Amayzine

Annoying celeb kids send you to this boarding school

Gordonstoun fragments from The Crown

I'm a bit fascinated by it; Gordonstoun. That's the boarding school where Prince Philip became a man and where his son Charles was found crying in a corner. Prince Edward also went there, along with his children Peter and Zara. But also David Bowie and Sean Connery sent their sons Duncan Jones and Jason Connery to this Scottish boarding school. All in the category of order, discipline, and hardships.

Fascinated by boarding schools in general (some children go there from the age of five) and this incredible upper-class drill school, which is one of the last full boarding schools in England, I delved into the phenomenon of Gordounston.

Here's how you get there
Is a boarding school meant for everyone or can an ordinary person without six zeros also attend? It can. You are admitted after a successful first interview, good references (maybe you only get those if you're rich and of noble descent), and passing the exam.

How many people are at Gordonstoun?
There is room for 500 boarding students (full boarders) and 100 non-boarding students. For these 600 individuals, there are 100 teachers available. One teacher for every six students.

From what age do you go to Gordonstoun?
There is a junior school where children as young as eight already attend, and it goes up to the end of secondary school.

Funny facts 

1. Lara Croft is a fictional Gordonstoun alumnus.
2. Episode nine of the second season of The Crown is about Gordonstoun.

Horror stories
Every day at Gordonstoun starts with a vigorous running session that ends with a cold shower, rain or shine. Also, (at least during the time Charles was there) they slept with the windows open, even when it was freezing outside. Charles was said to have been bullied a lot and once locked naked in a sort of cage to then be put under a cold shower with the cage still on.

What does Gordonstoun cost?
Around thirty thousand pounds per year.

Famous alumni

  • Three generations of the British royal family (Philip, Charles, Edward, and Edward's children)
  • Duncan Jones (son of David Bowie)
  • Jason Connery (son of Sean Connery)
  • Oona Chaplin (actress and granddaughter of Charlie Chaplin)
  • Balthazar Getty (actor and heir of the immensely wealthy Getty family)
  • Heather Stanning (British rower and Olympic champion)

Finally, the motto of Gordonstoun:
We are not here to prepare you for your exams, we are here to prepare you for your life.