GISS - Gordonstoun International Summer School in the UK

Activity

8 - 16 years

15 hours of lessons per week

8 students per class maximum

6 students per class on average

180 students in total

02. Jul - 01. Aug 2027

£ 2400 per week (circa)

Rural

Airport transfer costs are included

There is more in you

Founded in 1976, the Gordonstoun International Summer School (GISS) delivers a distinctive, adventure-based learning experience on the historic Gordonstoun campus in Scotland. Guided by Kurt Hahn’s educational philosophy, GISS emphasizes teamwork, resilience, and international connections through activities like offshore sailing and mountain climbing. The summer school provides a dynamic environment where young people from around the world can form lasting friendships and create unforgettable memories.

Find out more about the boarding school Gordonstoun School.

Courses

Gordonstoun International Summer School (GISS) offers a varied programme that keeps students actively involved and engaged.

There is a two-week Junior Programme (ages 8–11, £4,800) and a three-week Senior Programme (ages 11–16, £6,950). Both programmes combine academic study with sport, outdoor adventure, and creative activities.

Courses

Junior:

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Junior Innovators
Young Scientists and Explorers

Senior:

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Literature & Creative Writing
International Citizenship
Enterprise & Entrepreneurship
AI & Digital Innovation

Activities & Excursions

Afternoon Activities

Alongside the core programme, students choose from a wide range of afternoon options, including horse riding, cookery, karting, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. Creative options in art, design, and music are also available.

Excursions

Day trips take students to historic castles, cultural landmarks, and some of Scotland's finest landscapes.

Outdoor Adventure & Sailing

A highlight of the Summer School is the Outdoor Adventure phase – three days for Juniors and six days for Seniors. Guided by experienced staff, students build confidence, teamwork, and independence – often the most memorable part of the summer.

Outdoor Adventure

The adventures are run by the Gordonstoun Adventure Campus – in the Cairngorm Mountains for Juniors and on Scotland's West Coast for Seniors. All students take part in a range of outdoor pursuits, including canoeing, kayaking, climbing, mountain biking, abseiling, sailing, hiking, and caving. A special experience is a night spent camping together in the Scottish Highlands.

Sailing

Senior students spend three days aboard a Tall Ship with an experienced crew, sailing along Scotland's spectacular coastline. Juniors sail smaller boats on Scottish lochs – an experience that stays with them.

Pastoral Care & Accommodation

The Gordonstoun International Summer School is run by the same experienced teams that lead the renowned boarding school, ensuring the highest standards of care, safety, and quality. Students live in the school's boarding houses, where they are warmly looked after by Houseparents and Resident Assistants.

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