Reserve your spot at the Spring open week for the village school with a global impact – Scotland’s award-winning independent school proves that small is mighty.
When St Columba’s pupils leave sixth-year they are well prepped for whatever life brings them – whether that’s being a professional American football player, working as a top chef in a Michelin Star restaurant, or taking a place in the House of Lords. And Depute Rector Jan Fulton attributes much of the alumni’s success to the school’s unique approach to pastoral care and the partnerships they have created with external agencies to support the wellbeing of their young people.
St Columba’s is an independent day school set in the Kilmacolm countryside just 20 minutes west of Glasgow, teaching children from nursery age to sixth-year.
This month it was accredited as a UNICEF Rights Respecting School Gold Award for all age groups, making it the first school in Scotland to achieve the award in one go for ages 3-18. This is the highest award UNICEF UK gives schools and reflects how the voices of the youngest right through to the oldest pupils are listened to and valued.
UNICEF RRSA Assessor, Steven Kidd said “It was evident that children’s rights are embedded across the school and underpin every facet of school.”
Achieving Gold Rights Respecting School status is an important milestone in the history of our school; one that we are incredibly proud of. That we have achieved this together – from our littlest learners to the sixth-year students preparing to go out into the world – makes it even more special. We may have reached our goal, but we know that the work does not stop here. We will continue to nurture a safe and inclusive community for all Columbans and to promote social justice.
St Columba’s rector, Victoria Reilly
So what makes St Columba’s special?
With a maximum roll of just over 600 pupils and a high staff ratio, there’s a real sense of community in the campus. With community initiatives, an active wellbeing strategy, and a dedication to holistic education the school ensures the pupils, teachers and parents really get to know one another and form a working relationship that supports the children.
As one of our pupils told the UNICEF team, “Everyone knows everyone, it’s a community. Across the entire school.”
And for anxious pupils worried about the step up to ‘big school’, P7 for Columbans is called Transitus, where pupils spend a third of classes with their familiar class teacher, and two-thirds moving to other classes for individual subjects, supported by their Head of House and the pastoral team. This makes it one of the most important years that a child can join the St Columba’s family.
As well as a good range of academic classes and sports, St Columba’s offers 50 after-school and lunchbreak clubs and social activities, over a huge range of topics. “And if they can’t find a club that’s right for them, we help create one,” added Ms Fulton.
Columbans learn the art of communication – helped by a zero-tolerance mobile phone-free learning environment. Pupils socialise at lunchtime, attend any one of the clubs on offer, or play sports and classrooms are spaces without distractions, where knowledge is shared, and curiosity stoked.
The school’s approach to respectful debate and conversation has proved a tremendous success. Scotland recently won the World Schools Debating Championships, and two out of five team members, and two coaches, came from St Columba’s.
Ms Fulton added: “We equip our students to be well-grounded, resilient and ready to meet a rapidly changing world. They are compassionate, motivated and know how to express themselves eloquently.”
And that Columban community doesn’t end when pupils leave the school. The Development & Alumni team organises regular and hugely popular social events and catch-ups, where that team spirit continues.
“Mentorships, networking opportunities, class reunions, sporting weekends – our alumni community is active all year round. We have members from 18 to 100 who regularly engage with us. Once you are a Columban, you are part of the family for life,” says Ms Fulton.
Parent testimonial
“We chose St Columba’s because there is no other school like it locally, or indeed, in Glasgow. The campus is beautiful and the school is an educational gem, nestled away in the very desirable, safe, calm and rural town of Kilmacolm. At St Columba’s, every child is an individual, not just ‘another child’.
“He is not just ‘one of many’ and has really flourished here in a way that I really did not expect! The leafy Junior School site is beautiful, his teachers are both awesome and awe-inspiring, there are lots of chances to play sport, to learn new things in extracurricular clubs and take up a musical instrument of his choice.
“These, and many other opportunities, are truly inspiring to someone so young – he feels like he can achieve anything which was certainly not the case when I was at school. I have no doubt that my son will continue to grasp every opportunity to learn and grow at St Columba’s – I wish I could go back and do it all again myself!”
Parent of a Junior 4 pupil, 2024
