Beyond the Classroom

Glenalmond offers a full programme of cultural, artistic, sporting and educational school trips and exchanges.

We have links with a number of schools abroad, and one of the biggest highlights is our international exchange with Brooks School in Massachusetts, USA. This really engages our Lower Sixth Form as they vie for the right to be one of the pupils chosen to take part in this prestigious exchange.

There are many other trips: Italy to experience the historical and linguistic delights of cities like Rome; the Alps and beyond for ski camps which help pupils to improve their skiing or take it to a more competitive level; and theatre trips to the likes of Stratford upon Avon.

Our Friends of Glenalmond travel awards also allow members of the Upper Sixth Form to fund trips abroad which may be connected with their examination subjects or a charitable cause they want to support. For further information, please get in touch with Richard Myers.

Open to 4th Form pupils to attend Kingswood College in the Easter Cape of South Africa for one month in the Trinity Term. Kingswood is one of the top co-educational boarding schools in South Africa and has a reputation for sporting excellence. As well as experiencing South African culture, we ensure our exchange pupils are there during the 'K-Day' celebration of sport which attracts up to 10,000 spectators. Being in the Southern Hemisphere means that Kingswood focuses on winter sports: rugby and hockey, allowing our most talented athletes to pursue their favoured sport during what would be the off-season back here in the UK. 

Open to Lower Sixth Form pupils to attend Brooks School, Massachusetts USA for one month in the Lent Term. This is our longest-running exchange programme and has been operating for over 25 years. Established in 1926 in the town of North Andover, Brooks School is a co-educational boarding school overlooking Lake Cochichewick with a typical 'East Coast' vibe. As well as attending a full timetable of lessons and activities, our pupils also enjoy visiting Boston as well as having the opportunity to travel further afield exploring New Hampshire and New York City. 

Open Lower 6th Form pupils to attend St. Andrews College, Christchurch, New Zealand during the summer holidays. This exchange often attracts pupils who really want to experience life on the other side of the world and are willing to give up some of their summer holidays to do so. St. Andrews is the largest independent school on the South Island of New Zealand. Exchanges are homestay based meaning pupils stay with the family of their exchange partner. In addition to this, we also act as one of the host schools for the St. Andrews College 'Robert Burns Scholar' programme welcoming a pupil from St. Andrews College for a few days each October as they tour schools across Scotland.

This annual trip is designed to support study of Shakespeare as part of the A Level English Literature curriculum, as well as offering a timely break away from Glenalmond. Participants attend two RSC productions and tours of all major Shakespearean properties, including a behind the scenes tour of the RSC theatres and a visit to Shakespeare's grave. The delights of Stratford-upon-Avon are also on offer, with the chance to go rowing on the Avon and indulge in some shopping of Shakespearean mementoes. The trip is a highlight of many pupils and offers a relaxed opportunity to develop their knowledge of this iconic figure and his literature. It runs for three days in the final few weeks of the academic year.

Each year a cultural, educational and  linguistic trip to Spain is organised for the 5th and 6th Form. The pupils spend a week immersed in the culture and language with lessons in school and at home with local families. So far these trips have taken us to the fabulous ancient city of Granada where the magnificent palace of the Alhambra stands as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage of the the country, to Valencia, where modern meets old, and to Seville where the beauty of the many Unesco world heritage sites is only rivalled by the weather.  

Contact: Mrs Ines Reynolds  

Each year, the school takes a group of 5th and 6th Formers who are intending to study either Higher or A Level French to a world-renowned language school, Alpha B, in Nice. There the pupils have lessons and cultural excursions, including trips to the Picasso Museum in Antibes, Monaco and a walk around beautiful old Nice. This trip is to boost pupils' confidence and fluency in preparation for the oral exam.

Contact: Mrs Sasha Baldwin

Geography is a popular A level subject at Glenalmond, and in recent years field trips have taken place on a regular basis to Europe and further afield; most recently to Morocco to study Arid Landscapes and the nearest LEDC country (Less Economically Developed Country).

Glenalmond College invites Sixth Form pupils to apply for travel awards of up to £500 each. There are two separate but similar awards available, namely; The Friends of Glenalmond Travel Award and The Duncan Garrett Travel Award

The awards are granted on merit and encourage service to others. Past award winners have travelled to Europe, North Africa, India and Latin America on expeditions, fact-finding trips and to undertake charitable work.

Pupils submit a written application giving an outline of the intended project and a financial breakdown.

This is followed by an interview with a committee. It is a condition of the awards that the project actually takes place within an agreed time frame, and recipients are required to give both a written and verbal report on their project to the Committee and/or the College on their return.

Contact: Mr Richard Myers 

An exchange takes place each year with a school in Queensland, Australia. Two of our girls go to St Hilda's School, and in turn we host two of their pupils.

Other exchanges and trips are organised from time to time to Spain, Germany and France, under the auspices of the Modern Foreign Languages department.