide a warm welcome to a number of children from across France for English language immersion. Children aged 7 to 13 have the option to join us for a summer term, a full academic year or for even longer!
Our French visitors quickly become part of the Ardvreck Family. They enjoy all academic lessons, outdoor pursuits and sporting activities and are supported on an individual basis with one-to-one language tuition. Our French pupils embrace life at Ardvreck and make long lasting friendships with their Scottish peers.
From 1 January 2021, European pupils who want to attend Ardvreck can stay in the UK as a student for up to 6 months without a visa. You will need to apply for a Short-term Study Visa if your child will be in the UK for more than 6 months and up to 11 months. You will need a Child Student visa if you want your child to attend Ardvreck for more than a year. (A Child Student visa lasts for six years so they can come back to visit again).
INTERNATIONAL PUPILS
Whilst we have a strong French connection we also welcome children from around the world.
We welcome British children whose parents live or work abroad and also internationals who come to enjoy a first class education in a Scottish setting. We are very proud of our Scottish heritage and relish sharing Scottish traditions with our international visitors.
From 1 January 2021, international pupils who want to attend Ardvreck can stay in the UK as a student for up to 6 months but may need a Visitors Visa. You will need to apply for a Short-term Study Visa if your child will be in the UK for more than 6 months and up to 11 months. You will need a Child Student visa if you want your child to attend Ardvreck for more than a year. (A Child Student visa lasts for six years so they can come back to visit again).
SCHOOL FEES
We are conscious of the cost of independent schooling and are dedicated to providing the best education through small class sizes, enthusiastic and skilled teachers and a wide-ranging co-curricular programme.
Ardvreck’s school fees are set annually and are as inclusive as possible. Any additional charges for clubs and trips will be notified to parents in advance. We know that some families need financial assistance of which more details can be found below. For more information please contact the bursar.
School Uniform
The following clothing list provides details of the clothing requirements for pupils attending the various stages of Ardvreck School. If you have any questions please contact either the school matrons or our uniform supply.