About Albyn School

At Albyn School we are educating for life. Our progressive philosophy is centred on being stronger together with a focus on building academic excellence, growing community spirit and engendering social conscience. We want our pupils to be self-aware, ambitious and outward-looking, so they can contribute to the world as global citizens.

In order to achieve this, we seek to help them develop six key qualities: Curiosity, Resilience, Confidence, Endeavour, Empathy and Teamwork.

Everything we do is underpinned by our ethos of community spirit, love of learning and mutual respect. We know that we are better together.

Albyn School is a forward-looking, forward-thinking and progressive school. Our strategy plays to our strengths, it values our history and heritage, and it empowers our children to take ownership of their future.

• To foster a love of learning and promote a sense of belonging in your child. 

• To lead with our strong core values so that your child will flourish and reach their full potential. 

• To be the first choice independent school for your child by offering an educational experience that embraces all they can be.

Together we are a strong, collaborative and inclusive community where everyone is treated with respect and kindness. Everyone is known and supported to grow as an individual. The character of each individual is developed, and their physical and mental wellbeing is nurtured in a safe environment.

Self-aware 

Everyone is encouraged to learn about themselves and move beyond their comfort zone to develop the resilience for whatever life may throw at them. Curiosity develops independent-minded, critical thinkers able to reflect on their experiences and ready to take charge of their own life.

Ambitious 

Every member of the community is empowered to become a lifelong learner and to strive for excellence. Hard work and endeavour build the confidence that unlocks potential. A breadth of exciting and rewarding academic and co-curricular opportunities and experiences guides every member of the community to discover their unique passions, talents and purpose.

Outward-looking 

We develop outward-looking individuals with compassion, empathy and a strong social conscience who are catalysts for change in a rapidly changing and uncertain world. Teamwork prepares them to be a force for good and to make a positive impact in their local community and the wider world.

We want our pupils to be self-aware, ambitious and outward-looking. In order to do this, we seek to help them develop six key qualities.

Curiosity 

We want to continually discover, learn and improve. We believe that growth comes from having an open and enquiring mind and applying it to anything we face.

Resilience

We take change, and life’s challenges, in our stride and bounce back from adversity. We say ‘yes’ to the opportunities that excite us.

Confidence

We are quietly self-assured, believe in our own abilities, and trust ourselves to succeed.

Endeavour 

We are determined and work hard at everything we do. We know that bravery, effort and the willingness to try new things in pursuit of our goals are rewarded.

Empathy

We show care, compassion and kindness. We seek first to understand and to respect the feelings of others.

Teamwork

We work together, communicate well, and help the whole to become more than the sum of the parts. 

The school’s motto, vigor et juventas, means vigour and youth and it comes from an ode written by the great Roman poet, Horace. In it he refers to the life of a young golden eagle, taking flight for the first time. One stanza reads:

youth and his native vigour first launching him
fresh to his labours, out from the nest: spring winds,
despite his fears, when the storms were past,
teaching him, then, unaccustomed effort

Despite his fears, the eagle learns the value of true effort. Later the poem says that in the same way “golden eagles don’t produce shy doves”,

education improves your inborn qualities,
and its proper cultivation strengthens the mind.

Mr Mackie introduced the motto when he was headmaster in the 1880s because he wanted Albyn pupils – then an all-girls school – to be “brave eagles”, and not “shy doves”. This was a powerful statement, at a time when the lack of women’s rights were coming under scrutiny and the suffrage movement was gathering momentum. And that progressive approach is why, not long after in 1894, this school produced the first female graduates of Aberdeen University.

Mr Mackie’s positive and progressive attitude continues to direct our approach, and we hope it inspires you to believe in your ability to excel regardless of barriers that still exist in today’s society. As such, Albyn School is committed to being a welcoming community for everyone. We believe that discrimination in any form – such as of ethnic or national origin, religion, belief, political opinion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability – has no place at Albyn School. Together, we celebrate diversity and support an inclusive culture for all.

The rules below are not designed to be all encompassing but seek to highlight what is expected of pupils who attend Albyn School in terms of their conduct both during the school day and beyond, to support a positive learning environment for everyone. 

Principles 

• Everyone has the right to be respected. 

• Everyone is expected to take ownership over their own behaviour. 

• Everyone is expected to show courtesy and consideration for others, for the School and for the wider community. 

• Good discipline is best promoted by purposeful learning and setting a good example. 

Expectations of Pupils 

• Pupils are expected to behave in ways that are respectful towards other pupils and staff. 

• Pupils are expected to behave in ways that support their learning and the learning of others. Disruption to learning will not be accepted or tolerated. 

• Pupils are expected to take responsibility for their own learning by taking an interest in their progress and performance and by making the most of classroom and home learning opportunities. 

• Pupils are expected to attend school each day and arrive on time. 

• Pupils are responsible for catching up on missed work if they have been absent. 

• Pupils are expected to refrain from any form of bullying, harassing, or discriminatory behaviour. This includes prejudice-based bullying behaviour motivated by an individual’s actual or perceived identity, including, but not limited to, the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010. 

• Pupils are expected to wear their school uniform correctly and take pride in their appearance. 

• Pupils who have a mobile phone are expected to keep these away and out of sight during the school day. Smart watches should be set to a ‘do not disturb’ option during the school day. 

• Pupils have a responsibility to care for the physical environment of the school and keep it clean and in good order. 

• Pupils should not do anything that may endanger others, themselves, or school property. 

• Pupils have a responsibility to treat other people’s property with respect and care. They must not steal, damage, or destroy the property of others. 

• Pupils have a responsibility not to smoke, vape, consume alcohol or take drugs, or influence others to do so. 

• Pupils have a responsibility to behave in such a way that leads the wider community to respect our school. 

• Pupils have a duty to report any concerns of any nature to a member of staff. 

Pupils who do not adhere to the Pupil Code of Conduct may be subject to the school’s Pupil Disciplinary Policy.