Beyond Ardvreck
"It is a real pleasure to have Ardvreckians in our midst at Merchiston. More often than not, they are talented young men within and outwith the classroom. They make the most of their talents and they are keen to discover and develop new talents. They are always whole-hearted and willing to give everything a real ‘go’. In our experience, Ardvreckians prove to be grounded individuals who are ‘good’ people. Ultimately, this really matters!"
Mr Andrew Hunter, Headmaster 1998-2018, Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh
AFTER ARDVRECK
Since 2018, over seventy scholarships have been awarded to Ardvreck pupils to Senior schools of their choice. Our well-rounded, confident and altruistic pupils are coveted by Senior schools across the UK.
Pupils have been offered places to Senior schools across the UK and beyond including Ampleforth, Eton, Fettes, Glenalmond, Gordonstoun, Harrow, Kilgraston, King’s Canterbury, Malvern, Marlborough, Merchiston, Milton Abbey, Oundle, Queen Margaret’s York, Radley, Robert Gordon, Rugby, Sedbergh, Sherborne, Shrewsbury, St Mary’s Ascot, St Mary’s Calne, Stowe, Strathallan, Uppingham and Winchester.
OLD ARDVRECKIANS
We love to continue developing strong links with Old Ardvreckians in the UK and abroad. We always like to hear news about where they are now and what they are doing. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of the School’s founder, Mr Frost, we hosted a Founder’s Day in 2022 and in May 2023, to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the School we held a Barvick Day. A large number of Old Ardvreckians (aged 25 to 91) were warmly welcomed back to the School. In April 2025 we are holding the inaugural Ardvreck Golf day to which all Ardvreckians are invited. For further details on the day please go to our Alumni page.
You can now add Ardvreck as part of your LinkedIn education so please add us in order to link up with other OAs. Please visit our Alumni page to find out how to update your contact details to ensure you are invited to future events, as well as to find out more about our Old Ardvreckians.
FRIENDS OF ARDVRECK
As the old African proverb goes “It takes a village to raise a child” and the Friends of Ardvreck (FOA) are the community of parents, grandparents, guardians, brothers and sisters who are attached to each child at Ardvreck School.
They are represented by a committee of parents who meet a couple of times a term to dream up exciting events to raise money for all the extra things which make this school so unique. More importantly, it is at these events parents get a chance to meet the friends of their children and experience a little bit of the fun that makes this school so magic.
PUBLIC BENEFIT
Ardvreck School seeks to provide Public Benefit in a variety of ways:
- Through the provision of financial assistance to support children who might not otherwise be able to come to the school.
- Through sharing the expertise of its teaching staff with the local community.
- Through providing an excellent all-round education to children aged 3-13.
- By creating a boarding community which offers continuity to the Service children who attend the school.
- Through providing free access to its buildings and sports facilities to a range of organisations. These include sports and musical groups.
- Through hosting sporting and cultural events to which the local community is invited.
- Through being a good employer from within the local community in Crieff.
- Through fostering good links with the local community and the local emergency services.
- Through supporting local companies who supply the school’s catering, housekeeping and maintenance departments throughout the year.
SCHOOL HISTORY
The following is an extract from The School We Love On The Hill, Ardvreck 1883-1983 by Simon J Ireland:
The story has often been told of a day in September 1883 when a 33-year-old man called Mr Frost sat down for tea with his mother, sisters and four little boys. After eating much cake, a school was born.
This was now over 137 years ago and these facts seem quite easy to understand. Mr Frost was our school’s first Headmaster and Ardvreck is known as one of the finest prep schools in the United Kingdom. Yet facts do not always tell the whole story and to understand this particular narrative we are required to probe deeper and to use our imagination.
GOVERNANCE
Ardvreck School Limited is a charitable company in Scotland No. SC009886, its registered office being at Ardvreck School, Gwydyr Road, Crieff, PH7 4EX.
It was founded as a private school in 1883 and remained as such until the present company (Ardvreck School Limited) was incorporated on 17th August 1960 and bought out the then owner, Mr David Smythe. The company is now governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association, last amended and adopted on 24 June 2010.