St Leonards
Boarding, Day
Boys & Girls
Nursery & Pre-Prep, Preparatory, Senior, Sixth
Academic Life
St Leonards offers an internationally minded education from Kindergarten to Year 13 (ages 4-18) underpinned by the values of the International Baccalaureate (IB). Pupils in Years 12 and 13 follow the IB Diploma or Career-related Programme, and results continue to be excellent. In 2023, pupils achieved an average of 34 points, with nearly 20% scoring 40 points or above. St Leonards was named The Sunday Times Scottish Independent School of the Year for Academic Performance 2024.
Sixth Form pupils are increasingly looking beyond the UK for their next steps, with successful applications to universities across Europe and the United States. These include five recent Division 1 golf scholarships in the US. Meanwhile, the school maintains strong routes into top UK institutions, with pupils regularly gaining places at Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Durham, and Glasgow.
Breadth of Opportunity
There are over 50 co-curricular activities available at St Leonards, from drama and music to science, sport and outdoor learning. Pupils are encouraged to try new things and pursue their interests, wherever they may lie. Younger pupils enjoy regular Beach School sessions on the East Sands, blending exploration with classroom learning.
Recent highlights include the Eric Liddell Centenary Project, a pupil-led initiative that involved a six-day, 24-hour relay from Paris to St Andrews, raising over £24,000 for charity. The project earned St Leonards the Boarding Schools' Association’s Best Community Award 2024.
Sport and Golf
Sport is a key part of life at St Leonards. Every pupil is encouraged to find an activity they enjoy and can carry with them beyond school, whether that’s hockey, HIIT workouts, swimming or parkour. Pupils have recently represented Scotland in ice hockey and rifle shooting, achieved national success in cross-country and relay events, and made professional rugby debuts for Glasgow Warriors.
Over 180 pupils are enrolled in the school’s Golf Programme, run in partnership with the St Andrews Links Trust. The programme supports players of all levels, and pupils benefit from expert coaching, access to world-class courses and the best practice technology available. St Leonards has more Trackman monitors and Flightscopes than any other school in Europe.
Pastoral Care and Wellbeing
Pastoral care is a cornerstone of the school experience. Every pupil is supported by a tutor, and boarders are further supported by Houseparents and a team of Resident and Non-Resident House Tutors. Each section of the school has a dedicated pastoral lead, and a Deputy Head (Wellbeing) oversees the overall approach.
The school’s purpose-built Wellbeing Hub provides a safe, quiet space for pupils of all ages to recharge, reflect or speak to someone. The space is staffed daily by the Wellbeing Team, who offer informal support and encourage calm, mindful activities. Pupils also benefit from an on-site Medical Centre, staffed by a team of nurses, and access to the Junior School Wellbeing Trail, which is a nature path designed and maintained by pupils.
St Leonards received the BSA Award for Boarding Research in both 2022 and 2023, recognising its commitment to mental health and wellbeing. Pupil and staff wellbeing surveys are conducted termly, helping the school continue to listen and adapt.
Boarding Life
St Leonards is home to around 150 boarders from across the UK and around 30 other countries. Boarding is flexible, with full, weekly and flexi options available. Boarders live in three recently refurbished boarding houses, each with its own character and a warm, supportive atmosphere.
Evenings and weekends are full of activity, ranging from beach barbecues and pizza nights to cultural celebrations and day trips across Scotland. Boarders play a full part in school life and are encouraged to take the lead in shaping their own community.
Location
St Leonards is uniquely located in the heart of St Andrews, a historic university town on the east coast of Scotland. The campus is within walking distance of world-famous golf courses, beautiful beaches and the University of St Andrews. Pupils benefit from access to university facilities, including the library, and enjoy being part of a vibrant academic and cultural environment.
The town is easily accessible, just over an hour from Edinburgh and 20 minutes from Dundee, with nearby train links via Leuchars station.
Community and Ethos
At St Leonards, in line with our motto, we seek to prepare pupils ‘Ad Vitam’, for life, with its ups and downs, opportunities and challenges. Our motto originally belonged to Prior John Hepburn, one of the two founders of St Leonard’s College, which stood on our site from 1512 as a college for poor clerks. It was adopted by St Leonards School in the 1880s.
To this day, the motto ‘Ad Vitam’ underpins the values, policies, procedures and culture of our school community. St Leonards is particularly proud of its inclusive, down-to-earth and open-minded community. Pupils are known by name and supported to be their authentic selves. The school values kindness, ambition and curiosity, and encourages pupils to contribute positively to their school and the wider world.
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This short video offers a glimpse into life at St Leonards, highlighting our stunning coastal location on the east coast of Scotland and what makes our school community unique. It also features a welc ... -
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This short video offers a brilliant insight into life at St Leonards through the eyes of Martin, a boarder, International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme pupil, and member of the High Performan ...
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