Strathallan School is an independent boarding and day school located in Forgandenny, a rural setting a few miles south of Perth. Founded in 1913 by Harry Riley, the school was established on the principle of offering broad opportunities for pupils to excel in both academic and co-curricular life. Its move to the current 150 acre campus in 1920 allowed Strathallan to grow into one of Scotland’s best known co-educational independent schools, combining historic character with extensive modern facilities.
The campus is set in open Perthshire countryside and includes a wide range of boarding houses, academic buildings, dedicated arts spaces and extensive sports grounds. Over time the estate has expanded to support a growing pupil roll that now accommodates boys and girls from age five to eighteen. The school maintains a strong boarding culture alongside a significant day pupil population, creating a community that blends structure, continuity and a close sense of belonging across age groups.
Strathallan follows a curriculum that aligns with the English system while retaining elements of the Scottish framework. Pupils typically study GCSEs or Standard Grades before progressing into the sixth form, where they choose between A levels or Scottish Highers. The school emphasises academic ambition and personalised support, reflected in consistently strong examination outcomes. Sixth form pupils have access to a broad selection of subjects, encouraging both traditional academic pathways and specialist interests.
Life at Strathallan includes an active programme of co-curricular opportunities. The school offers a wide range of sports, from rugby and cricket to hockey, netball, tennis, squash and athletics, supported by large playing fields and specialist coaching. Music has a strong presence on campus, with orchestras, choirs, ensembles and a pipe band that contribute to performances throughout the year. Drama is well developed, with regular school productions and opportunities for pupils to work toward LAMDA awards. A scholarship system supports talented pupils across academic, creative and sporting disciplines. Outdoor education is also a key feature, including the Combined Cadet Force and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Strathallan is distinctive as the only school in Scotland with a Royal Marine cadet troop.
Former pupils of Strathallan, known as Strathallians, have gone on to achieve success in sport, public life, the arts, business and academia. Their achievements reflect the school’s focus on aspiration, independence and personal development, values that have shaped the school’s culture for more than a century.
Today Strathallan School presents itself as a forward looking community rooted in its historic origins. Its rural Perthshire setting, combined with extensive facilities and a commitment to all round development, provides an environment designed to help pupils thrive academically, socially and personally as they progress through their school years.