Lomond School has announced a new long-term partnership with international education organisation Scholarium, in a move which will provide renewed investment, stability and international opportunities for the Helensburgh school.
The announcement follows the end of the exclusivity period and Lomond’s decision not to proceed with the acquisition by QED Schools Group. This enabled Lomond to explore alternative opportunities that would provide both long-term stability and the potential for future growth.
Following those discussions, Lomond has entered into a long-term partnership with Scholarium. Representatives of Scholarium will join Lomond School’s Board of Governors as the remaining legal and regulatory steps are completed.
Scholarium, founded in Vienna more than 20 years ago and now based in Switzerland, has developed an international reputation for education, digital learning and the development of physical locations for internationally minded families. The organisation has built its work around academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, practical learning and lifelong education.
For Scholarium, Lomond School’s history, location and distinctive identity were central to its decision to pursue the partnership. The organisation has made clear that its intention is to build on the school’s existing strengths rather than impose a new identity, while providing additional investment, international reach and long-term support.
Claire Chisholm, Principal of Lomond School, said:
“This is an incredibly positive development for Lomond School and one which creates exciting opportunities for our pupils, families and staff. Scholarium has demonstrated that it understands what makes Lomond special – our people, our community, our heritage, our beautiful location and, above all, our commitment to providing an outstanding education for every pupil.
“What particularly attracted us to Scholarium was its long-term approach and its belief in continuity. It does not want to change what makes Lomond Lomond; it wants to invest in it and help us build on the strong foundations we have established. The opportunities that come with Scholarium’s international network and educational expertise are extremely exciting, while our identity as a Scottish school will remain at the heart of everything we do.”
Scholarium’s founder, economist and author Rahim Taghizadegan, said Lomond represented a rare opportunity to combine a strong school and community with an international educational network.
Rahim Taghizadegan said:
“We are interested in Lomond School precisely because it is a living institution with history, place, continuity and a distinctive identity. That is its highest value for us.
“Our intention is not to impose a new identity on Lomond. On the contrary, we want to support the path that Claire and her team have established, providing renewed capital, international reach and the confidence that the school can be stabilised and developed without losing its character.
“We see Lomond as a remarkable opportunity: a school firmly rooted in Scotland, with an international outlook through its International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum and boarding community, and with the potential to become a trusted educational destination for internationally minded families. We believe Lomond can become even stronger and more internationally connected while remaining firmly anchored in its own place, character and traditions.”
A key area of alignment between the two organisations is their educational philosophy. Scholarium’s intellectual tradition draws on the Austrian School and its connection with the Scottish Enlightenment, with an emphasis on practical judgement, experience, independence and institutions that develop organically.
This closely complements Lomond School’s commitment to the IB and its focus on developing knowledgeable, compassionate and internationally minded young people who are confident thinkers and lifelong learners.
The partnership also creates opportunities to strengthen Lomond’s international profile, develop new relationships with universities and educational organisations, broaden its reach among international families and explore thoughtful applications of digital learning and technology.
Importantly for the Lomond community, Claire Chisholm will remain as Principal, with the school’s Senior Leadership Team continuing in their existing roles. Alistair Hart will remain on the Board, alongside Dominic Fitzgerald, while representatives of Scholarium will join the Board of Governors.
Scholarium has already provided substantial financial support to Lomond School, demonstrating its commitment to the school and providing an immediate foundation for the partnership.
The announcement comes as Lomond prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2027. While Lomond School was established in 1977 through the amalgamation of Larchfield Academy and St Bride’s School for Girls, its roots in Helensburgh stretch back to the 19th century. We are proud to celebrate this rich heritage while continuing to look to the future.
Claire Chisholm added:
“It feels particularly fitting that as Lomond approaches its 50th anniversary, we are also beginning such an exciting new chapter. We can look back with enormous pride at everything our school community has achieved over the past five decades, while now having the support and investment to be ambitious about what the next 50 years can bring.
“This is about protecting what is special about Lomond while giving the school the opportunity to flourish. I am looking forward to what we can achieve together.”
The partnership is subject to the completion of the remaining legal and regulatory processes.
