Rector's Introduction

Pupils attend The Gordon Schools from communities in and around the town of Huntly in the north east of Scotland. Comprehensive education is provided to boys and girls aged 11 to 18 years. The roll stands at 874 pupils and there are seventy-five teachers. Education provision in The Gordon Schools combines 'the best of the past with the best of the new'. The schools has an educational tradition stretching back for over 160 years, having been founded in 1839 by the Duchess of Gordon. The Gordon Schools is held in high regard, locally and nationally. Facilities are excellent and the school has been described as being located in one of the most beautiful settings in Scotland.

Visitors to the school talk of a warm, welcoming, family atmosphere. Pupils follow a dress code, wearing school uniform each day. An assembly is held each morning for different year groups. There is an annual school show. There are house ceremonies and a prize giving. New technologies are well established. There is at least one computer in every classroom and there are five ICT resource centres. The entire school is networked and Internet access is available throughout. Staff have been at the forefront of new course design. Study planners play a key role in assisting pupils to be organised and focused. Our Charter for Achievement helps to maximise the potential of each pupil.

First and second year
In first and second year, pupils are grouped in mixed ability classes. Class sizes are around 28 for non-practical activities and 18 for practical subjects. Pupils follow a common course. They study fourteen subjects. Our aim is to bring the very best out in every pupil, no matter his or her level of ability. We ask for high standards and strongly value each pupil's successes.

Pupil support
In addition to the Guidance team there is the support of a team of voluntary Tutors who help to deliver programmes of Personal and Social Education. Individual pupils and groups are also assisted by Learning Support staff. There is a Support for Learners base, a base for pupils with social and emotional and behavioural difficulties and a special educational needs unit. Staff are also involved in pupil mentoring.

Third and fourth year
In third and fourth year pupils undertake a two-year course leading to Standard Grade examinations. Most pupils study eight Standard Grade subjects, following a balanced programme. There is an increasing number of Access and Intermediate courses offered in addition to Standard Grade. Pupils have the opportunity to choose from a large number of subjects - English, Mathematics, Modern Languages, the Sciences, Social Subjects, Technology and Creative and Aesthetic studies. Pupils can study two or even three Sciences or two Modern Languages. In addition, pupils undertake programmes of Personal and Social Education, P.E. and Religious and Philosophical Education.

Senior school - fifth and sixth year
On entry to the senior school, pupils in fifth and sixth year sign an agreement to work in partnership with the school. Staff have developed a comprehensive induction programme for seniors. Pupils in fifth year are expected to undertake a full subject timetable. In sixth year, a points system determines the level of study. Seniors prepare for Scottish Qualifications Authority examinations. We offer a full range of Higher Still courses - at Intermediate, Higher and Advanced Higher levels.

Responsibility and leadership
Seniors are expected to take on responsibility and demonstrate a sense of leadership as they mature through the years. Application for the post of Prefect is open to all pupils in fifth and sixth year. At the end of the selection process, seniors are elected to the posts of School Captain, Vice-Captain and House Captain. Pupils in all years have opportunities to influence decision-making through our Representative Council. Seniors organise a wide range of activities, including Christmas Dances, regular discos, inter-house sports and fund-raising events. They are involved in the Buddy Support System with the first year pupils and in Paired Reading. Seniors also participate in the Engineering Education Scheme and Young Enterprise.

Extra-curricular activities
Staff in The Gordon Schools work hard to build up a strong, positive school ethos. Emphasis is placed on the development of excellence in sporting, musical, dramatic and other cultural activities. Such involvement brings great rewards. Clubs, groups and societies are flourishing. Sports offered include athletics, badminton, basketball, cross-country running, football, hill walking, hockey, netball, rugby, swimming and volleyball, to name but a few! The Scottish Sports Council, in recognition of the fine work carried out by staff, has granted a Sports Mark Award to the department of Physical Education.

Aims of the school
We work hard to develop...

• good teaching and learning
• good relationships
• good discipline, attendance and punctuality
• good courses, with regular homework
• good examination results, based on an ethos of success
• good home, school and community links, based on a real sense of partnership
• good school management of staff, pupils, learning materials, buildings and resources.

... a school that our community can be proud of!

Commitment to excellence
We try very hard to develop each pupil's talents and abilities, within a friendly, open, trusting atmosphere. We provide a caring Guidance system, where pupils are known as individuals and supported through their school life and beyond. We aim to be a lively, dynamic school, where all pupils get a chance to join in. We provide opportunities for the views of pupils to be listened to and acted on. We have a range of anti-bullying initiatives. We aim to offer the very best kind of education for all pupils, in all subjects. Our school works very hard to provide a sense of life and purpose, based on a strong set of moral values. In short, we aim to be the very best kind of school possible... A quality school for pupils of quality!