Give us the elevator pitch for your business.
Albyn School is a leading independent, co-educational school in Aberdeen, offering exceptional education from nursery through to S6. When a child joins Albyn, they become part of a happy, safe and vibrant family where they can learn and thrive. Thanks to our size, we are small enough to know every child, but big enough to inspire every ambition and build a truly connected school community. This year, we are proudly celebrating 100 years on Queen’s Road - a century of learning, connection and contribution to Aberdeen.
Who are your customers?
At the heart of everything we do are our pupils – from age 2 to 18 – and their families, who place their trust in us for their children’s education, development and wellbeing.
Our relationship with families continues well beyond their time at school. Our Former Pupils form an active and valued global community, many of whom live and work in the North East and remain closely connected to Albyn.
Our customer base also extends into the wider community. We support families through our Holiday Clubs, Revision Sessions and Sports Camps, and we welcome external groups through our growing facility-hire programme. From local sports clubs and music tuition to business meetings and conferences, we serve a broad and diverse community across Aberdeen.
What is the biggest challenge and opportunity your organisation is facing right now?
Albyn is embarking on an exciting, ambitious new chapter, as we recently launched our new strategy designed to take the school confidently into its next phase of growth and development. This presents significant opportunities for our whole community - from strengthening our academic and pastoral provision to deepening partnerships across the city and investing in facilities that will benefit generations to come.
One of the most significant challenges facing independent schools like ourselves is the financial pressure brought about by the addition of VAT to school fees. It has brought real concern for families who already make considerable sacrifices to invest in their children’s education and at a time when the cost of living is rising across the board, it threatens the diversity and accessibility that we strive to maintain. Yet even within this challenge lies an opportunity. By focusing on financial sustainability, philanthropy, and community engagement, we are positioning the school to continue serving the region as a vibrant, ambitious and inclusive educational community.
What is your word of advice for fellow Chamber members?
Supporting education today means cultivating the local talent that will drive future prosperity in the North East. We are a school for Aberdeen, not just in Aberdeen, and a core part of our mission is to be an enduring force for good. By building stronger partnerships between employers, schools and colleges, we can align skills development with our region’s economic ambitions. I would encourage fellow Chamber members to reach out, collaborate with us and look for opportunities to help young people gain the skills, confidence and real-world insight that will keep Aberdeen thriving
What is the best thing about being a Chamber member?
Having an engaged network for businesses and organisations in the North-east to share knowledge, expertise and connect through different forums.