Ardvreck School

The Most Brilliant Education

Tucked away from the stresses and strains of modern life, in breathtaking Perthshire countryside, Ardvreck Preparatory School – an independent boarding and day school for boys and girls aged 3–13, nurtures and educates your children in a caring, and loving, family environment.

Visitors gasp at the awe-inspiring views of doorstep Munros as they make their way up the school’s sweeping drive. Their attention is soon diverted to the even more thrilling spectacle of laughing, be-kilted and wellied children hanging out of trees, hiding in Dens or building dams in the burn which flows down the Headmistress’ lawn.

You have probably gathered that we firmly believe classrooms do not need walls. As well as outdoor lessons, the entire school regularly adventures into the exciting, natural playground on our doorstep to undertake Barvicks (expeditions) and a regular Ard Challenge.

This is most definitely the school every grown-up wishes they had attended as a child. It’s where kindness, courtesy and good manners are at the forefront of every human interaction. It’s an environment where working hard and playing hard are of equal importance and where good humour and fun permeate every undertaking.

The wild, Scottish wilderness is the greatest of all educators – and that’s certainly saying something given that our actual team of terrific teachers is second to none. They are movers and shakers, optimists, can doers, smilers and who all care, beyond belief, about the education and wellbeing of every single child in our school.

And what of our leavers? Our hearts very nearly burst with pride at each speech day when we celebrate the achievements of the girls and boys whose lives we have helped to shape. They are happy, well-rounded and fulfilled children who are full of hope and ambition for their futures. What is most remarkable, though, is that each and every one of them is completely at ease in his, or her, own skin. Through the challenges and situations to which they have been exposed, be it scrambling up a cliff, swimming in a loch, helping in the community or chatting to royalty, every child is equipped with the skills and the confidence to feel unperturbed by any situation. It will come as no surprise then, that Head Teachers from public schools all over the UK are very keen to enlist Ardvreck pupils. This year, our leavers have won a total of 26 scholarships and are heading to 10 different public schools, including to Eton and to Sherborne Girls School.

At the end of it all, any school can provide excellent academic rigour, a strong pastoral ethos and a broad co-curricular programme, all of which we do outstandingly well. However, we truly believe that the real value of a rural, prep school education lies in the things that are remembered long after what was taught has been forgotten. The things that contribute to defining not what we know, but who we are. This is why Ardvreck School provides the most brilliant education.

Further information

Ardvreck has three distinctive boarding houses with an outstanding provision of pastoral care. The ‘full boarding’ ethos helps children to settle easily and quickly and fully prepares each child for the transition to senior school. We encourage all children to embrace and enjoy the benefits boarding can offer. We aim to create a family environment which encourages responsibility, tolerance and understanding of others and a growing sense of independence. The boarding experience promotes initiative and helps to develop leadership skills.

Ardvreck pupils are active, fit and energetic. All meals are taken in the dining room, which is situated in the main building. Supervised sittings ensure that all the children are able to enjoy the home cooked, wholesome food, cooked by the school’s in-house catering team.

Parents are encouraged to telephone and email as well as visit the school to watch matches, musical recitals and form workshops. Ardvreck boasts exceptional communications between the school and home and is unique in having its own parental website which is updated daily with news and photographs.

Exeats are either side of half term with three in the longer Autumn Term. Daily surgeries and a visiting doctor ensure that all medical aspects of your child’s life are well catered for in a sympathetic environment.

Prior to your child starting boarding, we can ask current boarding families to speak to you to help to reassure you. We will ensure that you are fully aware of the boarding routine for your child so you in turn can reassure them.

Admissions & Fees

Pupils can join Ardvreck at any time between the ages of 3-13. Parents are invited to come and meet the Headmaster. At this stage the family will also be given a tour of the school by two senior pupils.

The next stage of the admission process is for the child to come to the school for a ‘taster’ experience. This ‘taster’ is spread over two days with a night in-between and gives the child a feel for academic lessons, games, extra-curricular activities and the boarding experience. Day pupils can experience either a day taster or a boarding taster. Experience has taught us that these ‘taster’ sessions are invaluable for both the potential pupil and the school and both parties get a good chance to look at each other! Each child is gently assessed during the day both in and out of the classroom so that feedback can be given to the parents.

Once the child has been registered for a place at Ardvreck we will keep you informed of news, updates and changes at the school prior to the child starting. Early registration is recommended to ensure that a place is kept. Prior to the child starting at Ardvreck, they are invited to attend a ‘Welcome Weekend’ in early June. Most pupils start at Ardvreck in the Autumn but pupils can start at any point during the academic year.

Ardvreck holds an informal Open Morning during the early part of the Spring Term as well as an informal Spring Weekend for children of all ages.