Compare International Schools in Glasgow, United kingdom

Lomond School

Instructs in English

Ages 3 - 18 years

Fees £7,725 - 19,900

Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)

Lomond School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school in Helensburgh, Scotland, for learners aged 3 to 18. The curriculum blends the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) and IB Career-related Programme (CP) with a bespoke, school-designed approach, supported by a broad Senior School offering 16 to 18 subjects in S1–S2 and two-year National 5 qualifications, with four pathways available in S5–S6 (IB DP or CP with an HNC in Business or Engineering). The Junior School uses a concept-based, inquiry-led framework that emphasises play, outdoor learning, and the development of identified learning identities such as Thinker and Collaborator. Facilities range from modern science laboratories, computing and language suites to art and music studios, with a dedicated sports centre, astroturf pitches, and extensive playing fields. Distinctive features include Duke of Edinburgh's Award participation, an emphasis on Outdoor Education and a programme of cultural and international trips that broaden horizons for all.

Location

Lomond School, 10 Stafford Street, Helensburgh G84 9JX, Scotland, United Kingdom

Stages

Nursery to Senior 6 (ages 3 to 18)

Type

co-educational, independent day and boarding school

Additional learning support

English as an Additional Language (EAL) support; EAL assessment before joining; those needing extra support typically receive two to three lessons per week with an EAL-trained teacher

Country affiliation

Scotland, United Kingdom

School day structure

Pupil day typically starts at 8:30am; core school day runs to around 3:40pm (3:00pm on Fridays for Seniors); boarding life continues with evening routines and prep sessions

Bus service

Daily bus services from Killearn, Dumbarton and the Rosneath peninsula; weekly return service to Oban for boarders departing on Friday afternoons

Application and registration fees

- Registration fee: £120 (one-off, non-refundable).
- Acceptance deposit (inclusive of VAT): Advanced registration for J1: £3,000 (refundable against J1 tuition). Day pupils: £240. Boarding pupils: £600. Deposits are credited to the pupil's final account when the pupil leaves; the balance is refunded after any outstanding charges are deducted.

Tuition fees by year group (Session 2026/27) — annual and per-term amounts (all figures shown are total tuition including VAT unless otherwise stated)

- Nursery: Annual total £7,725; Termly payment £2,575. Capital levy: N/A. 12-month direct debit: £644; 10-month direct debit: £772.
- Junior 1–2 (J1–J2): Annual total £13,975; Termly payment £4,658. Tuition (ex. VAT) £11,436; Capital levy £210. 12-month direct debit: £1,165; 10-month direct debit: £1,398.
- Junior 3–5 (J3–J5): Annual total £16,690; Termly payment £5,563. Tuition (ex. VAT) £13,698; Capital levy £210. 12-month direct debit: £1,391; 10-month direct debit: £1,669.
- Transitus 1 (P6): Annual total £18,175; Termly payment £6,058. Tuition (ex. VAT) £14,936; Capital levy £210. 12-month direct debit: £1,515; 10-month direct debit: £1,818.
- Transitus 2 (P7): Annual total £19,290; Termly payment £6,430. Tuition (ex. VAT) £15,865; Capital levy £210. 12-month direct debit: £1,608; 10-month direct debit: £1,929.
- Senior School: Annual total £19,900; Termly payment £6,633. Tuition (ex. VAT) £16,373; Capital levy £210. 12-month direct debit: £1,658; 10-month direct debit: £1,990.

Boarding fees (Session 2026/27)

- Full Boarding (annual total incl. VAT): £48,085; Termly payment £16,028. Tuition/boarding element (ex. VAT): £39,861. Capital levy £210. 12-month direct debit: £4,007; 10-month direct debit: £4,809.
- Weekly Boarding (annual total incl. VAT): £34,250; Termly payment £11,417. Tuition/boarding element (ex. VAT): £28,332. Capital levy £210. 12-month direct debit: £2,854; 10-month direct debit: £3,425.
- Generally, discounts are not applied to boarding fees or extras.

Other charges and extracurricular costs

- Fees are inclusive of textbooks, stationery and materials but exclude external examination fees.
- English as an Additional Language (EAL/ESL): Individual tuition £60 per lesson; Group tuition £40 per lesson.
- Out-of-hours boarding services (Burnbrae) — sample charges:
- Breakfast (from 7:45am): £5.50.
- Study & Supper (supported study with dinner, 9pm pickup): £18.00.
- Overnight stay (inclusive of VAT): £85.00.
- Sibling remission: When three or more children from the same family attend, the two eldest are charged full fees and younger siblings may be eligible for a discount of up to 50% of the tuition fee; total discounts for an individual pupil will not exceed 50%. Generally no discounts are applied to boarding fees or extras.

Billing schedule, payment terms and payment methods

- Invoicing: School fees are charged at the beginning of the year. Payment may be made in one of the following ways:
- Payment in full on or before the first day of the school year (by cheque, internet banking or bank transfer).
- Payment in full termly on or before the first day of each term (by cheque or bank transfer).
- Direct Debit instalments (UK bank accounts only, subject to approval): two options — 12 monthly instalments or 10 monthly instalments. For the 2026/27 session the 12-month schedule runs from 30 June 2026 to 31 May 2027 and the 10-month schedule runs from 13 August 2026 to 13 May 2027. Direct Debit mandates must be completed for instalment plans.
- Overseas payments: Payment may be made by direct BACS transfer of the sterling amount payable to the School's bank account. Payers must meet any bank charges on transfers; parents should consult their bank for the most cost-effective transfer method. The School provides full bank details (including IBAN and BIC) for sterling transfers.

Notice and refunds

- Notice of withdrawal: A full term's written notice to the Principal is required prior to withdrawal. If a full term's written notice is not given, a full term's fee will be charged in lieu of notice.
- Deposit refunds: The acceptance deposit(s) are credited against the pupil's final account when the pupil leaves; any remaining balance will be refunded after deduction of outstanding charges. Advanced registration deposits specified for J1 entry are refundable against J1 tuition as noted above.

Fee payment options (formats accepted)

- Bank transfer (internet banking/BACS) — sterling transfers accepted for overseas payers.
- Direct Debit (UK bank accounts — 12- or 10-month options).
- Cheque (UK).
- The payer is responsible for any third-party bank charges on transfers.

The Board of Governors reserves the right to amend the fee schedule from time to time.

Boarding Arrangements

Burnbrae House is Lomond School's boarding provision, accommodating around sixty boarders. The house is co-educational with boys' and girls' bedrooms on separate, secure floors and most boarders housed in twin en-suite rooms. Boarding options are full boarding (boarders reside at Burnbrae throughout term time), weekly boarding (Sunday evening to Friday afternoon), and flexi-boarding (ad hoc nights when spaces are available). Boarders are supported by a house team with regular study time and staff on duty; weekends include a calendar of trips and activities.

Food Options

The dining life is centered in Burnbrae with meals provided by an award-winning catering team and served in the dining room. Boarders may prepare their own snacks in the evenings and at weekends. Breakfast and cooked brunch are provided daily, with a varied menu and vegetarian options; sample menus illustrate main courses, sides, desserts and alternate choices.

House System

Burnbrae House is located a short walk from the main school campus in Helensburgh. Boarders sleep in twin en-suite rooms on separate floors for boys and girls, and are overseen by houseparents and resident tutors who manage day-to-day life, meals, sign-out procedures and trips. The house provides junior and senior common rooms and hosts a range of activities and enrichment opportunities on weekends.

Governance and Ownership

Lomond School is an independent, co-educational day and boarding school governed by a Board of Governors, which works with the Principal and Senior Leadership team. The school is operated by Lomond School Ltd, a registered charity (SC007957) with constitutional status as a company.

Curriculum

Lomond School provides a holistic curriculum from nursery to Senior 6. In Junior School the curriculum is open, flexible and evolves with the interests and needs of the children, using a concept-based approach designed to spark curiosity and deepen understanding. It emphasises learning through play, outdoor learning, and the development of lifelong learning skills, with a framework of learning identities such as I am a Thinker, I am a Self-Manager, I am a Collaborator, I am a Communicator, I am a Researcher and I am a Contributor. The Junior School also uses integrated subjects and a Concept-Based Curriculum to spark curiosity, with elements such as Singapore Maths and outdoor learning playing a role. In Senior School there is a broad curriculum with a wide range of subject choices; S1 has 16 subjects and S2 has 18, with National 5 qualifications taken over two years. From August 2024, S5 and S6 pupils may choose four pathways: the IB Diploma Programme and the IB Career-related Programme with specialisation through an HNC in Business or through an HNC in Engineering.

Student Teacher Ratio

Smalls class sizes are a feature across Lomond School, enabling personalised attention and close staff–pupil engagement throughout the Junior and Senior schools.

Exam Results

Lomond School publishes IB and SQA exam results. In 2025, IB and SQA results surpassed the national average. In 2026, results significantly exceeded the worldwide pass rate of 79%, with 90% of leavers securing their first-choice pathway. Destinations included universities such as Glasgow, Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt, Stirling and Robert Gordon, with some graduates pursuing opportunities overseas.

Higher Education Progression

Graduates progress to higher education at institutions including the University of Glasgow, the University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, the University of Stirling and Robert Gordon University, with some pursuing opportunities overseas in Germany and the United States. The school emphasises progression to higher education and career pathways as a key outcome for its leavers.

Gifted and Talented

The school offers scholarships for Academic Excellence,Music, The Creative Arts, Sport, and The David Arthur All-Rounder Scholarship to recognise excellence and potential across areas beyond standard academics.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The school places health and wellbeing at the heart of the student experience, supported by a dedicated pastoral team. It is committed to the mental and physical health of pupils and recognises the challenges young people face in a changing world. Outdoor learning and regular exercise are encouraged to build resilience and a positive mindset. The curriculum and school life emphasise social and emotional development through inquiry‑based learning and a broad range of activities beyond the classroom. Staff work closely with pupils to help them thrive academically, emotionally and socially, enabling them to progress with purpose and confidence. From early secondary years, learners receive guidance and mentorship to support progression and independent learning.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The school provides specialist English as an Additional Language (EAL) support and individualised timetabling to help learners access the curriculum. The Senior School confirms specialist EAL support is available for students with English as an Additional Language. For new international pupils, an online English language assessment is conducted before joining. The results, together with an interview and school reports, guide the level of support the EAL department provides. Those requiring additional EAL support typically receive two to three lessons per week, delivered by teachers trained in teaching English as an additional language (1:1 or small groups).

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

The school evaluates English language needs of incoming international pupils through online assessment and interview. The EAL department offers tailored support to help pupils access the curriculum. New international pupils typically receive two to three lessons per week, 1:1 or in small groups, with teachers trained in English as an Additional Language. EAL support extends beyond classroom teaching to help pupils integrate in class and in boarding life. The school aims to help learners build confidence and communication skills through sustained language development.

Mental Wellbeing

Health and wellbeing are prioritised; Lomond has a dedicated team to support pupils from a pastoral perspective. The school is committed to all aspects of mental and physical health and recognises the challenges faced by young people today. Regular exercise, access to fresh air, and reflection and relaxation are encouraged to help pupils maintain a healthy work‑life balance. Outdoor learning and a broad curriculum support resilience, self‑belief and ambition. The aim is for pupils to be happy, content and to develop a balanced approach to life and study.

Safeguarding

Lomond School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff, contractors and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff receive safeguarding training at the start of the year and the school's child protection policy is published in the tutor's handbook, staff handbook and parents' handbook. The safeguarding coordinator is the Depute Head and Head of Boarding, Mr Minnis, and safeguarding issues will be investigated and recorded. The school follows National Guidance for Child Protection Scotland (2021) and the National Practice Model: Getting it Right for Every Child. Enhanced PVG checks are required for new staff as part of safer recruitment and safeguarding practices.

Admissions

1. Plan a visit and enquiry. Prospective families are welcome to visit Lomond School at a time that suits them. Tours are tailored to the child's entry point. To arrange a visit, complete the enquiry form and a member of the Admissions team will be in touch. A taster session may be arranged after the visit. 2. Submit an application. When proceeding with an application, complete and submit the Application Form provided by the Registrar, along with a non-refundable £100 registration fee. The school accepts applications for day and boarding places throughout the year. 3. Attend assessments. All assessments ensure that pupils can access the academic curriculum and are correctly placed in the right year. Assessments for Junior 1 to Transitus 2 are informal in class, usually during a taster day; from S1 entry upwards, applicants spend a day in School to complete assessments; arrangements can be made for online assessments if needed. 4. Receive offers and accept. Offers are usually made within two weeks following the assessment/taster day. To confirm acceptance, sign and return the Parental Contract along with a deposit of £200 for day places or £500 for boarding. Offers are subject to receipt of a satisfactory pupil testimonial from the existing school and completion of all admissions documentation before the agreed start date.

Scholarships

Scholarships are offered in Academic Excellence, Music, The Creative Arts, Sport, and The David Arthur All-Rounder Scholarship. Scholarships are means-tested and ordinarily awarded for the duration of full-time education, with a reduction of up to 50% of tuition or school fees depending on circumstances. A bursary is separate from scholarships and can also be available; bursaries may cover a larger portion of fees and are not contingent on scholarship criteria. Following submission of applications, Scholarship applicants and their parents/guardians are invited to tour Lomond and meet with the Principal and relevant teaching staff before interviews, testing and auditions, as appropriate. To apply or for more information, contact the Admissions Manager for the application pack.

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Compare International Schools in Glasgow, United kingdom

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