A PLANNED £3 million investment in boarding at Glenalmond College, near Perth, will help it meet government recommendations made in the latest inspection report, released this week.

The report, which covers key aspects of the college’s residential provision, including the environment, care and protection, support for pupils and management, reflected well on the school overall.

The inspectors said the school offers its boarders a very high standard of support and care.

The report draws attention to the school’s high morale and standard of behaviour, the respect pupils afford each other and the support and encouragement older pupils give to younger counterparts.

The house staff and tutors are praised for their commitment and for being approachable and responsive to the needs of their pupils.

Communication from house staff to parents is described as very good, as are relations between pupils and between the staff and pupils.

The report highlights the college’s very clear rules on pupil conduct and the high expectations staff have of pupils’ achievement.

In particular, the report praises the progressive whole school programme of personal, social, health and citizenship education that is provided for the pupils.

Warden Gordon Woods, who joined the school 18 months ago, also comes in for praise, as does the school’s grounds and sporting facilities.

Accommodation is said to be good, with the boarding houses providing a very good environment for pupils to learn and study.

However, the inspectors make a number of recommendations, including the provision of suitable computing facilities throughout the houses and the introduction of rigorous procedures to evaluate and monitor provision.

Mr Woods explained the college is acting upon these recommendations.

He said, “We welcome the report—it gives a balanced reflection of the health of the college and of the warm, caring atmosphere here.

“No school is perfect, however, and the report has helped us to identify priorities for improvement in addition to those we are already working on, such as our planned £3 million investment in boarding accommodation, which will enable us to deliver an even higher standard.”