| Established | 1930 |
|---|---|
| Type | Independent school |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Principal | Michael Farmer |
| Location | Bridge of Earn Perthshire PH2 9BQ Scotland |
| Students | 340 |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Ages | 2–18 |
| Campus | Rural; 72 acres (290,000 m2) |
| Contact No | 01738 812257 |
| Website | Kilgraston School |
Kilgraston School is a British independent school, founded in 1930. It is a Roman Catholic boarding and day school for girls aged 2½–18 and day boys aged 2½–9. Currently more than 340 pupils attend Kilgraston, of which 158 live at Kilgraston for either week-nights or for entire half terms. Outside of the main mansion-house there are three residential houses: girls aged 8–13 live in Butterstone, those aged 13–16 stay in Mater and have their own study bedroom, and girls aged 16–19 live in Barat or Swinton for the Sixth Form and also have their own study bedroom.
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Kilgraston's earliest records date back to the 13th century where it was called Gilgryston.
The school is centred upon a mansion house set in 72 acres (290,000 m2) of parkland, at Bridge of Earn, in Perthshire, 3 miles (4.8 km) south of Perth and 40 minutes north of Edinburgh, in rural countryside.
John Grant, the eldest son of Patrick Grant of Glenlochy, in Strath Spey, Inverness-shire, and whose principal wealth was made in Jamaica, was for several years a member of the Assembly there, becoming an assistant Judge of Jamaica's Supreme Court, and eventually succeeded Thomas French as Chief Justice of that island in January 1783, which office he held until 1790. Also, in 1783, he was confirmed as an armiger by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. Grant purchased, towards the end of the 18th century, from the Murray and Craigie families, the contiguous estates of Kilgraston and Pitcaithly, situated in the east end of the beautiful and rich valley of Strath Earn, and extending over part of the Ochil Hills. He died issueless at Edinburgh on March 29, 1793, and is buried under a marble tablet in St Cuthbert's Churchyard. He was succeeded in his estates by his brother Francis (d. 1819, who built the mansion.
The mansion was used as a private home until World War I during which it was used as a hospital. In 1930 the house and grounds were purchased by the Society of the Sacred Heart and opened as a school with 40 boarders. The Society ran the school until 2000 when it became an independent Catholic school.
Today with record pupil numbers, and better than average academic results, Kilgraston is experiencing a renaissance. Recent capital investments have included the opening of a new 25m indoor swimming pool complex (May 2008) and upgrades to the equestrian centre (Kilgraston is the only school in Scotland with equestrian facilities on campus) including a 60m x 40m floodlit arena (August 2008) and a new international sized all-weather floodlit hockey pitch (June 2010). Other developments have been a new theatre with retractable seating for 150, a bistro style dining room, sports pavilion as well as an ongoing upgrade of the residential facilities. Future plans include a new Science Building as well as a brand new Sixth Form Study Centre. Kilgraston attracts pupils from across the world especially Scotland, England, Ireland, Mexico, Spain, Germany, China, the Philippines and Hong Kong. Former pupils are affectionately known as KGs. The school is known by its pupils as "Kilgy".
Kilgraston remains a part of the worldwide network of Sacred Heart schools all sharing certain basic principles such as encouraging the growth of the individual while developing feelings of community and social awareness at all levels. Kilgraston has a tradition of ecumenism and welcomes pupils from all backgrounds and families in sympathy with the Christian values fostered by the school.
There are many socials with boys at the neighbouring public schools and the all boys Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh where there are reciprocal arrangements for fees. Network of Sacred Heart Schools