Years III & IV - in the heart of main school

Atholl House (Years III & IV)

As one of the larger boarding houses, there are 14 dorms in Atholl House, ranging from a two-bed room to larger mezzanine-style rooms accommodating up to ten girls.

Offering a busy and vibrant atmosphere where there is always something going on, Atholl House is a very happy place to be. From celebrating special birthdays, achievements in School, and enrichment successes, to buckling down to the demands of GCSEs, students turn their hand to every situation with a happy smile.

Find out more about all our boarding houses here.

What's it like to live in Atholl House?

Atholl House is one of the larger boarding houses at Queen Margaret’s, meaning that - at times - it can be one of the most bustling! The house has nine dorms in total, ranging from a two-bed room to larger mezzanine-style rooms - newly refurbished and accommodating up to ten girls.

The girls in Atholl House are always busy, whether it be buckling down to the demands of their GCSEs or taking part in one of the many Enrichment activities on offer. Many of our girls take on the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award, and this proves a popular choice year after year. Once in Atholl House, girls receive a little more freedom and they are expected to further develop their independence. The girls take turns with duties as we feel it is important to instil a sense of responsibility and allow each girl to practise basic life skills.

What should parents know about Atholl House?

Girls in Atholl House are allowed to go to the local garage at the weekend, so it is advisable to send them with some pocket money as they often like to go for a stroll when lessons are over on a Saturday.

Weekend activities are compulsory for year III girls and optional for year IV – they have the choice of taking part because, at this stage in their studies, they are starting to practise the art of balancing work and play, and we try and encourage them to make the right decisions for themselves.

We notice that the girls certainly feel the transition from Red House to Main School, with regard to their studies. Ultimately, the more organised they can be with their work, the better. There are four nights of supervised prep, but girls are also encouraged to prioritise their learning and begin to study independently outside these times by using our two book rooms - Hogwarts and Poston.

What makes Atholl House unique from others on campus?

Year III & IV is a transitional time for girls with the start of their GCSE study in Year IV. We recognise this change and support the girls with their work and enrichment activities, while also encouraging them to find a good balance between work and play. This is also the last year that girls will spend living in the main School building, so it holds a special fondness as they will spend the next three years in dorms situated around campus.

We asked our Atholl House Housemistress about her favourite part of life in Years III & IV. Here’s what she had to say…

The girls can be very entertaining and often make us laugh. Once they reach Atholl House, they are at an age when we are able to have fairly adult conversations and can share their humour. Also, working so closely with the girls not only keeps us young, but is a great way to keep up with popular culture and modern technology – the girls love nothing better than showing the House Team their latest ‘celebrity crush’, or showing us how to do something on a Mac. We aim to create a relaxed atmosphere in Atholl House where girls feel at home but are respectful of each other and their environment – we feel it works well.

Find out more about all our boarding houses here.