10 best UK boarding schools for swimming
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For students passionate about swimming, finding a school that actively nurtures their talent is key. UK boarding schools are renowned for their holistic approach to
Academic Families works with more than 450 schools throughout the UK, and we have become experts at matching children to the right boarding school for them in order to ensure each student thrives.
We're delighted to present one of our partner schools:
Glenalmond College in Perthshire, Scotland.
“At Glenalmond College we provide an inspirational environment for young people to learn and grow into confident and independent people who will be able to meet the challenges of life head on, be successful in whatever they choose to do, and who are armed with the skills and qualities that will allow them to thrive in this increasingly competitive world.”
Glenalmond College offers GCSE exams and then gives pupils the choice between A Levels or Highers. There is a wide range of subjects available for students to choose from – at A Level, pupils can choose between more than 20 different subjects. In 2020, students sitting A Level exams at Glenalmond College achieved a 100% pass rate. 36% of these results were A* - A, with 67% of results between A* and B. Pupils from Glenalmond College go on to a variety of Higher Education institutions such as Bristol, Durham, Newcastle and St. Andrews, with some students attending Oxford and Cambridge.
Glenalmond College provides an impressive array of sporting opportunities to pupils. All students are encouraged to achieve their best, whatever their sporting level may be. The major sports played are rugby, hockey, lacrosse and cricket but there are many more sports available such as golf, equestrian, basketball, football, swimming, sailing and tennis.
Glenalmond also has a multitude of co-curricular activities within the arts. The drama department offers all pupils the chance to get involved with theatre productions – whether on stage, or behind the scenes in roles such as directing, set design, sound and lighting or hair and makeup. Music facilities at Glenalmond are excellent – they have a stunning recital hall, multiple teaching and practice rooms and a beautiful Chapel, with regular opportunities to perform and develop students’ confidence. The school also has their own Pipe Band which has performed internationally.
Approximately 14% of pupils at Glenalmond College are international students – with pupils coming from 19 different countries around the world. Before attending Glenalmond College, international students are required to have an Intermediate level of English. After they have joined the school, they are supported by a strong EAL (English as an Additional Language) department which aims to develop all aspects of English language understanding.
Glenalmond College has a large boarding community – more than 75% of pupils at the school are full-time boarders. There are 7 different boarding houses within the campus with 3 allocated for girls and 4 for boys. Each boarding house has a Housemaster or Housemistress who lives full-time in the boarding house and who aims to create a family environment for all pupils. Glenalmond College arranges a multitude of weekend activities and trips for pupils, so the school feels no less busy during the weekend than it does mid-week.
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