Round Square is world wide association of schools which share a commitment, beyond academic excellence, to personal development and responsibility through service, challenge, adventure and international understanding.

There are currently over 60 member schools in five continents.  All these schools share a belief in the philosophy of the educationalist Dr Kurt Hahn, who believed that schools should have a greater purpose beyond preparing students for college and university.  Round Square schools prepare young people for life - by having them face it directly and experience it in ways that demand courage, generosity, imagination, principle and resolution.

Founded at Gordonstoun School, the name comes from the Scottish term 'The Square'  - often given to the administrative centre of an estate. The Square at Gordonstoun is an impressive 17th century circular stone building. It was there that the meeting of the founding heads of the association was held - hence the name Round Square.

To find out more, go to the Round Square website.

As a Round Square school, Cobham Hall aims to prepare students for real life by offering challenges and opportunities for leadership, adventure and service.

Outdoor, adventure and environmental activities are organised in school.  Student exchanges with other Round Square schools are frequent, giving an insight into school life in other countries and there are also opportunities to attend Round Square conferences as a student delegate.

There are many opportunities for leadership, and student participationin the management of their school is strongly encouraged in all year groups.  Above all, the idea of responsibility and service to others is fostered.

Students devote time to fund raising in school, and many spend time in the holidays working on one of the Round Square Interntional Service projects around the world, living and working with the local community.  Without exception, the girls return with the sense that they have learned something valuable about the different cultures and environments which make up the world they live in.

It is these activities which encourage students to expand their horizons and to become well-informed and thoughtful citizens.

For some years, Cobham Hall has been supporting a student at the Starehe School in Kenya by sponsoring his school fees.

We were delighted to hear in May that Eric has gained a good pass in his KCSE exams (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education) and has qualified for university entry.

Eric exchanges letters regularly with students and staff at Cobham Hall and we shall continue to keep in touch and follow his progress at university.

Erik Otiene is an orphan and, although he worked hard in primary school and gained a good pass in the National Primary Leaving Examination, support was required to enable him to continue his education.

Through our fundraising efforts, we have sponsored Erik's school fees at Starehe School in Nairobi, and sent him pocket money for the past six years.

We were delighted to learn in May that Erik has gained a good pass in his KCSE (Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education) exams and has qualified for university entry in 2009.  In the meantime, he is taking a computer course at Starehe.

Over the years, Erik has made several pen friends amongst Cobham Hall students.  In his early years at Starehe, he wrote:

'It is with great pleasure to write this letter to you.  It's very fine here at Starehe.  So many of your students have been writing to me. I'm very glad to inform you that it is so interesting to get to know them.  Please ask them to continue communicating.  I greatly benefit from their encouragements.  Thank you once again for your generosity.'

Six student and two staff delegates attended the annual Round Square Conference at Daly College, Indore in India in October 2007.

The Conference, and the whole trip, proved to be a very enjoyable - and thought-provoking - experience for them all.

For a report and pictures on the trip, click on In the News on the Home Page or go to News and Events and select Cobham Hall in the News.

Following the Tsunami disaster, Round Square set up the Medium Term Relief Project, designed to address the problems which will continue after the initial disaster relief.

Students can go on exchange to other Round Square schools around the world.

Cobham Hall has welcomed students from Australia, Botswana, the USA, Canada, Germany and Oman.  

Girls from Cobham Hall have enjoyed exchange visits to schools in Europe, Australia and Oman.

Students have the opportunity to contribute to a Round Square International Service project.  These are organised all over the world - wherever they are needed. 

Students of different nationalities come together in developing countries on projects such as building and renovation of village schools and houses, installing water systems and working in orphanages.  Students live and work with the local people, and inevitably feel that they have received more than they have given!

Cobham Hall students have recently participated in Service Projects in India and Africa.  Girls are currently raising funds for a trip to a project in Kenya.