Kilgraston – new Language and Activities Centre
31 Aug 2018
OVER one hundred students from seven countries have enrolled at Kilgraston School’s new Language and Activities Centre this summer.
The Bridge of Earn-based Centre is gearing up to welcome students from Russia, Spain, Italy, Slovakia, Turkey, Brazil and Germany, creating a mini United Nations in the Perthshire hills in July and August.
The award-winning school is also finalising arrangements for a number of international students to visit during the Easter holidays.
The Centre aims to provide guests with an outstanding holiday experience while learning English at the same time.
The Centre’s Manager is Dundonian David Stott, a former Scottish High Performance Hockey Coach. He is just back from a marketing trip to Moscow where he enthused Russian agents about the many benefits of Kilgraston’s new summer school.
“We offer a really refreshing experience at Kilgraston, giving our guests the opportunity to learn, grow and have an incredible time in a safe and secure environment,” he said.
“The facilities and surrounding landscape are truly exceptional and the opportunities to explore this fantastic region are very much part of our programme. Also, by limiting the number speaking the same language, students are able to integrate fully in an English-speaking environment – especially in the classroom, during coaching lessons and in the evening activities.”
He went on: “As well as Moscow, I have been to Spain, Italy and Turkey to fly the flag for Kilgraston. My proposals have been extremely well received wherever I go; Scotland’s reputation for high-quality education is widely recognised and that, in addition to Kilgraston being UK Independent School of the Year in 2011, meant that my meetings with agents were very positive.”
And he added: “I believe the secret of our success is stressing that small is beautiful at Kilgraston. Other Centres aim to cater for large numbers of students which can mean tuition is relatively anonymous. But here at Kilgraston, small groups mean individual attention and lots of one-to-one teaching which is clearly beneficial.”
The summer programme meets the needs of all students wanting to learn English – from absolute beginners to those with more developed language skills. Students learn by studying various subjects and topics such as science, technology and drama. And after a morning in the classroom, the Centre offers a wide range of sports including hockey, horse-riding, swimming, football, tennis and golf.
Hockey tuition is in the capable hands of David’s wife, double Olympian Pauline Stott, who won 203 caps representing her country at hockey and captained Great Britain at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney while football will be run by Alistair Stevenson who heads up St Johnstone’s youth development programme.
David said: “We set the bar extremely high. Our entire professional teaching and coaching staff are not only highly specialised in their chosen fields but also qualified to an international standard. Our team is continually enhancing our programmes to ensure that all students, whatever their age and ability, will have a wonderful stay here at Kilgraston.”
Principal Frank Thompson said: “We are very pleased with the interest in Kilgraston from around the world. As well as sharing our school’s facilities with a wider audience, we hope that Mr Stott’s excellent work will encourage more parents to look at a Kilgraston School education for their daughter.
“For some of the girls who take part, spending a number of weeks enjoying all the activities on offer and improving their English will be just the preparation they need to start the Autumn term with us in the main school.”