Kilgraston School

Infobox Secondary school
name = Kilgraston School
established = 1930
type = Boarding School
ages = 2 - 19
city = Perth and Kinross
country = Scotland
campus = Rural; 72 acres
head = Michael Farmer
students = 308
website = [http://www.kilgraston.com/ www.kilgraston.com]

Kilgraston School is a British independent or public school, founded in 1930. It is a Roman Catholic boarding and day school for girls aged 2½–19 and boys aged 2½–9. Currently more than 308 pupils attend Kilgraston, of which 91 live at Kilgraston for either weeknights or for entire half terms. Outside of the main mansion-house there are three residential houses: girls aged 8-13 live in Butterstone, those aged 13-16 stay in Mater and have their own study bedroom, and girls aged 16-19 live in Barat or Swinton for the Sixth Form and also have their own study bedroom.

History

Kilgraston's earliest records date back to the 1300s where it was called Gilgryston.

The school is centred upon a mansion house set in 72 acres of beautiful parkland, at Bridge of Earn, in Perthshire, 3 miles south of Perth and 40 minutes north of Edinburgh, in rural countryside.

John Grant, the eldest son of Patrick Grant of Glenlochy, in Strath Spey, Inverness-shire, and whose principal wealth was made in Jamaica, was for several years a member of the Assembly there, becoming an assistant Judge of Jamaica's Supreme Court, and eventually succeeded Thomas French as Chief Justice of that island in January 1783, which office he held until 1790. Also, in 1783, he was confirmed as an armiger by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. Grant purchased, towards the end of the 18th century, from the Murray and Craigie families, the contiguous estates of Kilgraston and Pitcaithly, situated in the east end of the beautiful and rich valley of Strath Earn, and extending over part of the Ochil Hills. He died issueless at Edinburgh on March 29, 1793, and is buried under a marble tablet in St Cuthbert's Churchyard. He was succeeded in his estates by his brother Francis (d. 1819, who built the mansion.

The mansion was used as a private home until World War I during which it was used as a hospital. In 1930 the house and grounds were purchased by the Society of the Sacred Heart and opened as a school with 40 boarders. The Society ran the school until 2000 when it became an independent Catholic school.

Present Day

Today Kilgraston is developing with the times and has a Development Committee to discuss, plan and monitor future and current projects. Currently a new sports pavilion, theatre with tiered seating for 150 people, a bistro-style dining room and riding stables are under construction. Kilgraston attracts pupils from all across Scotland, England, Mexico, Spain, (America) Germany and other places worldwide. The school is affectionately known as "Kilgy" by pupils.

Kilgraston is known as a prestigious school which consistently produces well-educated and morally sound girls. It is held in high regard for its acceptance of various cultures and skills with girls who have had difficulty attending schools in the past. Despite numbers having risen higher than ever before, the classes remain small and the teachers maintain a high level of individual attention. The Kilgraston one is a closely knit community, with stories of many mothers and grandmothers at the school from the present day pupils.

Religion

Kilgraston remains a part of the worldwide network of Sacred Heart schools all sharing certain basic principles such as encouraging the growth of the individual while developing feelings of community and social awareness at all levels. Kilgraston has a tradition of ecumenism and welcomes pupils from all backgrounds and families in sympathy with the Christian values fostered by the school.

ocials

Kilgraston is a school where socialising is actively encouraged. There are lots of socials with boys at the neighbouring public schools and, of course, there are socials with the all boys Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh where there are reciprocal arrangements for fees.
Network of Sacred Heart Schools

:"Kilgraston's international links give girls the opportunity for exchanges before and after school, open a wide range of personal contacts, and have the potential for building friendships and networks which will last a lifetime." [http://www.kilgraston.com/ Kilgraston Website]

References

* Burke, John, Esq., "A Genealogical History of The Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland enjoying Territorial Possessions or High Official Rank", London, 1835, volume II, p.613.
* Smith, John, & Balfour Paul, Sir James, editor, "Monumental Inscriptions in St. Cuthbert's Churchyard, Edinburgh", Scottish Record Society, Edinburgh, 1915, p.13.

External links

* [http://www.scottishschoolsonline.gov.uk/schools/kilgrastonschoolperthkinross.asp Kilgraston School's page on Scottish Schools Online]