Lathallan offers unique opportunities for travel and personal development.
Personal Development
Personal Development Afternoons (PDA) are a core part of the Lathallan School curriculum and offer pupils the chance to grow and develop their skills beyond the classroom. From gaining barista training in our on-site coffee shop, to designing and creating your own outfit or reporting as a pupil journalist for the Brotherton Post student newsletter, Lathallan has something on offer for every pupil on a Friday afternoon.
Pupils can take part in farming, golf, shooting, dressmaking, photography, rock climbing, skiing, flying, journalism, magic and auditions for our school show among many other opportunities on offer depending on the season.
Our inspirational PDA programme has honed the talents of many pupils to help them achieve beyond Lathallan with current and former pupils using it as a springboard to compete for Scotland at Laser Run, to set up a successful jam-making business and to host their own radio station.
Youth Philanthropy
Since 2014, S3 pupils from Lathallan School have been among the thousands of young people from across Scotland participating in The Wood Foundation’s Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) each academic year.
An active citizenship programme, YPI raises awareness of social issues and local charities, and empowers young people to make a difference in their local communities.
Pipers’ Coffee Shop
Pipers’ is more than just a place to grab a coffee. It is a social enterprise that is entirely focused on giving back to the local community and supporting charitable causes. In fact, through Pipers’ alone Lathallan has donated over £30k since 2014. Every Friday afternoon during term time, the student team, led by a pupil that has been promoted to the role of manager, serves up fresh bakes and drinks for the school community to enjoy.
Trips
From a successful Kilimanjaro trip in Tanzania which saw all 28 participants reach the summit of the highest mountain in Africa – one of the world’s Seven Summits – to self- supported overnight camping just two km from the school, Lathallan offers something to meet all abilities.
In early 2019 our pupils went on a Geography trip to Iceland. This Geography trip saw our Senior Pupils visit the Reykjanes Peninsular, The Golden Circle, The South Shore, a lava centre and the Blue Lagoon. S3-S6 pupils will travel to Munich in December as part of a history-focused tour.
In 2022/23 trips included:
- Wales – a six-day trip for rock-climbing, surfing, coasteering and camping.
- Salzburg – 33 pupils from S1-S6 took to the Austrian piste for a week of snow sports.
- Munich – tied in with studies of the Cold War and Germany. Pupils also had the opportunity to practice their language skills and experience the famous Christmas markets.
- South Africa – Lathallan has been supporting Vuyani Safe Haven for over a decade. Pupils also visited Asante Sana Game Reserve to support conservation projects.
Duke of Edinburgh
Lathallan is a leading independent school in Scotland for the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Our school has the highest percentage of pupil uptake and completion at Bronze, Silver and Gold level in the country and is led by our highly-qualified teachers and assessors, who all hold minimum of Mountain Leader or above.
Our pupils plan and execute their own expeditions. At Bronze and Silver level we make full use of the school grounds and unique location by running our expeditions in the adjacent mountains.
All S3 participants complete their volunteering through the Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) with further volunteering and service opportunities for school pupils in the local community.
Our wide range of sporting and musical activities enable pupils to complement existing skills and fulfil their physical and skill sections of their appropriate DofE Award.
