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What it's like

Founded in 1841 as Trinity College by Mr W E Gladstone and others, it stands in magnificent countryside, 10 miles west of Perth, beside the River Almond on the edge of the Highlands. It has an estate of about 300 acres, with beautiful gardens and playing fields. The main buildings, grouped round two quadrangles, belong to the Victorian collegiate style, with neo-Gothic features, towers and turrets. There have been many modern developments, including most recently a second astroturf pitch and a science block. The chapel, built by the Episcopalian founders, is one of the finest in the country, now with a new pipe organ. Religious education forms part of the curriculum and all denominations attend chapel. Girls were first admitted to the sixth form in 1990 and throughout the school in 1995. Academic standards are high and results consistently very good. Music is very strong and plays a central part in school life. The theatre is in regular use and art is also strong. There is a wide range of sports and games in which the college has long had a reputation for excellence (a large number of representatives at county and national level). A wide range of clubs and societies caters for most needs. The College has its own golf course, salmon fishing in the River Almond, ice-climbing, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and hill walking (Munro Club). There is a large CCF with two pipe bands. A substantial commitment to local community services and an excellent record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 12-18; 395 pupils, 64 day (30 boys, 34 girls), 331 boarding (187 boys, 144 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 12, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own entrance tests used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs/S-grades (grade B/2 in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. 20% of pupils from state schools (plus occasionally to sixth form). Feeder schools include Lathallan, Cargilfield, Ardvreck, Craigclowan, Belhaven and St Mary's.

Scholarships & bursaries

Up to 15 pa scholarships: usually 6 academic, 2 all-rounder, 2 art, 5 music (awarded at 12, 13 and 16). Variable number of bursaries, for children of clergy and armed forces; means-tested help for those in financial need. Maximum extras 150 per term.

Parents

5+% in the armed services; 25+% are doctors, lawyers etc; 30+% in industry or commerce. 30+% live within 30 miles (80% within 70 miles); up to 10% live overseas.

Head & staff

Warden: Gordon Woods, appointed 2003. Educated at Durham School and Oxford University. Previously Head of Geography and Second Master at Shrewsbury School. Teaching staff: 43 full time, 8 part time. Annual turnover up to 5%.

Exam results

GCSE: 59 pupils in fifth: 93% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects; 7% in 5-7 subjects. A-levels: 75 in upper sixth. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 318.

University & college entrance

98% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (30% after a gap year), 5% to Oxbridge. 8% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 32% in science and engineering, 7% in law, 32% in humanities and social sciences, 11% in art and design, 11% in vocational subjects eg education, agriculture, music.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 23 subjects offered (including politics, sports studies). Sixth-form courses leading to AS/A-levels. Strong tradition of classics supported by travel bursaries for study in Greece and Italy. 22% take science A-levels; 54% arts/humanities; 24% both. Most pupils take key skills. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Arrangements made for teaching ESL and for dyslexic pupils. Languages: French, German, Spanish and Italian offered at GCSE and A-level. Regular exchanges to France. Several European pupils completing British exams for entry to European universities. ICT: Taught as a discrete subject but principally as a tool for all subjects. 65 computers for pupil use (16 hours a day), networked and with email and internet access; wireless access throughout the school.

The arts

Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 10 musical groups including orchestra, wind, brass, pipe bands, chamber group, string quartet, choirs, rock bands. Several pupils in Perth Symphony Orchestra and Scottish Youth Orchestra. Drama: GCSE and A-level theatre studies offered. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions and house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 15 take GCSE, 12 A-level. Design, pottery, photography, screen printing also offered. Pupils regularly gain art college places in Edinburgh and North of England; many family connections with art world.

Sports & activities

Sport: Rugby, cricket, hockey, netball are main sports. Also tennis, golf, squash, badminton, lacrosse, volleyball, basketball, sailing, windsurfing, climbing, sub-aqua, shooting, aerobics and many more. RLSS exams may be taken. National, 3 Scottish rugby trialists; county representatives in rugby (U18, U16), hockey (U18, U16, boys and girls), cricket. Activities: Pupils take silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF compulsory for 2 years at age 14, optional in sixth form; Army and RAF sections (large, flourishing pipe band). Community service optional; plays, Christmas party etc for local elderly and disabled. Up to 30 clubs, eg debating/public-speaking, sporting, drama, flying, skiing, Scripture Union, musical, art and design, historical, photography.

School life

Uniform: Relaxed uniform worn by all; kilt worn on Sundays and formal occasions. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Captains of college, heads of houses and house prefects appointed by the Warden and housestaff. Religion: Episcopalian. Attendance at Chapel services is compulsory; wide variety of denominations. Social: Public-speaking competitions, theatrical productions and dances with local schools. Skiing trips abroad; frequent holiday trips (eg La Rochelle, French Alps, Rome); hockey and rugby tours; exchange programme with Brooks School in USA. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals informal. School shops (tuck and sports equipment). No tobacco allowed. Upper sixth-form bar opens once each week. Sixth-form centre.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect extra work or detention; any involvement with drugs would result in immediate expulsion.

Alumni association

is run by David Sibbald, 21, Ravelston Park, Edinburgh EH4 3DX.

Former pupils

Sandy Gall (TV newscaster); Lord Wilson (former Governor, Hong Kong); David Leslie, David Sole and Rob Wainwright (Captains of Scottish Rugby XV); Lord Sanderson of Bowden (politician); Allan Massie (novelist); Phil Kaye, Robbie Coltrane, Alastair Mackenzie (film and TV); Adair Turner (business); Lord Falconer.