St Leonards School

St Leonards School is an independent boarding and day school for pupils aged 4–19 in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland.[1] Founded in 1877 as the St Andrews School for Girls Company, the school adopted the St Leonards name upon moving to its current premises, the site formerly occupied by the University of St Andrews’ St Leonard's College, in 1883.[2] St Leonards remained an all-girls school until 1999, upon which it became fully co-educational.[3] As an IB World School,[4] St Leonards offers the International Baccalaureate’s Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma programmes alongside the English-system GCSE/IGCSE and BTEC certificates.[5] It is the only school in Scotland to teach an IB curriculum throughout.[6]

St Leonards School
St Leonards School
Location
St Andrews
,
Fife
,
KY16 9QJ

Scotland
Coordinates56.3390°N 2.7904°W / 56.3390; -2.7904
Information
Former nameSt Leonards and St Katharines School
Type
MottoLatin: Ad Vitam
(For Life)
Established1877 (1877)
FoundersProfessors from the University of St Andrews
ChairProf Verity Brown
HeadmasterDr Michael Carslaw
GenderCo-educational
Age range4–19
Enrolment537 (2019)
Houses
  •   Bishopshall
  •   Ollerenshaw
  •   St Rule
Colour(s)Red and Navy
   
PublicationThe Gazette
School fees
  • £9,552–£15,474 (Day) (pa)
  • £24,651–£37,452 (Boarding) (pa)
AlumniSeniors
Websitewww.stleonards-fife.org

History

The school was established in 1877 by the St Andrews School for Girls Company. Madeline Daniell, the educationalist and campaigner for women's right to higher education, was one of two founding secretaries of the Company.[7]

Dame Louisa Lumsden was appointed the School's first Headmistress in 1877. The belief of the School was that "a girl should receive an education that is as good as her brother's, if not better."[8] In 1999 St Leonards Sixth Form and St Katharines Prep School opened their doors to boys for the first time; the school soon became completely co-educational.

St Katharines and St Leonards-New Park

St Katharines School was the original prep school of St Leonards, making full use of the campus and facilities while retaining a degree of autonomy. In March 2002 it was announced that the prep school would be relocated to the main building and renamed St Leonards Junior and Middle Schools. Following a further announcement in March 2005,[9] St Leonards junior and middle schools merged with New Park School, also located in St Andrews, operating as one unit under the name St Leonards-New Park. In June 2011 it was announced that the junior school would be known in future as St Leonards Junior School. At the same time, work commenced on a £2.5m redevelopment of the junior school.

Lacrosse

The school is believed to be the first place in the world to have played women's lacrosse after it was introduced by Louisa Lumsden[10][11] in 1890.[12]

Academics

At St Leonards, year groups are named following the system used in England and Wales (Year 1 to Year 13). Years 1–7 form the Junior School, Years 8–11 the Senior School and Years 12–13 the Sixth Form.

The IB’s Primary Years Programme (PYP) is taught from Years 1–6, while the IB’s Middle Years Programme (MYP) is introduced in Year 7 and continues through Year 9.[13][14] Therefore, the MYP overlaps across the Junior and Senior Schools.

In Year 10, pupils begin a two-year course in preparation for their GCSE/IGCSE exams at the end of Year 11.[15] Students are now given a degree of choice as to which subjects they take, however a number remain compulsory: English, Maths, Science and a foreign language.[15]

As an alternative to the above for pupils who join the school in Year 11, St Leonards offers a one-year Pre-IB course.[16] These students sit IGCSE exams only.[15]

In Years 12–13, St Leonards pupils may undertake one of two programmes: the IB Diploma Programme (DP) or the Pearson BTEC Nationals in either Business or Sport.[17] A large majority choose the DP, with the latter being available for those who would prefer a more vocational qualification.[18] Academic study is still very present for BTEC students alongside the practical aspect, as at St Leonards both BTEC courses are studied with two or three DP courses.[18]

The average IB Diploma points score for St Leonards pupils from 2015 to 2019 is 33/45,[19] compared to a global average of 29/45 points for the same period.[20] St Leonards has been recognised as the "Top Independent Secondary School Sixth Form in Scotland for IB/A Level Results" in 2016, 2017 and 2018.[21]

Almost all St Leonards graduates go onto university, and all who apply gain a place.[22] The school claims that approximately one third of the graduating class studies in Scotland, one third studies elsewhere in the United Kingdom and the remaining third studies overseas.[23] From 2010 to 2019, the most popular university for St Leonards Leavers has been the University of Aberdeen.[24] In this time, eight graduates have attended Cambridge or Oxford and two have attended an Ivy League university.[24]

Headmistresses and headmasters

For the first 124 years, (when the school was an all-girls school) the Head of St Leonards was always a woman. The first Headmaster was appointed in 2003.

  • 1877–1882: Dame Louisa Lumsden
  • 1882–1896: Dame Frances Dove
  • 1896–1907: Julia Mary Grant
  • 1907–1921: Mary Bentinck-Smith
  • 1922–1938: Katharine Howard McCutcheon
  • 1938–1955: Janet A. Macfarlane
  • 1956–1970: Janet S. A. Macaulay
  • 1970–1987: Martha Hamilton (Mrs R Steedman)
  • 1988–2000: Mary James [25]
  • 2001–2003: Wendy Bellars [26]
  • 2003–2008: Robert A. J. Tims
  • 2008–present: Dr Michael Carslaw [27]

Fees

School fees at St Leonards for the 2019–20 academic year ranged from £9,552 to £15,474 for day pupils and £24,651 to £37,452 for boarders.[1] These fees include tuition, lodging for boarders, meals (lunch for day pupils, full-board for boarders) as well some textbooks and extra-curricular activities. However, there are additional extras not included and charged at a supplementary rate.[28]

The school does offer financial assistance to a limited number of Senior School and Sixth Form pupils who demonstrate sufficient financial need – covering up to 100% of fees.[29] While St Leonards does award scholarships to pupils who've demonstrated excellence in a variety of fields, the scholarship does not result in a reduction of fees.[29]

St Leonards Seniors

Former St Leonards pupils are known as St Leonards Seniors,[30] as is the style at the sister institutions of Wycombe Abbey and Benenden School.[31][32] St Leonards organises various reunions and events for Seniors in St Andrews and select cities around the world, while also providing online networking tools.[30]

Notable St Leonards Seniors

See also

References
  1. "St Leonards School, St Andrews". The Good Schools Guide. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  2. "History". St Leonards. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  3. "St Leonards School Prospectus 2019–20" (PDF). St Leonards. p. 65. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  4. "St Leonards School". International Baccalaureate. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  5. "Curriculum". St Leonards. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  6. Gordon, Katy (4 September 2016). "A lesson over Lunch". The Courier. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  7. Begg, Tom (2004). Daniell [née Carter], Madeline Margaret (1832–1906), educationist. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/56167.
  8. Tatler Schools Guide 2006 Archived 11 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  9. St Andrews schools to merge Archived 12 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine, The Courier, March 2005
  10. Lumsden, Louisa Innes (1933). Yellow Leaves: Memories of a Long Life. Edinburgh and London: William Blackwood & Sons. pp. 1, 16–25, 26, 42, 62, 81, 170.
  11. History of Lacrosse at St LeonardsArchived 6 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine, official website
  12. "Stewart, Josephine Katherine (1870–1934), schoolmistress and golfer". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/57977. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  13. "St Leonards School Prospectus 2019–20" (PDF). St Leonards. p. 19. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  14. "Curriculum". St Leonards Junior School. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  15. "GCSE and IGCSE". St Leonards Senior School. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  16. "St Leonards School Prospectus 2019–20" (PDF). St Leonards. p. 35. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  17. "St Leonards School Prospectus 2019–20" (PDF). St Leonards. p. 69. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  18. "St Leonards School Prospectus 2019–20" (PDF). St Leonards. p. 83. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  19. "St Leonards School Prospectus 2019–20" (PDF). St Leonards. p. 104. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  20. "The IB Diploma Programme Provisional Statistical Bulletin, November 2019 Examination Session" (PDF). International Baccalaureate. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  21. Smith, Craig. "St Leonards in St Andrews named Scotland's top independent school". The Courier. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  22. "Careers/University". St Leonards Senior School. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  23. "St Leonards School Prospectus 2019–20" (PDF). St Leonards. p. 79. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  24. "St Leonards Leavers Destinations 2010–2019" (PDF). St Leonards. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  25. Crawford, Stuart. "Stuart Crawford Associates Publications, St Leonards". Retrieved 4 August 2007.
  26. "St Leonards Principal Resigns". Fife Today. 26 May 2003. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
  27. School ready to welcome Carslaw family Archived 28 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  28. "Fees". St Leonards. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  29. "Academic Bursaries". St Leonards. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  30. "Former Pupils - About". St Leonards. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  31. "Seniors". Wycombe Abbey. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  32. "Seniors' Portal". Benenden School. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  33. Review: The Suffragette's Daughter: Betty Archdale, API Network
  34. Cunneff, Tom (14 December 1987). "On TV's Friday the 13th, It's Robey Who Makes Little Boys Really Howl". People. Time Inc. 28 (24). ISSN 0093-7673.
  35. "Stewart, Josephine Katherine (1870–1934), schoolmistress and golfer". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/57977. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  36. Drusilla Beyfus, 'Withers [married names Stewart, Kennett], (Elizabeth) Audrey (1905–2001), magazine editor' in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press, 2005)
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