Dunottar School

Since 2017, Mark Tottman. Read history at Oxford and has an MBA from Edinburgh Business School. Embarked on a high-flying corporate career including eight years as an international management consultant specialising in strategy and change management,

Usually four form entry with 80 places in year 7; rose to 100 in 2021 after a spike in post-pandemic interest. Now attracts pupils from 45+ different schools, with three applications per place. Around half come from state, ditto from independents -

Over half leave after GCSEs, when the majority head to the excellent (and free) local sixth form college which has a more comprehensive breadth of courses for the more independent minded student. However, school says sixth form numbers are on the up

In 2024, 53 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 30 per cent A*/A at A level (54 per cent A*-B).

The school’s unique ‘warrior learning’ model is not just a slick marketing line, it seems, with teachers, parents, and pupils alike giving practical examples of how it underpins a Dunottar education. From beatboxing Shakespeare and umpiring sports

Small department aims to up-skill all teachers to provide as much support as possible directly in lessons. There's specialist one-to-one and small group provision where needed. Roughly 12 per cent of each year group require assistance. Mostly

Wow-factor comes in the form of the new Castle Performing Arts Centre which comprises the latest lighting and acoustic technologies in its 500-seat auditorium. A hefty £4.5m was invested in this purpose-built block that also houses music practice

Recognised by The Cricketer as one of the UK’s top 100 senior cricket schools due to its coaching and facilities. The multi-purpose sports hall boasts four professional standard indoor nets thanks to a partnership with Surrey Cricket Foundation.

Pastoral care is Dunottar’s USP: ‘we look after them,’ states head, who leads the ethos from the top with his boarding housemaster experience and kindly manner. The school’s dedicated pastoral head strikes us as efficacious - more CEO of pastoral

A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.

‘Normal’ is how staff and parents describe the Dunottar community. ‘No-one’s loaded,’ and we certainly don’t sniff any sense of entitlement among the children or parents we meet. ‘We’re not a snotty, stuck-up school,’ stated one parent. As many

Lower fees than the local competition. Almost 40 per cent of pupils receive some form of financial assistance – though the majority of those are siblings benefitting from the school’s sibling discount scheme. No full bursaries but a limited number of

The warrior learning model encapsulates everything that this school stands for. An independent and inclusive environment with a creative curriculum and curious pupils. Its very existence today is down to tenacity, collaboration, and aspiration. It