Virtually Royal: Aberdeenshire Head takes palace visit

Aberdeenshire’s virtual headteacher Holly Robinson was invited to St James’s Palace in recognition of her work supporting care-experienced children and young people across the region.

Holly attended a special reception hosted by Prince Edward and Princess Beatrice, after being invited by the Outward Bound Trust. 

The invitation acknowledges her support for the Trust’s residential centre in Loch Eil and her close collaboration with Aberdeenshire’s growing network of Promise Groups.

Promise Groups, now totalling 52 across the Shire, take place in nurseries, primary schools, and secondary schools.

You can read more about Promise Groups here.

Working with community groups and partners, these weekly sessions offer creative and active opportunities that help care-experienced young people build confidence, communication, leadership skills and, importantly, a strong sense of belonging. 

Across Aberdeenshire, around 300 care-experienced children are supported through these initiatives.

The Outward Bound Trust shares a long-standing commitment to the power of outdoor learning, and the visit comes as The Duke of Edinburgh takes on the role of Royal Patron, with Princess Beatrice appointed as a new Deputy Patron.

Young people are central to the success of Promise Groups, shaping each term’s projects and activities to ensure their voices guide the work being done.

Holly said: “The Outward Bound Trust and our Promise Groups share a belief in the incredible impact outdoor education can have on young people’s lives. 

“We see how these groups help our care-experienced pupils feel confident in their abilities, challenge outdated stigma, and create a safe space where their voices are respected and heard.

“I was incredibly honoured and proud to attend the reception at St James’s Palace. It was a privilege to represent our young people and the dedicated teams who support them, and to see the value of this work recognised at a national level.”