school guide edinburgh 2015

Edinburgh & The LothiansSCHOOL GUIDEYOUR INDISPENSABLE GUIDE TO EDINBURGH’S BEST INDEPENDENT & STATE SCHOOLS

19 INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS • 245 STATE SCHOOLS

FREE

PRIVATE OR STATEHOW CAN I JUDGE?

WHAT ARE THE COSTSON TOP OF FEES?

SINGLE SEX SCHOOLSWHAT’S THE ATTRACTION?

ENTRANCE TESTS INTO INDEPENDENT SENIOR SCHOOLS - SAMPLE ENGLISH, MATHS AND VERBAL REASONING QUESTIONSPlus

IndependentSchool

HOW TO CHOOSE AN

The homes we all aspire to.

Five bedroom luxury homes in Colinton, Edinburgh, EH13 0DB. Visit our marketing suite or call 0808 278 4898. www.polofi elds.co.ukwww.polofi elds.co.ukwww.polofi elds.co.uk

Showhome now openPrices from £635,000

Five bedroom luxury homes in Colinton, Five bedroom luxury homes in Colinton, Showhome now open

Home Exchange† is subject to availability, status and eligibility. Your present home must meet certain basic qualifying criteria to be eligible for Home Exchange. 100% market value based upon valuations obtained by appointed scheme surveyors. Terms and conditions apply. GCI represents an artist’s impression. Price and availability correct at time of going to print.

Eskbank Grange, Midlothian, EH22 3FW 5 bedroom homes from only £489,000Take the short journey to Eskbank Grange and enjoy all of what Midlothian has to offer. Choose from one of our ten exclusive fi ve bedroom family homes and enjoy excellent transport links. With the new railway line, Edinburgh City centre will only be 18 minutes from home.

Home Exchange† is also available so why not swap your old house for a brand new Miller home at Eskbank Grange.

For more information please visit our website or call 0808 278 9994.

Take the train to your exclusive Eskbank home.

0808 278 2763 | www.millerhomes.co.uk

HOME EXCHANGE AVAILABLE

www.schoolguideedinburgh.co.uk

3CONTENTS

News4 Independent School

News

9 In the News

21 The Perfect Property Catch

Education23 State or Independent ?

25 Independent Choices

28 Why Board ?

30 Single Sex Education

Finance31 Applying for Fee

Assistance

32 Extras on Top of Fees

34 Funding School Fees

Tests36 Preparing for Entrance

Exams

37 Sample questions - Admission Tests

Schools

42 Independent School Index

43 Independent School Profiles

59 How to Find the Best School for your Child

Listings63 Independent School map

64 Independent Schools – overview

66 Independent Schools – Junior

68 Independent Schools – Senior

70 State School map

71 State Primary Schools

74 State Secondary Schools

77 Specialist Schools

The last page..78 School Memories

from the Head

Dear ReaderFor the first time in 10 years of publishing the School Guide we have made it a FREE publication. As an

annual guide we want to make sure it is available

to all people, all year round and know we can do this by topping up our pick up points around the city.

The School Guide website www.schoolguideedinburgh.co.uk has a list of all the pick up locations across Edinburgh but you will always be able to pick up a copy at the ESPC Showroom on George Street, Edinburgh.

I am often asked for the latest state primary school attainment tables but the Scottish Executive no longer collates reading, writing and math data in the same format that allowed us to publish attainment results school by school. Therefore, we have assembled our own performance tables on page 70 using the 2010 attainment results, HMIe reports, % Free Meal Entitlement (FME) and the exam results of the secondary school linked to the feeder Primary School. Whilst this is not ideal it remains the only set of resources currently available to parents.

We hope you find the guide useful and welcome all feedback by email and Facebook.

EditorNikki Miller

ContributorsGeorge Hawkins of Step Ahead Tuition. Alison Short of SCIS

DesignMarie Irvinewww.mamidesigns.co.uk

Cover ModelOliver Stevens - Loretto School

PublisherSelect Publishing Ltd

To advertise in or stock this annual magazine Contact: Nikki Miller Tel : 07908 [email protected]

Magazine StockistsYou will find this magazine FREE in Cafes, Church Halls, Libraries, Soft Play Centres, Health Centres, and other family friendly outlets in and around Edinburgh.

Or available to purchase online. www.schoolguideedinburgh.co.uk

Socialise with us at :F: www.facebook.com/SchoolGuideEdinburghT: @SchoolGuideEdin

F: www.facebook.com/NurseryGuideT: @NurseryGuideEdi

W: www.schoolguideedinburgh.co.ukW: www.nurseryguideedinburgh.co.uk

Edinburgh & The LothiansSCHOOL GUIDE

Contents

Nikki Miller, Editor

All rights reserved. Reproduction of this guide in whole or part is strictly prohibited without prior permission. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of SelectPublishing Ltd and while every effort is made to ensure that all the information is correct at the time of going to press, revisions may subsequently occur.


4 in the NEWS

NewsIndependent SchoolSCHOOL GUIDE’S ROUND UP OF THE YEAR’S NEWS FROM THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL SECTOR IN EDINBURGH

Model United NationsStewart’s Melville College boys continued their dominance of the Scottish Model United Nations circuit at this year’s conference on June 11th at Inveralmond. They won the majority of the Best Delegate in Committee awards in the morning session, and then the Sixth Form team representing Angola won the Best Delegation in General Assembly trophy in the afternoon. The four individual winners are (left to right) Kenneth McHardy, Mauricio Gibson, Cameron Middleton (all Sixth Form) and Callum Hakimi (S4).

LORETTO GOLFERS SINK RIVALS TO CLAIM TOP TROPHY

Talented young golfers from Loretto Junior School won the Junior Team Trophy at the Independent Association of Preparatory Schools national championships at Hill Valley Golf Club in Shropshire last Friday.

The team, consisting of Euan Cooper (11), Evdokios Demetrios (12) and Santiago Bulle Navarro (12) won the prestigious ‘1892 trophy’ for the winning team. Evdokios Demetrios also secured first place overall in the Under 12 category with Santiago Bulle Navarro coming second place also in the Under 12s.

Jonathan Hewat, Director of External Affairs at Loretto said, “With well over 80 competitive young players from 30 different schools all over the UK competing for the silverware, we are delighted with the tremendous success of the Loretto Golfers.”

Children from The Compass School Inspiring Teachers

In March, children at The Compass School swapped roles as they became ‘teachers’ to teachers at a national conference at the Glasgow Science Centre.

The conference run by iTeach saw the young presenters take centre stage as they talked about the various ways they have been using iPads in their classrooms. Their presentation was very well-received with comments such as “Inspiring”, “Fabulous stuff!” and “Confident individuals” being ‘Tweeted’ during and after their presentation.


5in the NEWS

ACADEMY UNVEIL NEW CLIMBING WALLThe Edinburgh Academy have converted a former squash court at the Aboretum Road Junior School’s sports centre to house a new climbing wall.

The nine metres by six metres space includes two traversing walls, 12 ropes, a competition wall which overhangs by five metres and an abseiling platform.

Lesley Boyd, Director of School Development said, “The Climbing Wall is a gift from the EA Foundation and we are enormously grateful to the large number of donors who contributed. The EA Foundation has recently opened the ‘Spirit of Adventure Fund’ to provide the funds to expand our Outdoor Education programme. The Climbing Wall will play a huge part in giving our pupils an exceptional skill-base to be ready for the Great Outdoors.” The Climbing Wall was opened formally by Academical Simon J. Fraser (EA 1964-77). Whilst a pupil at EA, Simon was instrumental in creating the assault on 150 Munros all over Scotland in one day by Academy pupils to mark the School’s 150th Anniversary. “With Simon’s help we are already planning to climb 200 Munros at the School’s bicentenary in 2024.” Training is underway for staff from across the School to teach climbing and bouldering on the wall, after which pupils from P2 will be eligible to scale the heights.

Belhaven Hill has built a reputation for inspiring children at an early stage not just inside the classroom but also in its magnificent grounds and surrounding beaches and countryside. The three Rs, Reading, Writing and Arithmetic are vital skills but to inspire an appetite for lifelong learning, the three Hs are required; Heart, Hands and Head. “Our Years 5 and 6 engage in an outdoor education which builds on the classroom curriculum, making it real and relevant, developing responsibilities through learning both from the physical surroundings and from fellow pupils.”

“The school also has a thriving conservation club established in 2011, the aim of which is to channel our natural enthusiasm for fresh air, wild woods and windswept beaches into positive and creative conservation projects.”

This year Belhaven Hill has won the Woodland Trust’s prestigious Green Tree Schools Gold Award, the Forestry Commission’s Scotland’s Finest Woods Highly Commended award and has been selected

as a Regional Environmental Champion by Surfers Against Sewage.

“We are always looking for ways to improve the school grounds as a haven and habitat for wildlife and in addition we also want to use our time and effort to run projects that will benefit wild plants and animals beyond the walls of the school in the wider East Lothian community.”

Belhaven Hill wins gold award for its conservation work

ILLU

STRA

TIO

NS ©

FRE

EPIK

.CO

M


6 in the NEWS

Fettes’ new £10 million teaching facility In February, Fettes College announced the development of ‘Fettes North’, a £10million project, largely funded through philanthropy, that will create an incredible new teaching facility completed for the beginning of 2016.

‘Fettes North’ will provide the teaching and learning environment specifically designed to ensure Fettes provides future generations of Fettesians with the education they require in the 21st Century and beyond.

Fettes is thriving and at maximum capacity (and will not grow any larger) and although many classrooms are well suited to subjects such as English, History and the Classics, they are not optimal for learning languages, developing the creative arts or those subjects which benefit from modern technologies.

The exceptional new facilities of ‘Fettes North’ will offer the best possible educational experience for our pupils and will include: 25 new state-of-the-art classrooms for Mathematics, Economics, Modern Languages and Geography; a Music School including new practice rooms, classrooms and performance space; Art School including studios, ceramics department, Art History department and Sixth Form studio and workshop.

‘Fettes North’ will be transformational for the School, setting Fettes up for the next 150 years.

This year, Edinburgh Montessori Arts School celebrates its first ever primary graduates, all of whom have been accepted to their first choice high school, Stewart’s Melville College. The graduates (3 boys) were pleased to be offered places at a top Edinburgh private school, including a full academic scholarship and one pupil progressing straight to second year studies. “At EMAS we take things at a steady pace, not too fast and not too slow,“ Aaron, 11 years old.

Exemplifying the Montessori approach, which aims to build on children’s intrinsic motivation, the school (established in 2006) prides itself on providing what Principal and Founder Emma Rattigan describes as, “a truly holistic approach to learning.”

Session 2014/15 was hugely successful for sport at George Watson’s College: the U18 rugby team retained the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools’ Cup, making it three in a row, followed up by the sevens squad winning all the major tournaments with a 100% record; the boys’ U18 hockey team won the Scottish outdoor title; pupils were selected as part of the GB U16 rowing team, and Watson’s was the top school at the Scottish Schools’ Indoor Rowing Championships; their skiers won the British Schools’ Dry Ski Slope competition; the Girls’ Tennis team reached the Final of the Scottish Schools Tennis competition; in their first year of competing in the Scottish Schools’ Aquathon, they won the team title; numerous medals were won at the Scottish Schools Indoor and Outdoor Athletics championships; and the Rifle club won their British Schools’ division and the U14 and U16 girl cricketers won the national finals.

Watson’s Sporting Success

100% OF MONTESSORI GRADUATES ACCEPTED TO FIRST CHOICE SCHOOLS!

ESG_JUN15 5 stars awarded for customers’ willingness to ‘Recommend to a Friend’ in findings of the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 surveys, undertaken by the Home Builders Federation (HBF).

F O R T H E L U XU R Y YO U D E S E R V E

C O ME TO C A L A NO W

DEVELOPMENTS ACROSS EAST SCOTLAND. CALA.CO.UK

A typical Signature showhome

5 star customer service 6 years running

13948 Edin Schools Guide_297x210_Jun15.indd 1 15/06/2015 14:10


8 in the NEWS

www.portfolio-oomph.comPrivate 1:1 tuition and advice on preparing your art college portfolio.


9in the NEWS

CLEVER TUTORSClever Tutors East Lothian are providers of one-to-one tutors who specialise in helping pupils prepare for Scottish exams. Kay Holliday, Director of Clever Tutors - East Lothian, says, “Not only do our tutors help pupils achieve their grades, they also build confidence. Our tutors are committed to passing on their subject knowledge with enthusiasm using ways that are relevant to the individual pupil.”T: 01620 692 131www.clevertutors.com

FREE TrialKip McGrath Tuition Centres offer professional tuition in maths and English. Whether you are preparing for P1 entry, private school or exams at all levels including SQA, GCSE, IB or Highers (ages 4 to adult). Our specialised team of fully qualified and caring teachers have a proven track record to deliver results. All of our students gained entry to the private school of their choice including some gaining scholarship awards. For further information or a free assessment phone Indy on 0131 610 6110. Our centres are located in Inverleith and Marchmont.

MATHS AND ENGLISH TUITION CENTRESExplore Learning centres found within Sainsbury’s at Craigleith and Murraryfield provide inspirational tuition to 5-14 year olds of all abilities. Explore helps children make fantastic academic progress, whilst the tutors promote positive learning behaviours, helping children stay engaged and focused, building their confidence and enjoyment of learning. The work is mapped to the Curriculum for Excellence, so whether your child needs a bit of a boost in their schoolwork, or would love an extra challenge, Explore can create a course that is perfect for them !

As well as the core Numeracy and Literacy Curriculum, Explore Learning also offers specialised courses that focus on specific areas of learning: Entrance Exam Preparation Course; Creative Writing; Succeeding in Secondary School; Creative Maths. www.explorelearning.co.uk

Supporting International Students at Edinburgh SchoolsIncreasing numbers of international students enrol at Edinburgh’s boarding schools. Edinburgh guardian agency, Academic Families, is looking for host families to welcome an international child into their home for occasional weekends. Hosts are fully supported and expenses reimbursed. Hosts are all different – some have school aged children, are empty nesters or grandparents - but all are caring, want to share our culture and learn more about international children. Some host occasionally, others whenever ‘their child’ has a break from school. It’s

a great opportunity for everyone who is interested in supporting a young person far from their home and family, to make the most of their school days in Scotland.

Contact Lorna at Academic Families T: 0131 331 3317 www.academicfamilies.com

Help for Art StudentsDo you feel a bit lost when it comes to starting and developing your art college portfolio, not knowing where to get started and what to focus on?

You need practical, creative advice that will really help. Portfolio Oomph is a one-stop-shop for art applicants giving you the best information, advice and tools to win your place at art college. They will help you overcome your worries, build your confidence and put together an art application you can feel proud of.www.portfolio-oomph.com

Develop your child’s independent learning skills with Kumon

At your local study centre, Kumon offers individualised maths and Englishprogrammes. Kumon develops children through the acquisition of independent learning skills, rather than teaching in the conventional sense. Your child will be equipped with the ability to learn for themselves so they do not become dependent on, or limited by, the skills and knowledge of others.

Edinburgh, Corstorphine Study Centre Grant Jones, T: 0131 334 1036Edinburgh, Morningside Study Centre Christine Johnston, T: 0131 466 9235.


10 in the NEWS

stick-

FOR HEALTHY, HAPPY KIDS DANCE FOR HEALTHY,

HAPPY KIDS

AWARD-WINNING URBAN DANCE CLASSES AND PARTIESstepitupdance.co.uk 07428 110 135

FOR TOTS TO TEENS

NurseryAdUpdate2015.indd 1 05/06/2015 14:16

Coates Hall, 25 Grosvenor Crescent, Edinburgh EH12 5EL

St Mary,s Music SchoolScotland's specialist music school

and the Choir School of St Mary's Cathedral

For information about music forchildren in Edinburgh, includingour long-establishedSaturday Music ClassesTelephone 0131 538 7766 or visitwww.st-marys-music-school.co.uk

EDINBURGH YOUNG MUSICIANS Director: Jean Murray, B.Mus.

www.e-y-m.org.uk

SATURDAY MORNING CLASSES

pre-instrumental classes, musical foundations, musicianship violin, viola, cello, recorder, chamber music, choirs, orchestras

AGES 3 TO 18

“Many thanks for running such brilliant musical experiences for our children” “His confidence and playing have improved so much during his time with EYM”

“I’m so glad we found EYM. Many, many thanks for all you’ve done for us” “Fantastic tuition, fun, great times”

ST. THOMAS OF AQUIN’S HIGH SCHOOL, NEAR TOLLCROSS

0131-226-3392 [email protected]

Registered Scottish Charity No. SCO33153


11in the NEWS

Urban Dance AcademyAward-winning company, Step It Up Dance, teaches children multiple styles within their Urban Dance Academy. Classes follow their unique, groundbreaking curriculum, which includes rewards for dancers to aim for, progressing at their own pace with lots of fun and praise along the way.

Step It Up Dance also hosts fantastic, active parties! www.stepitupdance.co.uk T: 07428 110 135

Bespoke Drama CoursesThe Acting Scene deliver bespoke weekly and holiday drama courses to primary and secondary school children across Edinburgh and the Lothians. All have gained confidence, improved their self-esteem, but most of all had fun. What makes us unique is our directors and tutors. All are still working, industry professionals in their chosen fields. As such we always teach the latest skills and techniques currently being used in the industry today. [email protected]/TheActingScene

St Mary’s Music SchoolThe 78 full-time pupils of Scotland’s specialist music school, which is also the Choir School of St Mary’s Cathedral, enjoy a busy music timetable with lots of performance opportunities, alongside a full academic curriculum. As well as being at the forefront of music education, the non-denominational school, located in the west end of Edinburgh, takes pride in its excellent academic record. Entry is by audition, at any stage from nine to 19. T: 0131 538 7766 www.st-marys-music-school.co.uk

INSTRUMENT LESSONSMorningside School of Music offers lessons in a wide range of instruments including piano, guitar (acoustic and electric), bass, singing, saxophone, violin, and drums. The teachers are professional, fully-qualified music experts, with extensive backgrounds working within the music industry.

They work with both adults and children (age 4+) and lessons can be grade-based (ABRSM, Rockschool, and Trinity College London), just for fun, or a mix of both! They are located in Morningside, and their building is just steps away from several major bus routes.www.morningsideschoolofmusic.co.uk

Celebrating 10 years of music education in EdinburghPortobello Music School is delighted to be celebrating its10th anniversary with over 350 students aged birth to teens attending its weekday and Saturday music classes. They now have weekday Baby and Toddler Music Classes in Musselburgh and Portobello with students graduating to the Saturday Music School at age 3. Children aged pre-school to primary 2 attend a series of progressive creative music classes which prepare them for group instrumental lessons starting in primary 3. Children can choose from a wide range of instruments including: flute; clarinet; saxophone; violin; guitar; piano and drums, taught by an enthusiastic team of highly experienced music teachers. As well as receiving instrumental tuition, children are also encouraged to attend weekly musicianship classes which develop essential aural skills and music theory.

For further information and/or to enrol, please visit www.portobellomusicschool.com or T: 0131 623 2513

Edinburgh Young MusiciansEach Saturday morning EYM provides musical inspiration for over 300 youngsters from final pre-school year up to 18 year-olds. Musical Play classes (pre-school and P1), Musical Workshop classes (P2) and Beginners’ Musical Foundations classes (P3) are open to children with no musical experience, and are designed to prepare children to learn an instrument or sing in a choir. String orchestras, choirs, musicianship classes and chamber music for all instruments are for those with suitable musical experience. www.e-y-m.org.uk T: 0131 226 3392


12 in the NEWS

With the largest private pool in Edinburgh, not to mention our state-of-the-art fitness suite, aerobics studio with over 50 classes per week, sauna and

steam room, brasserie and crèche (Care Inspectorate registered), there’s nowhere better to relax and get fit…

To arrange a tour and free trial of Westwoods Health Club, simply e-mail us at the address below with your name, address and contact number, quoting “Edinburgh School Guide”. The trial can be used for an individual, couple or

family.

Call: 0131 332 5777 Email: [email protected]

Website: www.westwoodshealthclub.net

Terms and Conditions Apply. Maximum of 2 adults and 3 children per pass.


13in the NEWS

In the heart of the West End, hidden away on an island in the middle of the Water of Leith sits Edinburgh Sports Club. Firmly believing that when it comes to playing sport, the earlier you start the better, the Club has produced over the years an endless supply of Ladies, Mens and Junior Scottish Internationalists.

Research shows that before the age of 10, children are most receptive to learning skills such as running, jumping, balance, co-ordination, throwing and catching. The Club’s First Class coaches ensure these fundamental skills are covered in the initial stages of each child’s long-term development. The comprehensive coaching program is year round and gives every child the opportunity to maximise their potential as ability progresses.

However it need not be so serious as the club has a thriving social side and hosts regular birthday parties, BBQ’s and charity events. The Club caters for all standards of play in its sports and as an a example runs year round mini leagues and the Handicap Squash Team event is a must for all, young and

old, beginner or advanced, enjoyed by everyone, the event is a true family affair, where parents are regularly brought to task by juniors!

To find out more and book your tour of the club, call JJ on T: 0131 539 7071 www.edinburghsportsclub.co.uk

Since our humble start back 2006, PSL Team Sports is now one of the leading multisport teamwear suppliers in the UK and Europe. We have forged strong relationships with leading brands and offer a exceptional range of products in all areas of teamwear. The business has been built on our reputation for service, consistent delivery, quality products and value for money.

We supply to many of the country’s leading education establishments, and sports clubs including Stewarts Melville College, Fettes College, Edinburgh Academy, Kelvinside Academy, High School of Dundee, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cricket Scotland, Scottish Hockey, to name but a few.

We currently work with over 200 organisations in the UK. To find out more www.pslteamsports.com

THE KEY TO SPORTING SUCCESS

PSL TEAM SPORTSspecialises in premium custom clothing for all sports

Set within the stunning grounds of Fettes College you’ll find Westwoods Health Club and it’s the perfect place for the whole family to enjoy a fit and healthy lifestyle.

The club has Edinburgh’s largest private pool with family fun times at weekends and swimming lessons available in either group format or one to one.

For those old enough to use the fitness suite, fitness programmes are included within the cost of membership and are stored electronically, making it easy to settle in to the gym and track your progress. There are over 50 classes per week on the timetable and after your work out you can relax and have a coffee in the brasserie. To find out more, T: 0131 332 5777

A Family Health Club

ILLU

STRA

TIO

NS ©

FRE

EPIK

.CO

M


14 in the NEWS

KIDSCENEAges 4-16

After school and holiday carefor children with and without disabilities in anintegrated and supportive environment.

ROYAL BLIND SCHOOL Ages 5-18

National grant aided schoolproviding specialist education and care. Day andweekly boarding places available.

These services are based in the Morningside area of Edinburgh and have excellent facilitiesincluding a hydrotherapy swimming pool, sensory garden, soft play area, outdoor multi-use gamesand multi-sensory play rooms.

Seeing past blindnessRoyalBlind.org

Kidscene/School ad 2015 17/5/15 6:19 pm Page 1


15in the NEWS

Royal Blind is a Scottish charity creating life changing opportunities for blind and partially sighted children and adults. They run five distinct services, one of which is the Royal Blind School based in Morningside in Edinburgh.

The Royal Blind School is Scotland’s only residential school for visually impaired children and young people. It provides the highest quality of education, care and support to pupils with a visual impairment, including those who have additional support needs and those with complex multiple disabilities. It offers full and part time, day and weekly residential places.

They also provide an education outreach service offering support, training, resources, and advice to staff in mainstream schools who are working with visually impaired pupils.

A free pre-school playgroup for visually impaired children aged five and below takes place on Friday mornings with staff who are specialists in developing communication and play opportunities specific to the needs of children with a visual impairment.

Kidscene After School & Holiday Club shares the same campus as the school and caters for children of all abilities from the ages of 4-16. It offers a reverse integration model which means that, while the main

purpose is to support people with disabilities, they actively encourage those without disabilities to join Kidscene. They say children are able to learn from each other and by attending they grow up knowing that disability is not a barrier to friendships.

Royal Blind provides a unique service that transforms the lives of people with sight loss. Their vision is to make a significant contribution to building a community where blind and partially sighted people, including those with other disabilities, can achieve their potential.

Just £3 a month can provide life skills and support for a blind person. Please donate today www.royalblind.org/donate. Your support can make a difference. Thank you.

“No more antibiotics – it’s made a huge difference to our son’s life.”

Early growth and development is important for the health of your child, and may also be a critical time when exposed to ever-increasing air pollution which can have a lasting effect on their health.

Why not try the Salt Cave’s natural healing method to help prevent and alleviate the symptoms of Asthma, Coughs, Hay Fever and Eczema.

Whilst playing, children inhale dry, salt-enriched air deep into their lungs, starting the healing process. Salt loosens mucus, which begins to clear quickly, inflammation and congestion is reduced allowing them to breathe and feel better.

The Salt Cave, Meadowbank, Edinburgh, is open Tuesday to Saturday and your first session is FREE! T: 0131 510 1091 www.saltcave.co.uk

Tom Kelman is a specialist Paediatric Osteopath who has provided expert advice, treatment and reassurance to families in Edinburgh for the past 12 years. First time mothers with unsettled babies or older children with postural pains, sports injuries, or headaches. Experience is the key to getting fast results and putting anxious parents and their children on the road to recovery. Tom has a post graduate diploma from the renowned Osteopathic Centre for Children in London, having worked and studied there for 2 years before moving to Edinburgh with his wife and three kids.T: 0131 346 0134 / 07866 299250www.osteopathedinburgh.co.uk

Experience Is the Key The Salt Cave

SCOTLAND’S LARGEST VISUAL IMPAIRMENT ORGANISATION


16 in the NEWS

ANNUALPASSES FROM

£34.50See website for further details

Find us at North Queensferry, Fife KY11 1JR.

By the Forth Rail Bridge, just 20 minutes from Edinburgh

Open daily from 10am 01383 411880

www.deepseaworld.comFind us on

Scotland’s National Aquarium offers a unique learning experience with a range of classroom sessions available for all age groups

Dive into

Education at

Deep Sea World

The popular guidebook for parents and carers of under 5s, packed with 1000+ reviews.

Visit www.efuf.co.uk for the book & online subscription.


17in the NEWS

DoodlesDoodles is Edinburgh’s original “paint your own” pottery workshop established in 1999.

We offer a creative and fun environment for all ages and abilities and unique gifts for all occasions. We specialise in children’s hand/foot print and imprints. We also run children’s holiday workshops, adult evening classes, birthday parties, team building/ work parties, hen and stag parties and many community events for schools, Guides, Brownies , Rainbows etc

There is always a friendly and helpful member of staff available to help. We are open 7 days a week and late every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. www.doodlesscotland.co.uk T: 0131 229 1399

SEA WORLD

Dive into the deep at Deep Sea World, Scotland’s National Aquarium. Located beneath the world-famous 125 year old Forth Rail Bridge and home to over 2,000 creatures an exciting adventure awaits you at this unique visitor’s attraction.

Step aboard the 112 metre long Underwater Safari, the longest moving walkway in Europe to come face to face with Deep Sea World’s

seven Sand Tiger Sharks. The largest, known as Tinkerbell, is 10 foot long and celebrating her 31st birthday this year!

She is joined by our new aquarium residents our two Brazilian Seahorses, two lively seal pups from Tynemouth and a quartet of giant spider species.

A truly unique learning experience within a stimulating environment

offering a family fun day out not to missed with free parking, an enjoyable cafeteria, and gift shop for you to delight in we are please to offer a free child admission when accompanied by a full paying adult.

Like us on facebook for regular updates on events or pop by our website to book your tickets online and save. www.deepseaworld.com

HAVE YOU BEEN CABLE WAKEBOARDING

YET?

Foxlake Adventures, Scotland’s first cable wakeboarding park in Dunbar, celebrates its third anniversary with a host of exhilarating activities throughout 2015.

Try out cable wakeboarding, which is great fun and easy to learn, and currently the world’s fastest growing watersport. The cable pulls you over the surface of the lake with a feel similar to surfing or snowboarding but on water, which has become a major hit with families looking to try out something new and action-packed.

Other activities include, inflatable ringo rides, Foxfall, which is a unique low ropes course over water, wakeboarding lessons and holiday camps.

A stationary train carriage, Foxtrail, is available for internal dining from the award winning Boardside Café - all perfect for a great family day out or bespoke birthday parties.www.foxlake.co.uk Dunbar, East Lothian T: 01620 860657


18 in the NEWS


19in the NEWS

CLOUDBERRY GIFT & COFFEE SHOPS A new addition to Blackhall is Cloudberry Gift & Coffee Shop. They stock ‘Perfect Gifts for Everyone’ and specialise in quality Scottish & Seasonal products. From cool homewares to luxurious candles and toiletries, funky jewellery and scarves, quirky books, fantastic cards & wrap, fab kids and baby gifts, even ideas for the ‘hard to buy for men’.

This could be your new favourite place to shop!

And in their coffee shop they sell fantastic homebaking by Rosie’s Kitchen, delicious homemade soup and tasty toasted paninis and wraps not forgetting fabulous coffee and teas by Brodies of Edinburgh.

Open Monday to Saturday 9.30am - 5.30pm and Sunday 11am – 5pm. Cloudberry Gift & Coffee Shops: 5 Seaforth Terrace, Blackhall, EH4 2BS 0131 467 2878. 193 Whitehouse Road, Barnton EH4 6BU 0131 538 0168.

Before you know it, it’s that time again to get the children kitted out for back to school. To facilitate this Treehouse have a fantastic promotion that will make it easy for the whole family this summer.

A FREE haircut with every purchase of School Shoes

Yes Treehouse have a fantastic shoe department and professional hairdressers under the one roof.

A large shoe department stocking quality brands including Start-rite, Ricosta, Petasil, Noel and more. They also stock lots of other school basics including socks, tights, lunch boxes, bags, name tags, shoe polish and school hair colour accessories to ensure you don’t waste a second of those precious school holidays!

All school shoes at Treehouse look good and comply with school uniform regulations, as well as offering all these important features:

• Whole and half sizes running up to adult size 6

• Four width fittings from E to H to cater for every shape and size

• A range of brands to ensure we have something for everyone

• High quality leathers ensuring great looks and durability• All possible fastenings; Velcro, laces and buckle

Expertly trained hairdressers and professional shoe fitters are always on hand to assist you. Quality products at affordable prices with the best service imaginable!

Treehouse, 10-12 Hamilton Place, Stockbidge, Edinburgh, EH3 5AU. www.treehousechildrenswear.co.uk T: 0131 2251242 to book your Back to School Appointment. OFFER RUNS THROUGHOUT JULY AND AUGUST 2015.

Wild Child Designs offers a full design and construction service for bespoke, individually-designed play equipment, seating and wood carving for both private commissions and public projects.

Whatever the commission, Robin’s philosophy is the same: to reconnect children, families and visitors of all ages to the beauty of natural materials and the great outdoors. Robin is a passionate believer in the importance of exploration and un-tamed outdoor play. He thinks the sheer sense of freedom (not to mention healthy exercise) experienced by climbing and scrambling are worth the risk of the odd grazed knee. That said, the safety of his structures is key, as is their durability in all weathers (he is based in Scotland, after all). No fee for consultations. www.wildchilddesignes.co.uk

outdoor play

FREEDOM OF

BACK TO SCHOOL – FREE HAIRCUT

Property,done properly.We’re No.1 for property in East Central Scotland but it’s the other stuff that makes us who we are. We have real people on hand to answer all your property related questions. Call our friendly advisers on 0131 624 8000.

All you need is ESPC.

buying | selling | advice | mortgages | lettings | premier


21Advertising FEATURE

AMY WALKER, MARKETING MANAGER FOR ESPC, THE NO.1 FOR PROPERTY IN EAST CENTRAL SCOTLAND, PROVIDES AN INSIGHT INTO MAKING THE MOVE TO A FAMILY HOME.

The perfect property catch

An expanding family is one of the most common reasons for moving house. Having a child changes the priorities that you would perhaps look for in

a new home. It can be difficult to know where to start searching for a larger home for your new family and with the average house price in a city like Edinburgh significantly increasing since the turn of the century – you want to make sure you find the ideal home for your circumstances and budget.

Across Edinburgh, the average price of a three bedroom house in the first quarter of 2015 was £285,095. Back in 2000 a similar property would have cost an average of around £125,000. The average price of a four bedroom house in the Capital now stands at £445,135 compared to a little under £200,000 at the turn of the century.

For most parents with young children, school catchment areas are one of the main factors to consider when buying a property. With information on schools’ performance now widely available thanks to the league tables published each year, it is easy to identify the schools that are achieving the highest pass rates and parents are obviously keen to get their children into the best performing state schools. With ESPC’s new feature available on espc.com, you can now search for property by school catchment in Edinburgh. There is a really important distinction between ESPC’s school search and other websites which show school information. The ESPC school search doesn’t just show the schools closest to the property, which in many cases are not the actual catchment schools, but lists the four schools which that property is within the catchment boundary for. For families, this is a great new development and one that we are sure will prove to be extremely useful.

Properties that lie within the catchment area of the better performing schools tend to attract higher demand and as a result house prices in these areas are typically higher than in other areas of the city. In the EH10 postcode district for example, where Boroughmuir High School lies, the average price of a three-bedroom house is £387,281, over 35% higher than the citywide average.

Of course it goes without saying that price and catchment area are not the only factors to consider when you’re looking

for a home and that’s especially true when you have a family to think about. Here are a few points that you may wish to consider if you’re thinking of moving to a family home:

l Sense of community – is it a family-friendly area where there are other families with young children close by?

l Safety – look out for areas with a low crime rate and perhaps where you would feel happy with your kids playing out the front or riding bikes in the street.

l Playing space – is there a garden or park close by so that the kids have an outdoor space to play?

l Local amenities – easy access to shops are of key importance, public transport links, child friendly activities

l How many extra bedrooms you would like? – moving house can be expensive and you want to make sure you have enough space for the longer term.

Finding areas that tick all of the boxes can be tricky. ESPC prides itself on the local knowledge of its staff. This includes everything from house prices to local amenities so if you have any questions you can give us a call on 0131 624 8000 or pop into our George Street showroom where one of our friendly advisers will be happy to help advise you on your next move. We offer free advice every day of the week and can make sure you find the right home to suit you and your new family. All you need is ESPC. ■

Locations at Granton and Sighthill For more information call: 0131 516 5773 or visit lenlothian.com

E dinburgh Council provide faith and non-faith schools, as well as specialist and special schools for preschool, primary and secondary levels. Whilst

nursery provision is not restricted to catchment areas, primary and secondary schools are, so doing your research early is advisable.

STATE SCHOOLSEdinburgh Council website has a detailed admissions policy that covers the age a child can start primary school and the catchment areas they operate.

For every address there is a catchment non-denominational school and a catchment Roman Catholic school. Most parents choose to send their children to their catchment schools, but you have the right to request a place in another school. It is important to note that even if your child is allocated a P1 place at a school out with your catchment area, at S1 transfer you will be reserved a place at the secondary that serves your address, not at the secondary that feeds from the primary school. See the Guide’s listing of secondary schools and associated primaries from page 74.

The City of Edinburgh Council website allows you to download a map of the city to see which streets fall into each primary and secondary school’s catchment area. As well as an Interactive School Catchments Map, where you enter your postcode and the relevant catchment school details will appear.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLSEdinburgh has one of the most vibrant independent education sectors in Britain with a good range of day and boarding schools. Our comprehensive listing of Edinburgh’s independent schools starts on page 63. The Scottish Council of Independent Schools website www.scis.org.uk is also a good source of information.

NATIONAL DIFFERENCESThe education system in Scotland is separate from and different to that in the rest of the UK. This is reflected in the different exams and the terms used to describe school year groups.

The Scottish school policy is to place all those children born between March of a given year and February of the following year in the same year group. So the youngest child will start primary school at 4½ years and the oldest child will start at 5½ years depending on when the child’s birthday falls.

Most independent schools are more flexible about the age ranges of children and some have their own terms to describe sections or year groups. Some independent schools offer English exam qualifications as well as the Scottish system. Scotland has no state provision equivalent to England’s sixth form colleges - S5 and S6 are always part of Scottish secondary schools. Generally S5 is when Highers are taken and S6 offers a chance to study additional Higher or Advanced Higher courses.

IN SCOTLAND, EVERY CHILD IS ALLOCATED A FUNDED NURSERY, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACE AT THE NOMINATED SCHOOL FOR THEIR CATCHMENT AREA. ONE OPTION IS TO CHOOSE AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL OR MOVE TO THE CATCHMENT ZONE OF A ‘GOOD’ STATE SCHOOL.

EDUCATION


23

orSTATE Independent?

ILLU

STRA

TIO

NS ©

FRE

EPIK

.CO

M

www.nurseryguideedinburgh.co.uk

24 EDUCATION

ADDRESS BOOK:

The City of Edinburgh CouncilWaverley Court, Level 1/2, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh EH8 8BG. Tel: 0131 469 3032/3033 visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk

Exam Table

so you may ask why pay? On the whole teachers in the independent sector will have access to a well stocked supply of resources be that a good supply of books, paper and crayons or fully stocked science laboratories. Class sizes are often smaller in independent schools, particularly in older year groups and broadly speaking less disruptive due to the expectations of pupil behaviour by teachers and parents. Independent day schools expect teachers to work longer hours by taking on extra curricular duties and boarding schools will expect even long hours, weekends or live-in contracts. In turn it is trusted that fee paying schools are able to offer good working environments and salaries thus attracting high quality teaching staff who see the school as a community similar to a big ‘family’.

It can be said that many Edinburgh state schools offer much of the above too; those situated in affluent areas with parents and teachers who have high expectations of their children produce excellent exam results and have extra curricular activities on par with the independent sector. These schools have very active Parent Councils who fund raise to help supply the school with extra resources not always afforded to state maintained schools.

Both state and independent schools in Edinburgh have open days which are set up to allow prospective parents to come and take a look around the school. See our 100 questions to ask when visiting schools on page 59.

It is very much a case of knowing your child and looking at specific schools in the state or independent sector to see where the added value is. From page 43 you can read a bit more about, each independent school and get a flavour of that schools ethos. See what aspect of the school they highlight or where they feel they are stronger than other schools.

Most parents want their child to enjoy school and hope he or she will look back at their school days with happy memories. It may be worth moving home or paying school fees. Once you have decided, my advice is to get behind the school, if your child knows you have a high regard for their school, they will too. ■

HOW CAN I JUDGE?Effective performance in education is complex and impossible to characterise using figures alone. Various criteria are published from which you can draw your own conclusions about the quality of a school and its suitability for your child. In the Guide’s comprehensive listings, you will find several criteria that we have brought together from various sources. However, statistics are only one aspect of a school’s performance and are not a reflection of its teaching abilities or contribution to a pupil’s whole learning experience. Alongside the formal data, personal experience counts for a lot. Ask your friends, colleagues, parents of children at the school, neighbours and people who live or work near the schools for their impressions of it. Investigate on the internet and in the local press. Don’t forget to check out the school’s own website or request an independent school’s prospectus.

Information on every school in Scotland - State and IndependentThe Education Scotland website has a wealth of information on all schools, primary, secondary, special schools and colleges. There is information on the curriculum and teaching as well as exam results, inspection reports and contact information for individual schools. www.educationscotland.gov.uk/parentzone/myschool/findaschool

School inspection reportsEducation Scotland, formerly HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE), inspects all nurseries, schools and colleges in Scotland. Its website has links to the inspection reports.www.educationscotland.gov.uk/inspectionandreview

Independent school exam resultsThe Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS) publishes a list of exam results from its member schools on its website. If you download the PDF labelled “table of exams results” you will find all the school results by year group: how many pupils are in a year group; how many took exams and the number they collectively took; then the number and percentage pass at each grade – it is very detailed. www.scis.org.uk/facts-and-statistics/exam-results

STATE OR INDEPENDENT? Many teachers who have worked in both sectors will say the quality of teachers in both sectors are much the same,

Approx Age English & Welsh Year Groups Scottish Year Groups English & Welsh Exams Scottish Exams

15/16 Year 11 S4 GCSE National 4 & 5s

16/17 Year 12 S5 AS Level Higher

17/18 Year 13 S6 A Level Advanced Higher

www.nurseryguideedinburgh.co.uk

Independent Schools

choices, costs applications

DECIDING TO PAY FOR EDUCATION IS A BIG STEP AND EACH INDEPENDENT SCHOOL IN SCOTLAND HAS UNIQUE SELLING POINTS. OUR GUIDE IS DESIGNED TO HELP YOU MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR YOUR CHILD.

O ne of the most attractive features of Edinburgh’s fee-paying schools is their diversity. Schools vary widely in size, age range, style and atmosphere.

Most have parents from a broad spectrum of backgrounds, with some parents making large financial sacrifices to pay the fees and others receiving financial assistance.

Independent schools have a long tradition of achievement, regularly recording glittering results across sport, music, drama and technology, as well as academically. Consequently it is often thought that they teach only highly academic children. However, very few are exclusively academically selective, with most catering for children of more average ability and some specialising in helping children in need of extra individual attention.

Selecting a school is a complex business and should be about more than exam results. The culture and atmosphere of a school is as important as the statistics. We will take you through the factors you need to weigh up when choosing a school that will meet your child’s needs. Our comprehensive schools’ listing can then be used to see which schools might meet your criteria.

COSTThere is no doubt that school fees are a significant commitment for families. Fees are usually quoted as an annual sum and in termly amounts (usually three terms a year) but most schools also offer parents the chance to pay by

monthly direct debit. Check whether the fee is “all inclusive” or whether a separate charge applies for items such as lunches and books, and what optional “extras” would add to the cost, eg individual music instruction, school expeditions and trips abroad. To widen access to independent education, schools now offer more means tested financial assisted places than scholarships on academic merit.

TYPE OF SCHOOL Make sure both you and your child know his/her strengths, weaknesses, hopes, talents, personality and academic history. Important to all independent schools is the development of each individual child’s potential. Participation in sport and co-curricular pursuits is actively encouraged. The term “co-curricular” is now used more than “extra-curricular” to show that these activities are integral to school life, woven into the curriculum and equally as important as academic learning. In many schools, clubs and societies thrive, some of them organised and run by pupils themselves. Music is also central to school life. Choirs, orchestras, ensembles and many different types of bands are on offer. The proportion of time spent on sports and physical activities in Scotland’s independent schools is high by any standards. Each school has its own unique blend of these activities that will suit different children in different ways. See pages 42-57 for the ‘School Profiles’ pages where the schools describe their ethos and character.

25EDUCATION

&


26 EDUCATION

ADDRESS BOOK:

Scottish Council of Independent Schoolswww.scis.org.ukEducation Scotlandwww.educationscotland.gov.uk

OTHER FACTORS THAT WILL INFLUENCE YOUR CHOICE OF SCHOOL INCLUDE:

Co-education or single-sex? You may feel that your child will do better in a school geared towards same-sex education or a senior school without the opposite sex to attract or distract your child. Or you may feel that, as life is co-educational, a school that prepares your child for this would be more appropriate. Most independent schools are now co-educational, but there are still some single-sex schools to consider.

Day pupil or boarder?If you are considering boarding, you need to decide whether you would like your child to be a full boarder or come home at the weekends. Ask the school about all their boarding options and make sure they offer what you are looking for. It is worth finding out how many of the students at the school are full boarders and how many are weekly boarders. By doing this, you can find out whether a large number of pupils or just a handful stay at the school during weekends. Increasingly schools also offer flexi-boarding. Children do not usually board before the age of seven or eight.

WHEN TO START Entry can usually be at any age, depending on the school’s capacity, but traditional entry points are the start of nursery, primary or senior education. Some parents like a child to join a school in the final year of primary, so that they are settled before moving up to the senior school. Each school has its own admission policy, entry requirements and procedures, these will be clearly described in the school’s prospectus and website.

Nursery school (age 2+) Entry at nursery level can be a great way of getting a feel for the school and it raises your chances of being offered a place in the primary class. But a word of warning: a nursery place is not an absolute guarantee that your child will be offered a place in the school.

Primary 1 (age 4+) Most schools have a large intake in the first year of primary, at age four or five. Usually your child is invited to the school in the early part of the year, where s/he will be subtly assessed in a play-based session. Prep School (age 7+) Ages seven-plus are the normal ages to start a preparatory school.

Primary 6 (9+) At this age most schools will invite a child to an interview and assessment and possibly entrance exams for those moving on to senior schools.

Senior 1 (age 11+) Are the optimum entry points, although most schools will try to consider applications at all stages to accommodate families moving into their area. Entry to senior

schools is usually by way of written exam, often combined with an interview, although schools may admit pupils from their junior departments without examination. S5/Sixth-form entry for pupils who have qualified for Highers and Advanced Highers or A-levels is mainly based on exam results, interview and previous school report.

SCHOOL VISITS Ideally you should visit a shortlist of schools. You can attend an open day or you can arrange a personal appointment to see the headmaster or admissions department. Meeting the head in a personal appointment will give you a sense of the school ethos, but you will need to go prepared with the day-to-day questions that are specific to your needs. You should also be able to get a feel for the school and be able to see it “in action” as you are taken round. Open days can be slightly surreal occasions, as the whole school will have spent much time trying to ensure that everything looks faultless for the guests. The advantage is that you will see more of the teachers and pupils, and be able to ask more questions and explore the school’s facilities uninterrupted in order to get a better feel for the place.

APPLYING FOR A PLACE Applications for entry are usually made in the autumn of the year prior to admission and many schools hold their open days during the autumn term. Most schools require a deposit that varies and can be from £20 to £100. This can add up if you apply to lots of schools, but you may want a back up in case you don’t get a place at your first choice school. The usual advice is that it is never too early to put your child on a waiting list if there is a definite school you want to apply for.

ENTRANCE TESTS Each independent school has its own admissions policy and entrance procedures so there are no hard and fast guidelines, but our research shows that entrance tests are rarely as bad for the children as they seem to adults and schools do a lot to make the process as painless as possible. These tests are ultimately designed to see if a child will benefit from the education that the individual school offers. After all, there is no point putting a square peg into a round hole. As each school is different you should ask what is likely to be involved and what you can do to help prepare your child. ■


BELHAVEN HILL

In 2015, Scotland’s independent schools gave £45 million in financial assistance

to widen access (SOURCE: SCIS 2015)

“

“

EDINBURGH ACADEMY

LORETTO SCHOOL THE COMPASS SCHOOL

ST GEORGES SCHOOL FOR GIRLS


EDUCATION

W hether boarding parents live in Edinburgh or the other side of the world, it is the

core benefits of a boarding education that have appealed to them and their children: opportunities to excel, pastoral excellence and a preparation for life.

OPPORTUNITY TO EXCEL“Students who are educated within a full boarding environment benefit immeasurably from having the time and space to flourish and develop the talents that they possess”. MCB Spens, Headmaster, Fettes College

With shared prep (homework) time, greater access to academic teachers and a positive environment of praise and encouragement,

pupils develop self-motivation and a determination to work hard, challenge themselves and work diligently to achieve their academic goals. As their peers share these goals a collective passion for learning and development is fostered.

It is not just academic excellence that is important; a boarding education is holistic in nature and seeks to develop the whole person. As boarding pupils live on campus, they have the time to fully embrace the incredible opportunities, facilities and expert tuition available to them. These opportunities can spark an interest in a subject never considered before, hidden talents are uncovered and existing skills developed to the highest level.

PASTORAL EXCELLENCEThe care and welfare of our pupils is fundamentally important to us as we know that only a happy, supported child will flourish. We want to ensure that pupils truly believe that their boarding house is their second home.

Each boarding house is a family, a network, a collaborative group of pupils and house staff looking after each other; helping, encouraging and simply being there when needed. This is where lifelong friendships are made, trust is fostered and loyalty forged. A strong partnership and regular communication with parents is of course very important. Learning to get on well with other people, whatever their background, is a vitally important life lesson and the diversity of our community encourages tolerance and mutual understanding.

“I look back on the sense of community and togetherness that the House system fostered in each of us, and appreciate how lucky we were to grow up in such a fun and thriving environment” Former Fettes Pupil

PREPARATION FOR LIFEMany skills and experiences useful for a future career will be nurtured at Fettes. Our focus is not simply on making students thrive with us but on equipping them fully for their life after school. Students are encouraged to develop their leadership skills, independence and maturity whilst also building their confidence and presentation skills.

All final year students live in our co-educational Upper Sixth boarding house; Craigleith. Craigleith is akin to university halls of residence with en-suite study bedrooms, a library, kitchen, laundry, resource centre and social areas. Students are encouraged to become more independent and self-reliant as they are allowed the freedom to take a greater degree of responsibility for themselves, their work and their social lives. Craigleith is extremely popular and so we see many day pupils converting to boarding in the Lower Sixth Form to ensure their place.

In conclusion, a boarding education

Why BOARD?BOARDING IN SCOTLAND IS THRIVING SO WHY ARE PARENTS

CHOOSING BOARDING ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO LIVE CLOSE TO THEIR CHILDREN’S SCHOOL? GEMMA GRAY, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & PR

AT FETTES COLLEGE EXPLAINS THE BENEFITS OF BOARDING…

BELHAVEN HILL


29EDUCATION

offers parents the very best start in life for their children where they have the space to develop, the caring, nurturing environment to support them and the development of skills that will benefit them through their lives. We like to sum it up in this way; A strong foundation for the future, a family for life. Gemma Gray, Fettes College.

PREPARATORY SCHOOL BOARDINGSchools such as Belhaven Hill in Belhaven offer full boarding from as young as 8 years old. The School Guide asked Mr Innes MacAskill, Headmaster of Belhaven Hill School, how do parents know if their child is ready to board at such a young age?

“With parents and boarding it is often a very natural progression, with many children now ‘bullying’ their parents to come. Often parents realise that their child needs greater stimulation than perhaps a local school can offer, that their children thirst for the extra contact with other children

out of class, or that they are ready to face a new challenge and spread their wings with the opportunities on offer. With day children it is a very natural development – they see for themselves the fun and games that boarders enjoy and want to be part of it. Whilst with children transferring from another school, we always ask them to come for a taster day and night, when they can experience for themselves what boarding is really about. I think they can then see that relationships with adults are very different, with none of the ‘them and us’ of days gone by, and an environment where people care and are interested in you as they understand this is your home for so much of the year.”

Mr Liam Harvey, Headmaster at

St. Mary’s School, Melrose said, “St. Mary’s is a day prep school with a flexi/weekly boarding option. Our children love the cosy friendly boarding environment where all team members count. The children experience a full range of activities which balance fun with responsiblity.”“I love boarding because it teaches you how to live independently and it is great fun.” James, St. Mary’s School pupil Aged 13. ■

FETTES


30 EDUCATION

The Edinburgh independent school scene is unique, offering a wide variety of types of school. As single sex schools, which offer both day and boarding,

Merchiston and St George’s are both thriving and firmly believe their distinctive method of education is working. In 2014, Merchiston achieved the top A Level results in Scotland; St George’s gained the best Advanced Higher results in Scotland in 2014.

Both schools believe that single sex education can cater for the very different needs of the two genders. Although these are broad generalisations, we find that males tend to be more hasty, impulsive and willing to take risks, even if they make mistakes, while females exercise more care; males tend to attribute success to their own efforts and failure to external factors, while females show the reverse tendency.

With these differences in mind, Merchiston and St George’s keep the genders separate in the classroom, where it matters most, meaning boys and girls have the confidence and self-assurance to flourish in lessons and on the sports field, free from gender stereotypes.

If you are considering a single sex school for your child, links with brother or sister schools are vital. Merchiston and St George’s have links for social, co-curricular and academic activities and these ensure girls and boys can develop their social skills and relationships. As both schools are based in the same city our young people can have regular informal contact. They can grow up together and integrate through a wide variety of activities at every age. We think that this arrangement offers the best of both worlds.

ANNE EVEREST, Head of St George’s says:“When it comes to academic results, girls’ schools regularly punch above their weight in national exams and dominate the top of the exam results league tables. St George’s was designed for girls and girls remain our focus: we do

not have to spend time worrying about getting it right for the boys! There are many spin-offs. Participation in sport across all fitness levels is impressively high at girls’ schools. Rather than stand back in practical lessons, girls have to get involved. They must carry out the experiments in the sciences and design mechanical systems in engineering clubs; they must take the lead in whatever subject they study.”

ANDREW HUNTER, Headmaster at Merchiston says:“Our mantra is Boys first because, in everything we do, we first ask ourselves the question What’s best for the boys? The boys respond to this approach and for the most part, in return, develop a real work ethic. This is all part of the Merchiston way of life and is a major component in our examination results. Our 2014 results maintained Merchiston’s exceptional performance at A Level over a significant number of years, and demonstrated that our boys, as a cohort, are amongst the highest achieving boys in Scotland. What happens here is that boys learn to like learning more, whilst simultaneously having the time of their lives on our co-curricular programme.” ■

educationSINGLE SEX

MERCHISTON

ST GEORGE’S


31FINANCE

0131 556 2316 [email protected] www.scis.org.uk

Thinking about an independent school?Scotland’s independent schools are as diverse as the children who attend and o�er a wide range of opportunities in vibrant learning environments.

For information and advice on applyingand meeting the cost, speak to The Scottish Council of Independent Schools

Registered Scottish Charity SCO18033

Choice | Diversity | Excellence

ALISON HERBERT, DEPUTY DIRECTOR AT THE SCOTTISH COUNCIL OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS, AN EDUCATIONAL CHARITY REPRESENTING AND PROMOTING SCOTTISH INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS.

Applying for Fee Assistance

‘Around 30,000 children of mixed abilities from diverse social backgrounds are educated at independent schools in Scotland, with around 20% of pupils receiving some financial assistance.’

WHAT IS AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL?Independent schools in Scotland are responsible for their own management, which allows them the freedom to let passionate teachers create educational experiences that meet the needs of the children and young people whom they teach.

You can choose from small or large day schools, boarding schools, co-educational, and single-sex schools. As a group, independent schools draw students from all sections of the community, and students who attend independent schools are as diverse as the schools themselves.

MEETING THE COSTYou understand the value of an independent school education, but you’re wondering whether or not you can afford it. Families use a variety of methods to pay for an independent school education. Some pay in one lump sum. Others spread costs over multiple months by direct debit. Some grandparents or other family members may also contribute to fees.

Schools are sensitive to the sacrifices that many parents make in order to afford school fees. All schools provide some level of fee assistance, usually awarded on the basis of financial need. This is done to enable children from lower income households, who otherwise would not have the opportunity of an independent education, to benefit, and schools welcome applications for fee assistance.

It is not just senior schools that offer assistance: some Junior Schools also offer support, although this is often limited to Primary 7 pupils.

APPLYING FOR FEE ASSISTANCEFinancial assistance is awarded on proven financial need and a thorough form of means-testing. Some children receive a free place, where 100% of the fees are met by the school, while others receive a smaller contribution, from 20% upwards.

You need to enquire about fee assistance about a year before you hope to enrol in the school. Schools will want to know about all your financial circumstances, not just your take-home pay so be prepared to fill in lengthy forms providing evidence of need. Each case will be looked at individually, and schools will take into account pensions,

investments, the value of your property, rent or mortgage paid as well as assets and liabilities.

Your child will also have to meet the school’s normal entry requirements. They do not have to be of the academic standard required to win a scholarship, but they may be assessed to ensure they have the ability to make solid academic progress.

Schools only have a finite amount of funding available and therefore not all applicants will be successful.

Most schools’ websites and admissions materials will offer a comprehensive guide to their financial assistance process.

‘In 2014-15 over 600 pupils received 100% means-tested financial assistance.’

VISITINGAll schools encourage visits from prospective families during their Open Day or at any time during the school year. Staff will be delighted to answer any questions that you may have. ■


32 FINANCE

Most independent schools require children to wear a uniform. These may also include a specified coat, bag and a uniform change from summer to winter. A few schools also require extra items such as kilts or a change of blazer in sixth form or for prefects.

EXAMPLE COST: £150 per year (assuming you get a couple of years out of a blazer and other items)COST SAVING IDEAS: You can really save money if your school has a second hand uniform shop. A blazer or coat that may be £100 new, second had could cost just £40.

This is where costs can rack up depending on how sporty your child is. Nearly all schools will require a PE kit plus a home and away games kit. Seasonal changes from rugby to cricket or hockey to athletics and tracksuits can also add up. Top of the range mouth guards, cricket bats, trainers, scrum caps or snazzy football boots will not be insisted upon by the school (just your child).

EXAMPLE COST: £150 per yearCOST SAVING IDEAS: Here you can save a fortune going to the school second-hand shop. Also these items need labelling to save buying replacements. Keep the washing machine going - so one PE kit and one games kit (home and away) should do. Sports scholarships may be available that give a small % off school fees.

Text books, if not included, will vary each year with the first year at senior school often being the most expensive. Revision guides may also be on the text book list. A personal computer, such as an iPad, can be regarded as an essential learning tool and some schools expect pupils to buy their own or buy the school supplied one.

EXAMPLE COST: £100 - £200 per year for text books, jotters, stationary. £500 - £700 for ipads including insurance.COST SAVING IDEAS: Text books usually only apply to senior schools pupils. Most primary school fees include these items. Text books are very hard to avoid, although most schools will give you the chance to buy second hand editions or try buying second hand copies on-line. Keep your child supplied with stationery to avoid last minute purchases.

Lunch may be included or added to the fees. Some schools have a swipe card system that bills you for just what your child eats. Other schools do not provide lunch and pupils bring a packed lunch. Breakfast if offered will be extra at a day school.

EXAMPLE COST: Lunch £75 per month.COST SAVING IDEAS: Most boarding schools fees include breakfast, lunch and supper even for day pupils, so by dropping your child early and picking them up later means you’ll get your money’s worth on food!

Schools that sit Scottish exams do not tend to charge for Nationals, Highers or Advanced Highers. Schools that offer a mix including GCSEs or A Levels often charge accordingly.

EXAMPLE COST: SQA - Nat 4 & 5, Higher and Adv Higher = £37.50 per exam. GCSE vary at around £35. A levels £90 - £120 each.COST SAVING IDEAS: Pass first time !! If you request a paper to be re-marked, this could cost around £35 a paper also re-takes will be an additional cost too.

Almost all school trips are optional. If a whole class or year group are going on a trip it may be hard to opt out, also your child may need to stay at home during this period. Some

E very Independent School is different and even within a school each parent’s extra’s bill will vary depending on their child’s activities. Some schools say their fees are all-inclusive but even boarding schools will charge for individual music lessons and boarding pupils can rack up extra charges from newspapers to insurance premiums. Boarding

schools will supply a comprehensive list of extras boarding pupils can expect.Extra costs are not necessarily optional. We have tried to list these additional costs in order of most applicable to all.

EXTRASWHAT COSTS EXIST ON TOP OF FEES?

£ £

School Uniform

Sports Uniform

Text books, stationary, ipads

Meals

Public Exams

School Trips

33FINANCE

schools add the trip to the terms fees to spread out the cost or stage payments.

EXAMPLE COST: How long is a piece of string. A trip to the museum £3 or China £3,000. COST SAVING IDEAS: Exciting trips sound appealing but they can add up. So it is up to you as a family to set limits - a history trip may take priority over a ski trip. Schools often encourage children to do their own fund raising towards trips such as sports tours abroad or DofE overseas excursions.

After-school clubs are often included. Usually teacher led clubs are free but clubs with external teachers or expensive equipment will be extra.

EXAMPLE COST: Free - or £60 per term for something like Judo.COST SAVING IDEAS: As these are optional you can just choose the free ones.

Most schools offer optional individual musical instrument tuition during the school day. Instruments can be expensive. External examinations can be taken through school but will be an additional cost. A School Pipe Band or choir could be entered into competitions that may require parents to pay for travel or accommodation.

EXAMPLE COST: Lessons £30 per hour. Exams could cost around £37 for Grade 1 to £86 for Grade 8COST SAVING IDEAS: Learning an instrument is optional and can be costly, but singing in the school choir will be free. Schools will usually have an orchestra which meets after school or at a lunch time and these sessions are free, along with an end of term concert. Musical instruments may be available to hire from school. Musical scholarships may be available that pay for tuition.

Art and DT supplies may be a minimal charge in the lower years and slightly more at a higher level. Drama & Theatre Studies may charge for external examinations such LAMDA and involve outings to the theatre that are likely to be extra.

EXAMPLE COST: Art & DT supplies £5 - £75 per term. LAMDA exams: Grade1 £35 - Grade 8 £75-£132.COST SAVING IDEAS: If your child is interested in these subjects cost should be minimal if they that use school supplied materials. Art scholarships may be available that give a small % off school fees.

Support for learning is usually included. Extra costs may be incurred for an assessment by an external educational psychologist. English as a second language may be extra if it’s taught by peripatetic staff.

EXAMPLE COST: English ESOL tuition. £700 per termCOST SAVING IDEAS: Make sure you fully understand the provision available for your child’s needs.

Day Primary and Junior schools will provide wrap around care, breakfast clubs and after school clubs which will be an additional cost. These may run during school holidays and provide compete daycare for working parents.

EXAMPLE COST: Breakfast Club £50 per term. Care from 3.30pm - 6pm at £10 per session. Holiday Care £30 per day.COST SAVING IDEAS: If you need full time wrap around care, it may be worth comparing the cost with boarding schools day fees as these include all meals breakfast, lunch, supper and a long day included in the fees. Although boarding schools also have longer holidays worth which maybe remembering for working parents.

Many day schools run coaches to bring children to school from all over the Lothians. It may be more expensive than public transport but they often pick up from more convenient locations and a preferable option for parents of young children.

EXAMPLE COST: Free - £4.50 per trip, depending on distance.COST SAVING IDEAS: Check the coach route, it may be worth driving to a different pick up point to reduce the weekly cost. When your child is old enough for independent travel, you may find the train or local bus cheaper.

Extra-Curricular Clubs

Music Lessons

Senior School Drama, Art or DT

School Bus

Support for learning

Before and After School Care & Holiday Clubs

ILLU

STRA

TIO

NS ©

FRE

EPIK

.CO

M


34 Advertising FEATURE

JENY BEARDSLEY IS A PARTNER WITH ST. JAMES’S PLACE WEALTH MANAGEMENT. SHE HAS 17 YEARS EXPERIENCE AS A FINANCIAL ADVISER AND SPECIALISES IN SCHOOL FEE PLANNING.

Funding for school fees is one of the biggest financial commitments a family can make

As a result, it can be a source of considerable concern for some parents. Yet, even though the cost to send a child to an independent school has risen, a recent

census has shown that pupil numbers now stand at their highest level since records began.

Parents therefore continue to recognise the value that independent schools can offer. Providing a good education can be one of the most valuable gifts families can give to children, but it isn’t getting any cheaper. Private school fees have increased by 3.6% in the last year (ISC census 2015). Latest figures from The Independent Schools Council show that the average fee at an Independent school was £4765 per term.

While the financial implications can be daunting, the key to affording school fees is to plan as early as you can. Saving soon after a child is born gives a good 10 years to build up a fund for when they go to secondary school. For example, you could consider using your annual tax-free ISA allowances. By investing the maximum permitted into an ISA, and investing in funds run by professional investment managers, a considerable sum could be accumulated in the space of 10 years.

Generally, parents looking to fund school fees, fall into 3 categories- those who wish to invest a lump sum, those who wish to spread the cost of fees, or parents wishing to set up a regular savings scheme to provide funds for future school fees. There are several schemes available to help make paying school fees more affordable and this is where I can help and offer advice. I can draw up a bespoke School Fee plan that can be both tax efficient and flexible.

For Grandparents wishing to help, *trust planning can be a useful tool if they wish to make provision for school fees and achieve Inheritance tax benefits at the same

time. For example, if Grandparents were able to make regular payments from their income, then those gifts are not counted as part of their estate for inheritance tax purposes. Given that many family homes in Edinburgh are now valued at such a level that they push many families into Inheritance tax paying territory, this can serve two purposes. Another option is to gift a lump sum for their grandchildren’s education and provided they survive for a further 7 years, the gift is also free of IHT. Grandparents may also wish to consider other solutions, such as life assurance, to help increase the funds available for grandchildren, this can be especially useful if there is more than one child to educate.

Another major concern that parents come to me with is making sure that if their children start the journey into private education, that they can finish it. Many parents worry what would happen if their financial circumstances were to change. There are many solutions to this including protecting school fees against death, illness or incapacity.

Whilst interest rates are still at an all time low, this can mean borrowing on your property to pay school fees still works for many, however these low interest rates also make it so important to make your investments work as hard for you as possible. This is again an area that I can offer professional advice on.

It is more important than ever to be fully aware of all the solutions available so that you can make the best choice for your family. Please get in touch to discuss your school fee planning concerns and opportunities or to book a free, no obligation school fees review. ■

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested. An investment in equities will not provide the security of capital associated with a deposit account with a Bank or Building Society. The favourable tax treatment given to ISAs

may not be maintained in the future as they are subject to changes in legislation. * Trusts are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The Partner represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising

solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the title ‘Partner/Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

£4,765 Average Termly Fee“

“

© C

AIM

ACAN

UL

Are you investing in your children’s future?

veryone wants the best for their children and none of us know what the future holds. I believe that with a little forward planning it is possible to give your children the best future and the best education. You might be looking at:

• A tax efficient way of building up savings for future school fees• Spreading the cost of current school fees• Protecting the school fees in the event of your death, illness or incapacity

Whatever your situation, I can help you plan for your children’s future by providing you with a range of financial solutions to help you invest on behalf of your loved ones.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested.

For further information, or to request your complimentary guide to school fees planning, contact:

E

Call

07974 819142

for your complimentary

guide to school fees planning.

JENY BEARDSLEYAssociate Partner

Tel: 07974 819142 Email: [email protected]: www.jenybeardsley.co.uk

The Partner represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products.

The title ‘Partner’ is the marketing term used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

PARTNERS IN MANAGING YOUR WEALTH

Investment andWealth ManagementAwards 2014


36 TESTS

Nikki : Is tutoring for entrance exams something you would only suggest for pupils who are perhaps struggling at school?George : Not necessarily. We see large numbers of very able youngsters who are already achieving well, but whose parents feel that their children’s potential may not be being realised or that they could be extended further. Also, many youngsters are perfectly able but lack self-confidence.

Nikki : So, if a youngster is clever and doing well at school, why do they need to prepare for the independent school test?George : The level of work, the expectations and the pace required differs, often markedly, from a state school to an independent school. Competition for places in the leading private schools can be quite fierce, and by doing some preparation, youngsters are not only giving themselves a better chance but also developing a rigour and academic discipline which they will need for the independent sector.

Nikki : When is it best to start the preparing?George : There is no time like the present! Many parents leave it too late and live to regret not having put a programme in place earlier. It is less stressful to have a gradual and phased build-up. Ultimately some parents choose to have on-going tutoring – even home schooling – rather than both the expense and pressure of entering the private sector.

Nikki : Why should parents come to STEP AHEAD?George : Having been fortunate to work with and relate to many wonderful youngsters for the past fifty years, I lead a dedicated and experienced team of tutors who specialise in this kind of work. Over 350 children have gained places in the leading independent schools in Scotland, as well as schools such as Eton College and Cheltenham Ladies College in England, and in international schools in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Several of our tutees have earned Scholarships, whether academic or general, and many have gone on to be highly successful in their schools, earning awards and outstanding exam results.

We take the utmost care to ensure that not only do we provide a highly knowledgeable tutor but we assess each individual and take in to consideration the tutee’s needs, interests and personality before selecting the ideal tutor who subsequently inculcates the appropriate standards and rigour.

Nikki : What should parents do NOW?George : Read our web-site www.stepaheadtuition.com which reflects us and which carries many testimonials. Then feel free to pick up the phone and call me for a no obligation chat so that we can discuss their child’s needs. ■

How to prepare for SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMS

DECEMBER AND JANUARY IS WHEN MOST INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INVITE STUDENTS TO SIT AN ENTRANCE EXAM. GEORGE HAWKINS, THE DIRECTOR OF STEP AHEAD TUTORING AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, TELLS PARENTS HOW THEY CAN BEST SUPPORT THEIR CHILD’S PREPARATION

ILLU

STRA

TIO

NS ©

FRE

EPIK

.CO

M


37TESTS

The assessment for entrance into Primary One is informal and the atmosphere is designed to put your child at ease. The best you can do for your child is to make the event an adventure with as little stress and pressure as possible, this way the school will see your child at their best.

However it is good to help your child know what to expect. Here are a few things you can practise with your child which are often the sort of activities assessed.

Count to ten and know common colours and shapes1. Play games using letters, numbers and colours. e.g.

“I spy with my little eye three things that are red and starts with the letter B”. Incorporate counting and shape spotting into every day activities such: as how many apples are in the bowl? What shape is that road sign ?

Describe objects 2. You think of an object and ask your child to guess what it

is by asking you questions, “Is it food?” “Is it an animal?” “Does it have four legs?” “Is it a dog?”

Tell stories about experiences and events using sentences 3. Encourage your child to tell a story from beginning to

end. Ask questions about the details of their day. The order sequence of events is important.

Hold a crayon or pencil correctly, draw lines, simple shapes and a few letters4. Help your child practise with pencils, crayons, and chalk.

Activities like colouring, drawing, dot to dot, mazes, as well as tracing and copying letters, shapes and numbers.

Draw a person or a house5. Ask your child to draw a person or a house, it is

important that they learn to put in details such as eyes, hair, windows and chimney.

Building blocks and jigsaws6. Play games that encourage building imaginative or

specific shapes and objects. Also doing simple puzzles, such as those portraying a sequence of events and ask your child to describe what’s happening.

What to expectMost independent schools require candidates for admission to take an admission test. Essentially what the schools are trying to determine is how prepared your child is for the academic work they want your child to be able to do. Schools will invite applicants to attend an assessment morning where pupils will have a one on one interview and or group assessment.

The main entry points for most families will be at Primary 1 and Senior 1, obviously the type of assessments will be very different for these age groups and each school has its own admission policy and entrance procedures.

Independent School

Admission TestsPRIMARY 1 (4 - 5yrs)

ILLU

STRA

TIO

NS ©

FRE

EPIK

.CO

M


38 TESTS

Entrance into independent senior schools is usually by way of a written examination, often combined with an interview. Here are some examples – provided by George Hawkins, the Director of Step Ahead Tuition – of the kind of questions which many of the independent schools use for their entrance tests

Each independent school has its own admission policy and entrance procedures, some schools use national standard tests, while other have developed their own. The exam is often made up of English, Maths and one that tests reasoning. It is often a good idea to let you child know what to expect.

ENGLISH

Insert suitable words into the spaces:Camels can travel ____FOR_________ many days with little food or ____WATER________ . A camel’s hump does not store water, as many people ___THINK_______________. It is a food store and only contains fat. THEY____________ lose very little of their body water as they do not sweat.Some schools include a spelling test where words are read out and become progressively harder. Read the following passage and answer the questions in sentences:“Peter had not yet got used to the fact that he was no longer a boy, with a home and a family, but a white cat with no home at all and no-one to befriend him but another scrawny stray.

He hurried past Jennie and would have rushed out into the street had not the alarm in her warning cry checked him just before he emerged from the opening. “1. Was Peter, the boy turned into a white cat, fat or

thin? THIN2.Whatarethetwowordsinthefirstparagraphwhich

tell you? SCRAWNY STRAY3. Which of these words – cheerful / ambitious /

hasty / important – would best describe Peter before Jennie warned him not to rush out ?

ESSAYSTitles tend to be based on personal experience or creative writing.Choose one title and write about it.• Lost in the jungle.• Going to a talent show.• A haunted castle.• My favourite place.• The good and bad things about where I live.• I got your number.• Write a letter objecting to a local cinema closure.• Continue the story : The rain was lashing in their faces as

they stood on the cliff face.....

VERBAL REASONING

1. Write the following words in the correct groups: MONEY TOOLS CROCKERY: hammer plate dollar saw teapot pound

cent cup spanner 2. Underline the two words which are the odd ones

out in the following groups of words (black, king, purple, green, house) 3. Find the three letter word which can be added to

the letters in capitals to make a new word. The new word will complete the sentence sensibly. Write the three letter word.

The cat sprang onto the MO (USE) 4. Find the letter which will complete both pairs

ofwords,endingthefirstwordandstartingthesecond. The same letter must be used for both pairs of words.

mea (t) able fi (t) ub

5. Rearrange the muddled letters in capitals to make a proper word. The answer will complete the sentence sensibly

A BEZAR is an animal with stripes. ZEBRA

SECONDARY (11 - 12yrs)

ERSKINE STEWART MELVILLE SCHOOLS


39TESTS

6.Changethefirstwordintothelastwordby

changing one letter at a time and making a new, differentwordinthemiddle

LAND __LEND_____ LEAD SEND ___SAND_____ SANG 7. Find a word that can be put in front of each of the

following words to make new compound words shell cup timer beater EGG way car bike boat MOTOR MATHSThe math paper will include a selection of mental, mechanical and problem solving questions.

1. 250 x 8 = 2,000

2. Which fraction is not equivalent to ¼ ? 2/8 10/40 4/8 5/20

3. The area of a square is 64 sqm.

What is the length of each side? 8m

4. Change 1.6kg to g . 16g 160g 1600g 16,000g

5. What is the mean value of these numbers? 10 15 20 55 (25)

6. Population of a town is 12,840. 1/10 of population is

aged 5 and under. How many people are more than 5 years old? 11,556 11,656 11,566 11,856

7. What is the size of the missing angle in a right

angled triangle, with one angle 50 degrees ? 30 degrees 40 degrees 50 degrees 90 degrees

8. In Moscow the temperature at midday is 8 degrees C ; at midnight it is -3 degrees C

How much does the temperature change ? 11 degrees C

9. A house is sold for £400,000. The estate agent is paid 3% of the £400,000. How much does the agent receive ?

£12,000 £24,000 £36,000 £48,000 10. Calculate (72.16 divided by 8) + (45.34-37.63) = 16.73

ADDRESS BOOK:

George would be pleased to advise parents should they wish to call him. Edinburgh/Lothians : 07967024726 and 07940559135Fife : 01383 624599 www.stepaheadtuition.com

MERCHISTON

Newbridge, Edinburgh EH28 8LQ • Tel: 0131 333 1359 • [email protected]

www.cliftonhall.org.uk

If you can dream it, you can do it...

Clifton Hall School - where everyone counts

CHS_Schools_Guide_2012_aw2:Layout 1 11/5/12 10:06 Page 1


42 PROFILES

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL NAME AGES TYPE PROFILE

PAGESCHOOLS with all or mainly day pupils

Cargilfield 3yrs - 13yrs Coeducational Junior and Preparatory School with Boarding and Nursery

45

Clifton Hall School 3yrs - 18yrs All Through Coeducational School with Nursery 40 - 41

The Compass School 4yrs - 12yrs Coeducational, School with Nursery 46The Edinburgh Academy 2.5yrs - 18yrs All Through Coeducational School with Nursery 47

ESMS Schools 3yrs - 18yrs Coeducational Junior School, Boys Senior School and Girls Senior School, with Coeducational Sixth form, Boarding and Nursery 50

George Heriot’s School 4yrs - 18yrs All Through Coeducational School with Nursery 52

George Watson’s College 3yrs -18yrs All Through Coeducational School with Nursery 53

St George’s School for Girls 18mths - 18yrs All Through Girls` School with Boarding and Nursery 56

SCHOOLS with all or mainly boarding pupilsBelhaven Hill 7yrs - 13yrs Junior and Preparatory School with Boarding 44

Fettes College 7yrs -18yrsCoeducational Junior, Preparatory and Senior School with Boarding 51

Loretto School 3yrs - 18yrs All Through Coeducational Nursery, Junior, Preparatory and Senior School with Boarding

54

Merchiston Castle School 7yrs -18yrs All Through School, Boys` School, School with Boarding 55

SCHOOLS who SpecialiseBasil Paterson Middle School 14yrs - 16yrs Coeducational School 43

Edinburgh Montessori Arts School 1yr - 12yrs Coeducational School with Nursery 48

Edinburgh Steiner School 3yrs - 18yrs All Through School with Nursery 49

Nunnykirk School for Dyslexia 9yrs - 18yrs Coeducational School with boarding 57

Index of SCHOOL PROFILES


43PROFILES

Tutorial College ● National 5s, Highers,

Advanced Highers and A-Levels for 17+ years

● Individual/ Flexible Tuition ● Max. 6 students per class ● Exam centre for external

candidates ● Popular Easter Revision

Courses

Middle School

For more information on the Middle School call 0131 225 6070

or email [email protected]

For more information on the Tutorial College call 0131 225 6070

or email [email protected]

Basil Paterson School and College offer a bespoke education in the heart of the city centre. We have been helping people achieve their potential since 1929 and feel we have perfected the recipe for success.

● IGCSE and GCSEs for

14 - 16 years (S3/S4) ● Rigorous modern

curriculum ● Personalised teaching ● Max. class size of 12 ● Focus on support for

learning and pastoral

care

Basil Paterson Middle school is a small, independent school for boys and girls aged between 14-16. We provide a rigorous academic curriculum with a strong focus on examination success and are committed to the development of our pupils both as learners and as individuals.

Central to our educational ethos is the belief that the more time your child spends with their teacher, the better they will achieve. We are committed to providing small class sizes across our year groups.

By offering learners such a personalised programme which has flexibility and choice embedded into it, we enable our pupils to overcome the barriers and challenges they may have faced in their learning careers to date.

We have a strong pastoral care and support for learning function which is delivered by the senior management team as well as by the teachers themselves. As a small community we all play a role in guiding our learners through their education and put their well being at the forefront of everything we do.

We pride ourselves in creating an inclusive and respectful environment which is open to all. We strive for our learners to leave us as positive, well-rounded, confident young people, ready to make the next step forward in their lives.

With the focus being purely on I/GCSE qualifications, pupils will be equipped with real choices and grounding for

senior education. I/GCSEs give pupils the option of going on to study SQA Highers, A-Levels or even moving on to the International Baccalaureate (IB).

We offer financial assistance in the form of means tested bursaries.

For more information or to arrange a visit please contact the school:T: 0131 225 6070 E: [email protected]

Basil Paterson Middle School


44 PROFILES

The children shout ‘great fun’.

The parents say ‘well-taught’, ‘well-mannered’, ‘ready’.

How does this happen?

Not by magic, but by being determinedly of a size that allows daily attention to be paid to manners, until they become a habit – and that allows excellence to become a skill transferable from one endeavour to another.

Is this thanks to our heritage?

Yes, it is.

There is nothing old-fashioned about traditional values – now, more than ever.

This is why Heads at renowned senior schools say they can recognise our children instantly – a ‘Belhaven DNA’ comprising both innocence and polish.

And, perhaps, this is why we have the record we do in getting our pupils into just such schools.

Be Ready.

Be Belhaven… the best conduit to the best senior schools.

“My wife, Sandy, and I welcome you warmly to Belhaven Hill and invite you to discover for yourself what makes it such a magical place,” says Innes MacAskill, Belhaven Hill’s Headmaster. T: +44 (0)1368 862785www.belhavenhill.com

Belhaven Hill School

Be Happy!Be Belhaven.

All parents who come to Belhaven are struck by the overwhelming happiness of the place; an atmosphere that tells of genuinely enthusiastic boys and girls, absolutely at ease in their own skin.

For our children, education after Belhaven will probably never be as much fun again.

Please come and find out for yourself – do call or email us, we’ll be delighted to hear from you.

A Charitable Company Limitedby Guarantee No: SCO07118

Belhaven Road, Dunbar, East Lothian EH42 1NN, [email protected] +44 (0)1368 862785

www.belhavenhill.com


45PROFILES

Cargilfield is the oldest independent boarding and day prep school in Scotland, for more than 300 boys and girls, aged 3-13 years. Each child has an extensive range of opportunities to learn, explore and discover before they leave Cargilfield to join leading senior schools across the UK. Children leave with confident, lively minds, secure values and a sense of identity and community spirit that serves them well for their future lives. We achieve this by delivering a broad and challenging education in a supportive and caring family- led environment.

A small prep school means that your child feels secure and valued within the community. We get to know our pupils

well so that we can guide them towards a senior school that will best suit their needs and reflect your priorities for their education. This year we will send pupils to fifteen different senior schools across Edinburgh, Scotland and the UK with over twenty scholarships earned for academic, sporting, creative and all-round excellence

Small classes, good teaching and high expectations mean that we can achieve high standards for a range of abilities. In addition, a broad curriculum, both inside and outside the classroom, will develop your child’s all-round abilities. We play sport every day from age 8 onwards and offer regular opportunities for music, art, design and drama. This is supported by over 50 different clubs, looking to inspire new talents and a wide range of interests. Try fly-tying or snowboarding, highland dance or computer coding.

As your child grows through the school, there are opportunities to challenge and stretch them further with opportunities to join evening activities, to board on a weekly or flexible basis or to join us on weekend camps or school-based activity weekends.

To find out more about Cargilfield, please visit our website at www.cargilfield.com, call 0131 336 2207 or email [email protected] to arrange a visit.

Cargilfield


46 PROFILES

West Road, Haddington EH41 3RD 01620 822642 [email protected]

www.thecompassschool.co.uk Places in most year groups & financial assistance available

Registered as a charity in Scotland SC020370

Over 50 Years of Excellence in East Lothian

Where Children Flourish!

The Compass School remains East Lothian’s only independent primary school providing quality education for boys and girls from pre-school to Primary Seven.

Children attending the School enjoy its friendly and caring environment in which they can feel secure and happy and in which they are encouraged to succeed, developing confidence, skills and ability. Its small class sizes allow each child to enjoy a very high level of individual attention.

The School was recently awarded ‘Excellent’ in every aspect of its provision by the Care Inspectorate, reflecting the quality and high standards of care and nurturing its children enjoy.

Situated within a Victorian villa, the School has very modern and well-resourced facilities. A recent £80,000 investment in IT equipment has provided children with the best of resources at their fingertips.

The School offers a comprehensive and wide-ranging curriculum, with French and swimming being taught from the age of four. There is a strong emphasis on developing sound skills in English language and mathematics. Science, history, geography and Spanish are taught as specialist subjects from Primary Five upwards. The School has an excellent track record in preparing children for entrance assessments into secondary education.

As well as enjoying the challenges of academic subjects, children also enjoy opportunities for music, drama, art and a wide range of sports, regularly achieving excellent results at local and national level. The School also offers a wide-ranging outdoor education programme with annual visits to the Scottish highlands, outward bound centres in Perthshire and Peebleshire, and expeditions to York, London and Paris. Extra-curricular activities are also an important feature of school life.

The School provides before and after-school care; from 7.45am in the morning until 6pm in the evening. Financially-assisted places are offered for children throughout the School at every stage and further information is available from the School Office.

The Compass School

For further details or to arrange a visit, call 01620 822642 or email [email protected]


47PROFILES

The Edinburgh Academy has a proud history and an outward vision. Founded in 1824, we pride ourselves on carrying forward strong traditions whilst constantly striving to innovate.

Fully co-educational from Nursery through to Senior School, we believe in excellence in education and that every child deserves to develop their unique talents. Our size and high-staff ratios allow us to tailor educational and pastoral care to best cater for the needs and ambitions of each individual pupil.

In addition to achieving academic excellence, the Edinburgh Academy recognises that learning also takes place outside of the formal curriculum and our pupils enjoy a full programme of co-curricular activities to ensure a well-rounded education. All have the opportunity to develop a wide range of interests in sport, outdoor education, music, drama and the creative arts. Horizons are further broadened by cultural and sporting expeditions to a variety of destinations across the globe.

We take pride in the fact that many Academicals (former EA pupils) look back on their time with us as the first crucial step on the ladder of success. The Academy supports each child in their preferred educational path, and provides flexible, personalised teaching to help them reach their goals. Pupils will progress through the Curriculum for Excellence framework at the Junior School, to then take exams in a wide

range of subjects at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher in their senior years.

We offer flexible care between 8am and 6pm for children aged 2 to 11 years and out with term time our Holiday Clubs offer a safe caring environment for children with lots of fun activities. To ensure open access to the benefits of an Academy education, we offer financial support through our Bursary scheme and provide Scholarships to reward and encourage academic excellence and talent in art, sport and music.

We would be delighted to welcome you and your family to the Academy, either to Open Day or for an individual visit. Contact 0131 624 4987 or [email protected] for more information.

The Edinburgh Academy

The Edinburgh Academy is a registered charity, No.SC016999

0131 624 4987admissions@edinburghacademy.org.ukwww.edinburghacademy.org.uk

Our coeducational day school (for ages 2–18) is committed to academic excellence and richly diverse extracurricular activities that create individuals who are grounded in Scotland and ready for the world.

Please contact us for a prospectus or to arrange a school visit.

Grounded in Scotland, Ready for the World


48 PROFILES

“Our aim is not merely to make children understand, but so to touch their imaginations as to enthuse them to their innermost core.” Maria Montessori.

At Edinburgh Montessori Arts School we are passionate about our personalised and progressive educational approach. Our small school is an ideal learning sanctuary with the benefits of both city and countryside on our doorstep.

Providing educational care, our teachers support each phase of development by recognising when a child has mastered his/her surroundings and is ready for new challenges. Children move through each developmental phase at their own pace as valued members of our close-knit school community.

Our drama and music specialists and artist-in-residence inspire a plethora of stimulating creative activities in addition to the generous opportunities provided by the Montessori classroom environments.

Our children enjoy daily time outdoors bringing them in close contact with their natural surroundings. Our “Discovery Garden” has grown in collaboration with the children, teachers and parents to

provide inspiring spaces for work, play and mindfulness.

Out in the paddocks the children spend time in open-ended exploration and environmental projects.

For children from one year onwards our Infant Community is a home from home, in which they discover and learn in the most calm, supportive surroundings.

From three years old children move to ‘Children’s House’, our nursery class, where all aspects of their development are given time and encouragement, helping to nurture a lifelong love of learning.

For children from six, our Elementary classroom is the base from which they explore the world, linking their studies with real-life experiences. With its roots in science, knowledge and understanding the Montessori curriculum provides the springboard for the children’s emergent interests; a complete Montessori education, complemented by their work with our creative arts specialists. Our pupils’ academic achievements are underpinned by strong intrinsic motivation and a desire to be their “best self”.

For more information or to arrange a visit please contact the school office: Tel: 0131 672 3851Email: [email protected], www.emaschool.co.uk

Edinburgh Montessori Arts School

EDINBURGH MONTESSORI ARTS SCHOOLformerly MORNINGSIDE MONTESSORI NURSERY


49PROFILES

Individual AttentionWe offer places to just 300 children aged 31⁄2 to 18 years. Our small classes, modern language teaching from age 6 and outstanding pastoral care ensure pupils learn in a supportive environment that enables them to achieve their individual goals. We operate an all year round admissions policy and are experienced when it comes to settling in new pupils at any age and stage.

We carefully structure academic support for new pupils to enable them to reach the same level as their peer group. This is particularly important for pupils who join midway through the school and for those who have not had the opportunity to study a Modern Language previously.

Main LessonsWe are the only school in Edinburgh to offer Main Lessons – topic blocks that are continuously studied for up to two hours per day over four weeks. These are carefully constructed to provide a balance between Humanities, Sciences and Crafts. During a Main Lesson on Ancient Greece, for example, our Class 5 pupils (aged 10 – 11 years) join with children from Steiner schools across the UK to participate in the ‘Steiner Olympics’ - a re-creation of a traditional Olympic Games.

As well as covering core subjects like Mathematics, Science and History, we broaden our pupils’ horizons with

lessons ranging from Farming and Astronomy to Philosophy and Mechanics. This ensures that, irrespective of later exam choices, our pupils receive a diverse knowledge of the world around them.

Exam Years and BeyondThe school welcomes pupils of all abilities and each child is encouraged to achieve their full potential by taking a combination of nationally recognised exams. A mixture of GCSEs, National Courses, Highers and Advanced Highers (Art) are offered and our results far exceed the national average with an A-C Higher pass rate of 2013 (89% A-C) and 2014 (85% A-C). Our former pupils excel in a wide range of careers from doctors, lawyers and business professionals to artists, academics and entrepreneurs.

www.edinburghsteinerschool.org.uk [email protected]

Edinburgh Steiner School


50 PROFILES

The Mary Erskine School

Stewart’s Melville College

The Junior SchoolMerchant Company Education Board Schools. Registered Charity No. SC009747

MAKE YOUR FAMILY PART OF OURS

0131 311 1111 [email protected] www.esms.org.uk

Like any family, values lie at the heart of who we are. We help our boys and girls, aged from three to eighteen, to believe in the values and to learn to live up to them in all that they do both as children and throughout their adult lives.

The Sunday Times, Scottish Independent Secondary School of the Year Stewart’s Melville College - 2013 The Mary Erskine School - 2012

Recent research has highlighted the advantages of single-sex secondary education, including strong academic results, less gender stereotyping and the development of greater self-confidence. At Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools, we offer a unique structure allowing for all of these gains but we also provide the social benefits of co-education.

ESMS is a family of schools in Edinburgh for boys and girls aged 3 -18. At our Nursery and Junior School, girls and boys learn and develop together in a co-educational environment. They are also taught strong core values, endowing them with confidence and respect for themselves and others.

At senior school, the girls attend The Mary Erskine School and the boys Stewart’s Melville College. We understand boys and girls learn differently at this age, and tailor their teaching accordingly. Taught separately, our girls and boys have more freedom to be themselves and achieve their potential.

Throughout senior school, girls and boys enjoy many activities together - from music and drama to outdoor education and school trips. They are also part of a co-educational guidance structure through membership of the shared house system. The final year, Sixth Form, is

co-educational, preparing pupils for the transition to adult life and university.

Pupils benefit from our unique system in many ways – from earning excellent exam results to having the space to develop as confident individuals. This is reflected in the regular accolades our schools receive: The Mary Erskine School was voted Scottish Independent School of the Year 2012 by the Sunday Times and Stewart’s Melville College won this award in 2013. The Mary Erskine School was also top of The Sunday Times league tables for examination results in Scottish Independent Schools, 2014.

Outside school hours, we offer extended childcare options, including early drop-off, after-school club, and full-time holiday club. We run daily coach services across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Borders. For families who live further afield, we have two boarding houses for girls and boys.

Erskine Stewart’s Melville SchoolsA UNIQUE FAMILY OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS

You are welcome to visit us at any time throughout the year. For further information please contact the Admissions Secretary, Tel: 0131 311 [email protected] www.esms.org.uk


51PROFILES

Why Fettes?Fettes College has over 5,000 Old Fettesians who remain in touch with us for one very compelling reason: being educated at Fettes was one of the most important and beneficial aspects of their lives.

Fettes is where their confidence was built, horizons broadened, talents nurtured and life-long friendships made. Where they achieved exam success, broke sporting records, were inspired by teachers and learnt the skills which would equip them for later life.

Fettes is where they were enthused, praised and encouraged to work hard and achieve the very best they could, while being surrounded by like-minded peers and caring staff.

Our mission at Fettes is to develop broadly-educated, confident and thoughtful individuals who are prepared for life after Fettes and all the opportunities and challenges it will bring.

We are a community which believes in mutual support and co-operation and it is this happy, purposeful environment that encourages boys and girls to flourish and develop fully the skills and interests that they possess, whatever they may be.

A strong foundation for the future, a family for life.

To book a visit, please call our Registrar on 0131 311 [email protected] www.fettes.com

A friendly boarding and day school in the heart of Edinburgh for boys and girls 7-18Excellent GCSE, A Level and IB results • Superb pastoral care • Proud sporting tradition

Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries available

A strong foundation for the future, a family for life

To arrange a visit or request a prospectus, please simply contact our Registrar, Mrs Harriet Marshall on 0131 311 6744 or [email protected] and she will be happy to help.

Fettes College


52 PROFILES

Abuilt on

GivingSchool

George Heriot’s SchoolIn 1659 the first pupils came to Heriot’s. The school was founded through the generosity of ‘Jinglin’ Geordie’ Heriot – jeweller to James VIth - for the education of Edinburgh’s ‘faitherless bairns’. In the C19th it became a private school but the Heriot’s Foundation has always been central to our purpose. Today, we welcome boys and girls from all backgrounds including our Foundationers, the sons and daughters of widows and widowers who live in Edinburgh and its environs. They are a key part of our story, here in our magnificent buildings, as one of Scotland’s most distinguished schools.

Heriot’s welcomes boys and girls from 4 to 18, in a fully co-educational setting; our emphasis is on developing each child’s potential in a happy, caring and stimulating environment. Heriot’s is a family community – Junior and Senior schools together on one campus.

At Heriot’s we have high expectations of our young people – we want them to work hard, look smart, be polite to everyone and care about each other. We take pride in our reputation throughout the city. And our parents do too.

Our Open Morning, to which you are most welcome,

will be held on Saturday 26 September 2015. To find out more, or arrange a visit to the School, please contact the Admissions Office.

Contact: Mrs Gemma Cousins, Admissions ManagerGeorge Heriot’s School, Lauriston PlaceEdinburgh EH3 9EQTel: 0131 229 7263 www.george-heriots.com

George Heriot’s School is governed by George Heriot’s Trust, Scottish Charity Number SC011463


53PROFILES

A Rounded Education for Girls and Boys from Pre-School to 18

With the distinct advantage of being located on one whole school campus, George Watson’s College is very much a community.

Girls and boys from Nursery through to S6 share a caring, friendly and stimulating environment, from which to explore the many opportunities available to them.

Characterised by a warmth often associated with smaller schools, Watson’s exploits the advantage of size to the full – and there is no doubt that the range of opportunities available to their pupils is exceptional.

Academically, they provide an unrivalled choice of subjects and levels. S5 and S6 pupils are able to choose between either SQA examinations or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB), as Watson’s is currently the only Scottish Secondary School to provide the IB alongside SQA qualifications. However, the breadth of opportunity also extends beyond the classroom to a thriving extra-curricular scene. Outside the classroom the school aims to offer all pupils the chance to develop existing interests or discover new ones. Indeed, pupils are encouraged to challenge themselves both academically and during their extra-curricular activities.

All of this requires committed staff and excellent facilities.

The state-of-the-art facilities on campus in the George Watson’s Centre for Sport provide enviable sporting opportunities for GWC pupils.

Buses run to the School from East Lothian, West Lothian, Midlothian, Peebles and Haymarket Station.

Visit Watson’s on Open Morning on 3 October 2015 or contact them to arrange an individual visit – you will get a warm welcome.

Colinton Road, Edinburgh EH10 5EG, 0131 446 6000 Email: [email protected], www.gwc.org.uk

Choice of International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or SQA Qualifications for S5/S6 pupils

School buses run from East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian, Peebles, and Haymarket Station

Financial help available for P7 and S1 entry, including free places

George Watson’s CollegeColinton RoadEdinburgh EH10 5EG 0131 446 6000 [email protected]

www.gwc.org.ukGeorge Watson’s College is administered by the Edinburgh Merchant Company Education Board, a charity registered in Scotland SC009747 OnE SCHOOL, OnE CAMPuS

George Watson’s College


54 PROFILES

Contact admissions on 0131 653 4455 to arrangea visit or join us at our Open Mornings

Independent boarding and day school 0 – 18 yearsLoretto, Musselburgh, East Lothian EH21 7RE.T 0131 653 4455 [email protected] www.loretto.com

LorettoOSCR Charity No. SC013978

MIND BODY SPIRIT

Junior School Open Mornings(Boys and girls aged 0 -12)Saturday, 19th September 2015Saturday 30th April 2016Fun MorningSaturday 16th January 2016

Senior School Open Mornings(Boys and girls aged 12 -18)Saturday, 3rd October 2015Saturday 27th February 2016

Education thatstands out...just like our pupils!

Founded in 1827, Loretto is a boarding and day school for just over 600 boys and girls aged 0 – 18 set in an 85 acre leafy campus just to the east of Edinburgh.

Loretto is deliberately small, allowing a purposeful and caring family atmosphere. There is a rigorous academic programme and high expectations, with first class pastoral care. The School is well known for its emphasis on the development of the whole person in mind, body and spirit and is made up of two parts - the Junior School and Nursery (0-12 years) and the Senior School (aged 12 and over).

Loretto Junior School (ages 0-12), affectionately known as ‘The Nippers’, is a special place. Here is a community where every individual matters, a School which offers the space and opportunity for everyone to find their own route to success - whether in academic achievement, sport, art, music, drama or a host of other activities. The School’s size and campus enable pupils to enjoy the freedom of their childhood within a safe and caring environment.

Loretto Senior School (aged 12-18) develops intelligent, caring, creative, confident, compassionate and successful people who are at home anywhere in the world and doing the most amazing things. Loretto is placed in the top 5% of value-added nationally at A level.

Loretto’s Golf Academy continues to attract keen and talented young golfers from all over the United Kingdom

and beyond.There are dedicated School buses to and from Edinburgh

and the Lothians. Flexible boarding options are available.Financial support, worth up to 105% of the fees, is available.

Loretto

Visit our website for details of our Open Mornings or contact us to arrange a visit. www.loretto.com


55PROFILES

Listen to some of our pupils talk about their Merchiston journey www.merchiston.co.uk

A Boarding and Day School for Boys aged 7-18

Merchiston Castle School, Colinton Road, Edinburgh, EH13 0PU, Scotland Tel. 0131 312 2200. Recognised by the Inland Revenue as a Charity, number SC016580

www.merchiston.co.uk

Applications for means-tested financial assistance welcome

MERCHISTONSTORY

IS JUST BEGINNING

Merchiston has strong and effective approaches to developing each boy’s personal achievement and boasts an impressive record of helping boys excel far beyond their expected results at GCSE/IGCSE and A Level. Boasting particular strengths in Science, Engineering and Mathematics, around five boys go up to Oxford or Cambridge each year and over half go to Russell Group Universities.

There is a long and successful tradition of sporting excellence within a sport for all environment. There are over 20 sports and 30 co-curricular activities on offer for boys of all abilities, as well as specialist tennis and golf academies. Over 60 Merchistonians have played senior international rugby, and we have also produced 23 cricket internationalists. We currently have national schoolboy representatives in athletics, rugby, tennis, cricket, golf and target shooting.

In Merchiston Juniors, we believe we are uniquely placed to give boys the ideal start to their education from 7 years old. We offer a different approach from other schools in that we smoothe the progression from Junior to Senior education, which avoids the steep ‘step-up’ boys can experience when moving on from Primary education. We do this by introducing our Juniors to Senior School teachers, teaching methods and resources as they progress.

“A balanced curriculum, excellent pastoral care and a high A Level pass rate make Merchiston one of the UK’s leading independent schools.” www.ukboardingschools.com

Merchiston

Personal visits are available throughout the year, please call 0131 312 2201 to arrange a convenient time.


56 PROFILES

St George’s School is unique: it is the only all-through, all-girls school in Edinburgh. Here we promote educational excellence both inside and outside the classroom. Our distinctive ethos encourages each girl to be herself in an environment expressly designed for girls. Through a wealth of opportunities and an ethos promoting high expectations, girls gain in confidence and develop ambition so that they may achieve their full potential.

The school is set on one beautiful eleven acre campus in Murrayfield, with no need for lengthy journeys to sports playing fields or any school facilities.

We have girls as young as two (or even younger in our pre-nursery) and as old as eighteen. Boys are welcome up to the end of nursery.

In a full school inspection by Education Scotland earlier this year, the school was awarded the highest possible grading of “excellent” (sector-leading) in three categories. An “excellent” rating was given to the school’s curriculum (including the nursery), improvement through self-evaluation and also for performance (which covers examination results, attainment and achievement further up the school). At the time of writing, no grades in the “excellent” category had been allocated to Scottish schools for some time. The inspectors also commented that the transition arrangements from joining the school in nursery and as children moved up

the school were excellent.With a junior school size of around 200 girls (and a

whole school of 800), St George’s is relatively small and our girls receive more teacher attention than they might get elsewhere. For their primary education our girls are taught in small classes (but, at around 16 - 19, big enough to provide interest and dynamism), with their learning enhanced by specialist teaching for modern languages, music, PE, art and drama. We also offer an extraordinary number of extra-curricular activities with space for all, including an extensive outward-bound programme.

The school for girls

Murrayfield, Edinburgh

OPEN MORNING, SAT 3 OCTOBER& WED 7 OCTOBER 2015

St George’s is the only all-through girls school in Edinburgh. Here, girls come first by design and have the freedom to be themselves.

In January’s school inspection Education Scotland awardedthe school three ‘excellent’ (sector-leading) grades.

Come along to our Open Morning and find out more.

RSVP Mrs Karen Batty 0131 311 8008 [email protected]

A charitable company limited by guarantee. Registered No. SC012632Independent day and boarding school, 2-18 years. Help with fees available.

For information on our Open Morning on Saturday 3 October and Wednesday 7 October 2015 visit our website www.stge.org.uk or please get in touch with Mrs Karen Batty, Admissions Manager, T: 0131 311 8008, [email protected]

St George’s School for Girls DESIGNED FOR GIRLS

www.nunnykirk.co.uk

Nunnykirk Hall, NetherwittonMorpeth, Northumberland NE61 4PBT: (01670) 772685F: (01670) 772434E: [email protected] more information, please visit the school website –

KDL 50/3892

NunnykirkSCHOOL

At Nunnykirk School weplace great emphasis ondeveloping the wholechild – through specialistlearning support as wellas providing emotionaland social support.

So it is really important thatprospective pupils and theirparents are able to feel thatthe school is right for them.

We have recently introducedtaster days which allowchildren to spend a day atthe school joining in lessonsand meeting the other pupilsand staff.

In addition to the keycurriculum lessons we alsoencourage days out tointeresting places such as

art galleries and museums,trips to other countries andwe run annual skills weekswhere we work closely witha number of locally-basedcompanies.

To find out more about ourtaster days or to come alongto a school open day go toour website.

The head teacher is alwaysvery happy to talk to parentsat any time who may beconsidering sending their sonor daughter to Nunnykirk.

To give you a ‘taste’ of what school life is like atNunnykirk we take a lookopposite at a typical schoolday for one of our Year 8boarding students:

• Outstanding educational andpastoral environment

• Specialist dyslexia provision• Speech and language therapy• Boys and girls aged 9 to 18 years• Day pupils and weekly boarding

Established 1977

Taste

r Day

s ava

ilabl

e

Cont

act t

he sc

hool

for d

etail

s

Time Activity8 to 9am Breakfast and getting ready for the school day.9.00 to 9.30 Informal meeting with the Head and/or formperiod.9.30 to 10.15 English – following an individual multi-sensorystructured programme.10.15 to 10.35 Break – fresh fruit, milk and juice provided.10.35 to 11.25 Maths – learning dyslexia friendly methods ofmultiplication.11.25 to 12.10 Rural Studies – helping to look after the walledgarden and helping feed the pigs, ducks andhens.12.10 to 12.40 Reading period – following individual readingdevelopment programmes.12.40 to 1.35 Lunch – cook makes sure any special dietaryneeds are met.1.35 to 2.20 Science – hands on experimental work and checking the snakes in the nature tank.2.30 to 3.50 Art – using the school grounds to draw fromnature in the style of a famous artist.3.50 to 4.00 Form period – help with organisation for prep.4.00 to 4.30 Tea – cakes and juice or milk. 4.30 to 6.00 Structured activities such as gym, go-karting,construction or crafts.6.00 to 6.30 Evening meal – two choices of healthy, homecooked meals.6.30 to 7.15 Prep supported by a qualified teacher.7.15 to 8.45 Free time or hobby time.8.45 to 9.15 To the dorm and lights out.

The only specialist dyslexia school in the North

A taste of life atNunnykirk school

✃

The City of Edinburgh Music School, set in the heart of Scotland’s historic capital, offers a full-time education for young gifted musicians. Unique in Europe, the school is non-fee paying and caters for the entire school age in two neighbouring centres, Flora Stevenson Primary and Broughton High Schools.

All musical styles and instruments are available for study at the highest level with nationally renowned teachers. With expert specialist tuition and all the advantages of a larger school, your child’s gift for music will be developed in a well-balanced and happy environment. For more information contact Tudor Morris (Director).

Full-time education for young, gifted musicians.

www.edinburghmusicschool.co.uk

29 East Fettes Ave, Edinburgh, EH4 1EG0131 332 [email protected]

PATRON: SiR SiMON RATTlE OM CBE

Photo: Sam Sills


59in the NEWS


59which SCHOOL?

✃

CUT

OUT A

ND TA

KE W

ITH

YOU

SIZE School A School B

• What is the overall size of the school?• Are all age groups on the same campus or on separate sites?

• How many classes are there for each age group?• How integrated are the various age groups, eg during breaks, at assembly,

for composite class activities and extra-curricular activities?

How to find the best school FOR YOUR CHILD

MOST FAMILIES EITHER ATTEND OPEN DAYS OR BOOK A VISIT TO A SCHOOL BEFORE MAKING THEIR FINAL DECISION ABOUT WHICH SCHOOL THEY WOULD LIKE THEIR CHILD TO ATTEND

The questions below may help you to decide what is important to you and your family and help determine which school can best match your child’s requirements. When you visit a school select the issues that you value, then during the visit ask the right questions that will allow you to compare your findings with other schools on your short list.

There are no right or wrong answers to any of these questions – it is simply a matter of what best suits your child.

LOCATION School A School B

• Is the school within walking distance of your home?

• Does the school offer a bus services or walking bus, and do you need to pay for this service?

• Is the school on a convenient public transport route?

• Is there a procedure for drop off and pick up times and does this fit into your schedule?

FOOD School A School B

• Is lunch provided for all year groups and does it cost extra?

• What types of meals are provided and are they hot or cold?

• Is the food freshly prepared on site and are the menus changed regularly?

• Does the school have a healthy eating policy and do the meals on offer reflect this?

• Is there provision for special dietary requirements?

• What is the mealtime experience like, eg do teachers eat with the children and do all year groups eat together?

FACILITIES School A School B

• What has been the largest investment in the school’s facilities recently and do they have plans for any future investments?

• When looking at facilities remember to ask which year groups they are available for?

The City of Edinburgh Music School, set in the heart of Scotland’s historic capital, offers a full-time education for young gifted musicians. Unique in Europe, the school is non-fee paying and caters for the entire school age in two neighbouring centres, Flora Stevenson Primary and Broughton High Schools.

All musical styles and instruments are available for study at the highest level with nationally renowned teachers. With expert specialist tuition and all the advantages of a larger school, your child’s gift for music will be developed in a well-balanced and happy environment. For more information contact Tudor Morris (Director).

Full-time education for young, gifted musicians.

www.edinburghmusicschool.co.uk

29 East Fettes Ave, Edinburgh, EH4 1EG0131 332 [email protected]

PATRON: SiR SiMON RATTlE OM CBE

Photo: Sam Sills


60 in the NEWS

✃✃

CUT OUT AND TAKE WITH YOU


60 which SCHOOL?

CO-EDUCATION OR SINGLE SEX School A School B

• If co-educational what is the male:female ratio and is the school coeducational in all year groups?

• If there is a smaller gender group how is it integrated into the activities of the school?

• If the school is single sex, does it have links with other single sex schools of the opposite gender?

• What does the school view as the main advantages of the type of education it provides?

RELIGION School A School B

• Does the school accept pupils of any faith?

• Does the school hold a daily assembly and, if so, is religion brought into the theme?

• Do all year groups attend assemblies?

• How is religion taught within the school’s curriculum?

• Do they pupils sing hymns on a regular basis?

EDUCATION School A School B

• Does the school follow the Scottish, English or a wider curriculum and which public examinations are taken for which subjects?

• Is the International Baccalaureate offered?

• If your child has particular interests or you want them to learn a specific subject, is the school strong in this area? [Ask to see the head of this department if they are available during your visit as this will give you a good sense of the passion s/he has for the subject.]

• For which age groups are languages offered and which languages are available? [Remember to ask about Latin as well as modern languages.]

• Does the school group pupils by set, stream or mixed ability and for which subjects and age groups?

• Which universities and courses have been the most popular for leavers in recent years?

• Do class sizes change for particular subjects for different age groups?

• What are recent exam results like? Are there subjects in which the school excels?

• If your child is particularly bright, or needs special help/attention, ask how many support for learning teachers there are, how pupils access support for learning and if there is an additional cost for this?

Pupils - As most open days involve being shown around the school by current pupils, this gives youa perfect opportunity to get some ‘straight’ answers to questions that may concern you. Bear in mind, however, that you would expect pupils to display a certain amount of loyalty to the school in their answers. This is a chance to get answers to questions that may be very specific to you, eg healthy eating, break-time activities, how strict (or otherwise) the school is, school trips, etc.


61in the NEWS

✃

CUT

OUT A

ND TA

KE W

ITH

YOU

✃


61which SCHOOL?

SPORTS School A School B

• What sports are offered within the curriculum?

• How many hours of sport are there on the weekly timetable?

• Does the school participate in competitive matches against other school and in what sports?

• How do pupils get selected to be in a team?

• What sports facilities does the school have access to, are they on the same campus as the main school building and if not, how do pupils get to the facilities?

MUSIC & DRAMA School A School B

• Is drama on the timetable and can you take external drama exams e.g. LAMDA?

• If private music tuition is offered, for which instruments and which age groups is it available?

• Are children taken out of class to attend private music tuition?

• Does the school have organised music groups such as an orchestra, a pipe band or a choir and who can join?

• What opportunities do pupils have to perform to an audience either individually or in groups?

• Does the school take part in any external music or drama competitions?

AFTER SCHOOL & EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES School A School B

• What time does the school day start and end?

• Does the school offer wrap-around care and holiday clubs, how much do these cost and how many places are available?

• Are after school activities included in the fees, are any of them compulsory and are there a variety of activities available to all year groups?

• Does the school have a CCF unit or participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme?

ENTRY PROCEDURES School A School B

• Is there an entrance exam and what does it involve?

• Does the school operate a waiting list and is it based on first come first served or academic ability?

• How much does it cost to register on the waiting list?

• Do pupils gain automatic entry from the lower parts of the school?

• Does the school require reports and sample work from a previous school?


62 in the NEWS


62

✃

CUT OUT AND TAKE WITH YOU

which SCHOOL?

BOARDING School A School B

• Does the school offer full, weekly and/or flexi boarding?

• Is it possible for your child to attend taster boarding days?

• How do the routines, house system and timetables of day and boarding pupils differ?

• What is the boarding:day pupil ratio?

• What age does the school take boarders from?

• Make sure you visit the dormitories and common areas. Are these facilities modern and comfortable and are children able to personalise their space?

ETHOS & STAFF School A School B

• What is the school’s anti-bullying policy?

• Does the school have a published disciplinary code and will the approach to discipline suit your child’s temperament and match your own views?

• Is there a published set of school rules that you can have?

• What are the qualifications and experience of teachers and what is staff turnover like?

• How does the school reward and encourage achievements and a good work ethic?

• How does the school motivate pupils?

• Does the school have prefects and how does this system operate?

• Does the school operate a house system and how does this play a part in school life?

• Is there a mentoring system and how much interaction is there between younger and older pupils?

School A School B School A School B

Termly Fee School Bus

Boarding After School Activities

Books & Stationary Compulsory uniform & sports Kit

Exams Music Lessons

Meals Trips

COSTS School A School B

• Does the school offer bursaries and, if so, who is eligible and what percentage of assistance is available?

• Does the school offer scholarships and do these have any financial benefit?

• Does the school offer reduced fees for siblings, former pupils or certain professions?

63Independent Schools GUIDE

✃


When should my child start school?Entry can usually be at any age, but traditional entry points are the start of Nursery, Primary or Senior education. Each school has its own admission policy, entry requirements and procedures and these will be clearly described in the school’s prospectus and on their websites.Nursery school (age 2/3-5) Entry at nursery level can be a great way of getting a feel for the school and it raises your chances of being offered a place in the primary class, which is why some nurseries have waiting lists with children registering from birth. But a nursery place is not an absolute guarantee that your child will be offered a place in the school. Primary 1 (age 4-5) Most schools have a large intake in the first year of primary, at age four or five. Primary 3 (age 6-7) and Primary 6 (age 9+) Primary 3 is also a popular entry point, as is Primary 6, as this is when important curriculum decisions come into play in many schools, such as setting by ability. Ages seven to eight-plus are the normal ages to start a preparatory school and it is advisable to start boarding from nine-plus. Senior 1 (age 11+) is the optimum entry point, although most schools will try to consider applications at all stages.

When should I enrol my child?Applications for entry are usually made in the autumn of the year prior to admission and many schools hold open days during the autumn term, mainly September and October. The usual advice is that it is never too early to put your child on a waiting list if you are very fixed on the school you want your child to attend. Most schools require a deposit, so the cost can add up, but you may want a back-up in case you don’t get a place at your first choice. Admissions policies and

entrance procedures vary. Assessments and interviews are usually from late January to early March. Most schools have specific dates for testing the different age groups. The exact type of assessment will depend on the age of your child. (See example entrance test questions on pages 37 - 39)

Special educationEdinburgh has both independent and council schools that offer specialist education ranging from those for the musically talented, to those providing additional support for learning. Many mainstream independent schools can provide a really worthwhile education for children with particular additional support needs. The school may be able to provide the additional support services your child requires without additional cost to the regular school fees.

School reportsIndependent schools are registered with the Scottish Government Schools Directorate, so are subject to inspection by Education Scotland (HMIe) and the Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (SCSWIS) also known as the Care Inspectorate. The detailed inspection reports are available on their websites.

ADDRESS BOOK:

The Scottish Council of Independent Schools www.scis.org.ukEducation Scotland/HMIewww.educationscotland.gov.uk Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland www.scswis.com

Independent Schools

MIDLOTHIAN

EAST LOTHIAN

SOUTH

EAST

WEST

Newtongrange

Kirknewton

Currie

Bonaly

Oxgangs

GracemountGilmerton

LibertonMorningside

SciennesBalgreen

Ratho

Brunstane

CorstorphinePortobello

Craigentinny

Granton

Blackhall

Davidson’s MainsKirkliston

CramondDalmeny

South Queensferry

WEST LOTHIAN

Cargilfield

Clifton Hall

Merchiston

George Watson’s

Mary ErskineSt. George’s

Edinburgh Academy JuniorEdinburgh Academy Senior

Edinburgh Steiner

George Heriot’s

Stewart’s MelvilleLoretto

FettesBelhaven Hill, Dunbar

The Compass School, Haddington

64 Independent Schools GUIDE

School age rangeCo-ed or single sex

School Address and Website Contacts and Head

Total number of pupils

&% boarders

Average classsize

Average number

of classes per year group

Fees per annum Scholarship subjects(% off fee)

Bursaries conditions(% off fee)

Method of entry and next assessment Open days

7yrs-13yrs

Belhaven Hill School Day & Boarding SchoolDunbar, East Lothian EH42 1NNwww.belhavenhill.com

01368 862785 [email protected]

Head: Mr Innes MacAskill

125

65%

Prep School

Boarders12 - 15 Jr 1 - 2

£10,530– £15,150

£21,750

Day

BoardingN/A

Means tested bursaries

Family discount, forces discount

All ages by registration, non-selective, contact school for details

Family Open Morning – Saturday 10th October 2015 10.15am-12.30pmInside Out Day – March 2016Otherwise contact school to visit at any time

3yrs-13yrs

Cargilfield School Day & Boarding School45 Gamekeeper’s Road, Edinburgh EH4 6HUwww.cargilfield.com

0131 336 2207 [email protected]

Head: Mr Rob Taylor

40 100163

20%

Nursery Pre-prepPre schoolBoarders

16 Jr 2

£5,340 – £9,075£9,075 – £14,325

£17,745- 18,450

NurseryDay

Boarding

N/A

Means tested bursaries (up to 100%)

Family discount

All ages interview. Once registered children are invited for an assessment

Contact school to visit at any time

3yrs-18yrs

Clifton Hall School Day SchoolNewbridge, Edinburgh EH28 8LQwww.cliftonhall.org.uk


Head: Mr Rod Grant

40165180

NurseryJuniorSenior

2317

JrSr

12

£4,455 - £8,505 £9,630 £10,125

NurseryJuniorSenior

N/AMeans tested bursaries (10% to 100%) Family discount, forces discount.

All ages-by registration, non-selective, contact school for details


4yrs-12yrs

The Compass School Day SchoolWest Road, Haddington EH41 3RDwww.thecompassschool.co.uk


Head: Mr Mark Becher

20 110

NurseryJunior 16 Jr 1 £5,600 – £6,936

£7,821 – £9051NurseryJunior N/A

Financial assistance available throughout the school

By application to head teacher (non - selective)

October 15th & March 16th see our website for further details www.thecompassschool.co.uk

2yrs-11yrs

11yrs-18yrs

The Edinburgh Academy Day School42 Henderson Row, Edinburgh EH3 5BL

Edinburgh Academy Junior School10 Arboretum Road, Edinburgh EH3 5PLwww.edinburghacademy.org.uk


Rector: Mr Marco LongmoreJunior School Headteacher: Mr Gavin Calder

98374551

NurseryJuniorSenior

20 -2222

JrSr

34

£5,049 – £7,920£7,416 - £9,504

£10,359 -£12,870

NurseryJuniorSenior

(Senior School only - award presented at end of pupil’s education at EA to support further study or Gap year expedition)

Academic, Music, Art, Sport introduced at different ages. Small Award or Music tuition paid.

Up to a maximum of 100% depending on family income(Mainly senior school)

Family discount

Nursery – application formJunior School – assessmentP2-6 - assessment morning 27 Nov 2015P1 - one week in early Jan 2016Senior School – entrance exam and interview in Jan 2016 or by arrangement.Also arranged throughout year

Saturday 3rd October 2015Junior School 10.00 – 12.30pmSenior School 11am – 2pm

3yrs-18yrs

Edinburgh Steiner School Day School60 Spylaw Road, Edinburgh, EH10 5BRwww.edinburghsteinerschool.org.uk


Chair of College: Mr Iain Maclean

5013070

KindergartenJuniorSenior

1817

6 - 8

JrSrEY

11

£3,240 – £4,320

£5,196 – £7,740

£8,376

Kindergarten(3-6yrs)Junior (6-14yrs)Senior (14-18yrs)

N/A

Bursaries are available to help fund a proportion of the fees. Conditions apply. Please contact the School Bursar for more information.

Application and InterviewThrough the year

1st Friday of every month during term time. Tour places should be booked in advance with the school office on 0131 337 3410.

7yrs-18yrs

Fettes College Day & Boarding SchoolCarrington Road, Edinburgh EH4 1QX

Fettes Prep SchoolEast Fettes Avenue, Edinburgh EH4 1QZwww.fettes.com

0131 311 6701 College0131 332 2976 Prep [email protected]@fettes.com

Headmaster: Mr Michael SpensPrep Headmaster: Mr Adam Edwards

194566

30% 75%

Prep-SchoolSenior School

Prep BoardersSr Boarders

1518

JrSr

1 - 23 - 5

£13,965£23,190

£21,825£30,180

Day Prep Day Senior

Boarding Prep Boarding Senior

(11+) Academic & Music Up to 10% of fees

(13+) (16+) Academic, Music, Sports, All-Rounder, Piping, Art Up to 10% of the fees

Open to all who pass entry exam. Means tested up to 100% of the fees

Prep School -Scholarship & Entrance Assessments January 2016Senior School - Scholarship & Entrance Exams plus interviews (Common Entrance at 13+ also possible). 6th Form - Nov 2015, 3rd & 4th Form Feb/Mar 2016

Sunday 4th October 2015

4yrs-18yrs

George Heriot’s School Day SchoolLauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9EQwww.george-heriots.com


Principal : Mr Cameron Wyllie

32 615

1,028

NurseryJuniorSenior

22 - 2620

JrSr

3 - 5 8

£7,404£7,404

£8,988£11,106

NurseryP1-P2P3-P7Senior

Senior School - Academic, (50%) Music, Drama, Art

The Foundation(100% for children of widows and widowers). Means tested Bursaries - priority for senior school.

AssesmentsS1 – S5 January 2016P1 – January 2016P2-P7 - November/December 2015

Saturday 26th September 2015

4yrs-18yrs

George Watson’s CollegeDay SchoolColinton Road, Edinburgh EH10 5EG www.gwc.org.uk


Principal: Mr Melvyn Roffe

87910

1356

NurseryJuniorSenior

22 - 2720

JrSr

5 12

£4,260 – £7,440£7,080 – £8,532

£10,983

NurseryJuniorSenior

Senior School-Academic, Music, Science (up to 25%)

Family Foundation (up to 100% support) means tested.Priority to P7 and S1

Nursery - application formJunior & Senior – assessments in December 2015 (P2-P7) and January 2016 (P1 and Seniors)

Saturday 3rd October 2015

3yrs-18yrs

Loretto SchoolDay & Boarding School1-7 Linkfield Road, Musselburgh, East Lothian EH21 7REwww.lorettoschool.co.uk


Head: Dr Graham Hawley

20 190425

70 %

NurseryJuniorSenior

Sr. Boarders

15 - 1815 -18 10 -16

JrSrEY

24 - 5

£4,560 - £8,943£8,220 - £14,340

£15,030 - £20,850

£16,929 - £30,609

NurseryJuniorSenior

Boarding

The school offers a number of scholarships based on excellence in a variety of areas. All rounder, Sports,Golf, Academic, Music & Art Up to 10%. These can be supplemented with bursaries

Up to 105%(deadlines Dec 15th 2015) Means-tested.

Interview and informal assessmentYr 3 – Yr 5 assessment & interview 6th form grades and interview held throughout year

Dates for 2015 - 2016Sept 19th - Junior SchoolOct 3rd- Senior SchoolNov 26th - Activity/Sleep OverJan 16th - Fun MorningJan 31st & Feb 1st - Golf Sch/shipFeb 27th & April 30th - Sr / Jr

3yrs-12yrs

12-18yrs

(co- ed 6th Year)

12-18yrs

(co- ed 6th Year)

Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools Day & Boarding Schoolwww.esms.org.uk

Junior School13 Queensferry Road, Edinburgh EH4 3EZ

0131 311 1111 Junior School

[email protected]

Principal: Mr David Gray

160 1252

3%

NurseryJunior

Sr Boarders

22 - 26 Jr 5 - 8

£7,107

£6,606 – £8,556

£10,065

£17,454 – £18,174

£19,689 - £20,193

Nursery

Junior

Senior

(fees incl lunch

from P2)

Boarding

(P6 - P7)Boarding Senior

Academic and Music(Senior School only)

Financial assistance offered through means tested bursaries up to 100% in P7 & Senior Schools

Primary 1 Assessment Morning – Saturday 16th January 2016 and throughout the year.

Senior Schools S1 Assessment Morning – Friday, 8 January 2016.

S2-3 Arranged on individual basis. S4 – S6 Interview and exam results. Arranged on individual basis.

Saturday 26th September 2015 10am - 1pm

Stewart’s Melville CollegeQueensferry Road, Edinburgh EH4 3EZ

0131 311 1000 Stewart’s Melville College 745 Senior Boys 17 - 20

8 - 15SrEY 6

0131 347 5700 The Mary Erskine School 756 Senior Girls 17 - 22

5 - 16SrEY 6

7yrs-18yrs

Merchiston Day & Boarding School294 Colinton Road, Edinburgh EH13 0PU www.merchiston.co.uk


Head: Mr Andrew Hunter

80 380

65%

Prep-SchoolSenior

Boarders

15 - 2018- 20

JrSr

1 - 23 - 4

£13,620£21,945

£19,035 – £29,700

PrepSenior

Boarding

Academic, All-Rounder (Art & Design, Design & Technology, Drama, Music and Sport), Music/Piping, Sports, Art & Design and Design & Technology

Financial assistance offered through means tested bursaries up to 100% from Third Form (age 12). Joint fee remission with St George’s, Kilgraston and Queen Margaret’s York. Forces and sibling discounts (means tested).

Juniors Assessments 16 January 2016. Middle Years Assessment 21 and 22 January 2016. Open Academic Scholarship 22 – 24 February 2016. 6th Form Scholarships 6 Nov 2015.

Saturday 12 September 2015Saturday 7 November 2015

2yrs - 7yrs

7yrs-18yrs

St. George’s School For Girls Day & Boarding SchoolGarscube Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 6BGwww.stge.org.uk


Head: Mrs Anne Everest

70245522

10%

NurseryJuniorSenior

Boarders

15 21

JrSr

4 5

£3,750£7,260 - £8,490£9,375 - £11,805

£12,510

NurseryJuniorSenior (inc text books & exam fees)

Boarding (+ tuition fees )

Enquiries acceptedOn application, family discount, Joint fee remission with Merchiston

All ages-Assessment & Interview . Saturday 3 October 2015Wednesday 7 October 2015


KEY: Jr - Junior, Sr - Senior, EY - Exam Years

65OVERVIEW

School age rangeCo-ed or single sex

School Address and Website Contacts and Head

Total number of pupils

&% boarders

Average classsize

Average number

of classes per year group

Fees per annum Scholarship subjects(% off fee)

Bursaries conditions(% off fee)

Method of entry and next assessment Open days

7yrs-13yrs

Belhaven Hill School Day & Boarding SchoolDunbar, East Lothian EH42 1NNwww.belhavenhill.com


Head: Mr Innes MacAskill

125

65%

Prep School

Boarders12 - 15 Jr 1 - 2

£10,530– £15,150

£21,750

Day

BoardingN/A

Means tested bursaries

Family discount, forces discount

All ages by registration, non-selective, contact school for details

Family Open Morning – Saturday 10th October 2015 10.15am-12.30pmInside Out Day – March 2016Otherwise contact school to visit at any time

3yrs-13yrs

Cargilfield School Day & Boarding School45 Gamekeeper’s Road, Edinburgh EH4 6HUwww.cargilfield.com


Head: Mr Rob Taylor

40 100163

20%

Nursery Pre-prepPre schoolBoarders

16 Jr 2

£5,340 – £9,075£9,075 – £14,325

£17,745- 18,450

NurseryDay

Boarding

N/A

Means tested bursaries (up to 100%)

Family discount

All ages interview. Once registered children are invited for an assessment


3yrs-18yrs

Clifton Hall School Day SchoolNewbridge, Edinburgh EH28 8LQwww.cliftonhall.org.uk


Head: Mr Rod Grant

40165180

NurseryJuniorSenior

2317

JrSr

12

£4,455 - £8,505 £9,630 £10,125

NurseryJuniorSenior

N/AMeans tested bursaries (10% to 100%) Family discount, forces discount.

All ages-by registration, non-selective, contact school for details


4yrs-12yrs

The Compass School Day SchoolWest Road, Haddington EH41 3RDwww.thecompassschool.co.uk


Head: Mr Mark Becher

20 110

NurseryJunior 16 Jr 1 £5,600 – £6,936

£7,821 – £9051NurseryJunior N/A

Financial assistance available throughout the school

By application to head teacher (non - selective)

October 15th & March 16th see our website for further details www.thecompassschool.co.uk

2yrs-11yrs

11yrs-18yrs

The Edinburgh Academy Day School42 Henderson Row, Edinburgh EH3 5BL

Edinburgh Academy Junior School10 Arboretum Road, Edinburgh EH3 5PLwww.edinburghacademy.org.uk


Rector: Mr Marco LongmoreJunior School Headteacher: Mr Gavin Calder

98374551

NurseryJuniorSenior

20 -2222

JrSr

34

£5,049 – £7,920£7,416 - £9,504

£10,359 -£12,870

NurseryJuniorSenior

(Senior School only - award presented at end of pupil’s education at EA to support further study or Gap year expedition)

Academic, Music, Art, Sport introduced at different ages. Small Award or Music tuition paid.

Up to a maximum of 100% depending on family income(Mainly senior school)

Family discount

Nursery – application formJunior School – assessmentP2-6 - assessment morning 27 Nov 2015P1 - one week in early Jan 2016Senior School – entrance exam and interview in Jan 2016 or by arrangement.Also arranged throughout year

Saturday 3rd October 2015Junior School 10.00 – 12.30pmSenior School 11am – 2pm

3yrs-18yrs

Edinburgh Steiner School Day School60 Spylaw Road, Edinburgh, EH10 5BRwww.edinburghsteinerschool.org.uk


Chair of College: Mr Iain Maclean

5013070

KindergartenJuniorSenior

1817

6 - 8

JrSrEY

11

£3,240 – £4,320

£5,196 – £7,740

£8,376

Kindergarten(3-6yrs)Junior (6-14yrs)Senior (14-18yrs)

N/A

Bursaries are available to help fund a proportion of the fees. Conditions apply. Please contact the School Bursar for more information.

Application and InterviewThrough the year

1st Friday of every month during term time. Tour places should be booked in advance with the school office on 0131 337 3410.

7yrs-18yrs

Fettes College Day & Boarding SchoolCarrington Road, Edinburgh EH4 1QX

Fettes Prep SchoolEast Fettes Avenue, Edinburgh EH4 1QZwww.fettes.com

0131 311 6701 College0131 332 2976 Prep [email protected]@fettes.com

Headmaster: Mr Michael SpensPrep Headmaster: Mr Adam Edwards

194566

30% 75%

Prep-SchoolSenior School

Prep BoardersSr Boarders

1518

JrSr

1 - 23 - 5

£13,965£23,190

£21,825£30,180

Day Prep Day Senior

Boarding Prep Boarding Senior

(11+) Academic & Music Up to 10% of fees

(13+) (16+) Academic, Music, Sports, All-Rounder, Piping, Art Up to 10% of the fees

Open to all who pass entry exam. Means tested up to 100% of the fees

Prep School -Scholarship & Entrance Assessments January 2016Senior School - Scholarship & Entrance Exams plus interviews (Common Entrance at 13+ also possible). 6th Form - Nov 2015, 3rd & 4th Form Feb/Mar 2016

Sunday 4th October 2015

4yrs-18yrs

George Heriot’s School Day SchoolLauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9EQwww.george-heriots.com


Principal : Mr Cameron Wyllie

32 615

1,028

NurseryJuniorSenior

22 - 2620

JrSr

3 - 5 8

£7,404£7,404

£8,988£11,106

NurseryP1-P2P3-P7Senior

Senior School - Academic, (50%) Music, Drama, Art

The Foundation(100% for children of widows and widowers). Means tested Bursaries - priority for senior school.

AssesmentsS1 – S5 January 2016P1 – January 2016P2-P7 - November/December 2015

Saturday 26th September 2015

4yrs-18yrs

George Watson’s CollegeDay SchoolColinton Road, Edinburgh EH10 5EG www.gwc.org.uk


Principal: Mr Melvyn Roffe

87910

1356

NurseryJuniorSenior

22 - 2720

JrSr

5 12

£4,260 – £7,440£7,080 – £8,532

£10,983

NurseryJuniorSenior

Senior School-Academic, Music, Science (up to 25%)

Family Foundation (up to 100% support) means tested.Priority to P7 and S1

Nursery - application formJunior & Senior – assessments in December 2015 (P2-P7) and January 2016 (P1 and Seniors)

Saturday 3rd October 2015

3yrs-18yrs

Loretto SchoolDay & Boarding School1-7 Linkfield Road, Musselburgh, East Lothian EH21 7REwww.lorettoschool.co.uk


Head: Dr Graham Hawley

20 190425

70 %

NurseryJuniorSenior

Sr. Boarders

15 - 1815 -18 10 -16

JrSrEY

24 - 5

£4,560 - £8,943£8,220 - £14,340

£15,030 - £20,850

£16,929 - £30,609

NurseryJuniorSenior

Boarding

The school offers a number of scholarships based on excellence in a variety of areas. All rounder, Sports,Golf, Academic, Music & Art Up to 10%. These can be supplemented with bursaries

Up to 105%(deadlines Dec 15th 2015) Means-tested.

Interview and informal assessmentYr 3 – Yr 5 assessment & interview 6th form grades and interview held throughout year

Dates for 2015 - 2016Sept 19th - Junior SchoolOct 3rd- Senior SchoolNov 26th - Activity/Sleep OverJan 16th - Fun MorningJan 31st & Feb 1st - Golf Sch/shipFeb 27th & April 30th - Sr / Jr

3yrs-12yrs

12-18yrs

(co- ed 6th Year)

12-18yrs

(co- ed 6th Year)

Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools Day & Boarding Schoolwww.esms.org.uk

Junior School13 Queensferry Road, Edinburgh EH4 3EZ

0131 311 1111 Junior School

[email protected]

Principal: Mr David Gray

160 1252

3%

NurseryJunior

Sr Boarders

22 - 26 Jr 5 - 8

£7,107

£6,606 – £8,556

£10,065

£17,454 – £18,174

£19,689 - £20,193

Nursery

Junior

Senior

(fees incl lunch

from P2)

Boarding

(P6 - P7)Boarding Senior

Academic and Music(Senior School only)

Financial assistance offered through means tested bursaries up to 100% in P7 & Senior Schools

Primary 1 Assessment Morning – Saturday 16th January 2016 and throughout the year.

Senior Schools S1 Assessment Morning – Friday, 8 January 2016.

S2-3 Arranged on individual basis. S4 – S6 Interview and exam results. Arranged on individual basis.

Saturday 26th September 2015 10am - 1pm

Stewart’s Melville CollegeQueensferry Road, Edinburgh EH4 3EZ

0131 311 1000 Stewart’s Melville College 745 Senior Boys 17 - 20

8 - 15SrEY 6

0131 347 5700 The Mary Erskine School 756 Senior Girls 17 - 22

5 - 16SrEY 6

7yrs-18yrs

Merchiston Day & Boarding School294 Colinton Road, Edinburgh EH13 0PU www.merchiston.co.uk


Head: Mr Andrew Hunter

80 380

65%

Prep-SchoolSenior

Boarders

15 - 2018- 20

JrSr

1 - 23 - 4

£13,620£21,945

£19,035 – £29,700

PrepSenior

Boarding

Academic, All-Rounder (Art & Design, Design & Technology, Drama, Music and Sport), Music/Piping, Sports, Art & Design and Design & Technology

Financial assistance offered through means tested bursaries up to 100% from Third Form (age 12). Joint fee remission with St George’s, Kilgraston and Queen Margaret’s York. Forces and sibling discounts (means tested).

Juniors Assessments 16 January 2016. Middle Years Assessment 21 and 22 January 2016. Open Academic Scholarship 22 – 24 February 2016. 6th Form Scholarships 6 Nov 2015.

Saturday 12 September 2015Saturday 7 November 2015

2yrs - 7yrs

7yrs-18yrs

St. George’s School For Girls Day & Boarding SchoolGarscube Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 6BGwww.stge.org.uk


Head: Mrs Anne Everest

70245522

10%

NurseryJuniorSenior

Boarders

15 21

JrSr

4 5

£3,750£7,260 - £8,490£9,375 - £11,805

£12,510

NurseryJuniorSenior (inc text books & exam fees)

Boarding (+ tuition fees )

Enquiries acceptedOn application, family discount, Joint fee remission with Merchiston

All ages-Assessment & Interview . Saturday 3 October 2015Wednesday 7 October 2015

Information has been supplied by the schools and is correct at the time of compilation, June 2015

IND

EP

EN

DE

NT SC

HO

OL

S


66

Junior SchoolAge Range including Nursery

Times excluding after-school sports and activities

Indoor pool

Tennis courts

Playing fields

Hours of sporton timetable

per week

Languages on

timetableFrequency

of assemblyLunch provided

(cost or included in fees)

Uniform exchange

Most recent aid to teaching

Wrap around care

3 Examples of after-school

activitiesJunior/prep school highlight of 2014/15

What makes your junior/prep school different?

Belhaven Hill 7yrs-13yrs

8.30am - 4.30pm/6pm

On siteoutdoor On site On site 7 hours

All year groups French and

Latin from age 9 yrs

4 times a week All years (included in fees)

Second Hand uniform shop

New Library and reference work room. Additional interactive white boards. Expansion of Outdoor Education programme with appointment of specialist teacher.

24 hours

SurfingRiding

Gardening and conservation

33% of leaver’s winning awards to leading public schools. Being awarded the the Woodland Trust’s green tree school award for extending our conservation work into the local community. Unbeaten U11 rugby, cricket and netball teams. Outstanding Senior production of ‘Beauty and the Beast’.

Our pupils! Renowned for their politeness,’ can do’ attitude and focus on ‘we’ rather than ‘me’! We focus on traditional values for today’s world with outstanding opportunities for all pupils both inside and out of the classroom and over 60 extra curricular activities on offer.

Cargilfield School 3yrs-13yrs

8.30am - 3pm (Nursery-P3)(option to be at school 8am-6pm)

8.20am - 6pm (P4-P7)

n/a On site On site 5 hoursFrench and

Latin for all year groups

4 per weekAll years provided

and supper if wanted (included in fees)

Thrift shop

Evening workshops and clinics to help prepare the older children for their exams.

Nursery – P3 8am-6pm. Ages

8-13 evening clubs until 8pm.

Flexi and Weekly boarding also

available.

Sailing, Skiing,

Fly tying,

24 Scholarships to senior schools in Edinburgh and across Britain. 10th Anniversary of the Pentland Round: whole school charitable trek

Small, busy, aspirational.

Clifton Hall 3yrs-12yrs

8.30am - 3.10pm

On site On site On site 5 hours

Nursery to S6 : French

J6-S6 : German & Spanish

1 per week All years (included in fees) Yes Drama Studio 8am – 6pm

GolfBreak Dancing

DramaBrand new, fully equipped playground Where Everyone Matters.

The Compass School 4yrs-12yrs

8.40am – 3pm (Nursery – P2)

8.40am – 3.30pm (P3 – P7)

Use of local pool for

lessons and activities

Off site Off site 4 hoursNursery to P7 : French;

P4-7: SpanishDaily All years

(£220 per term) Yes

Recent £80,000 investment in ICT. Revision and enhancement of reading schemes

Early Bird Care - 7: 45am.

Mon-Fri 3pm-6pm

Fri 12-6pm(after school)

DramaSkiing

Hockey

All Primary 7 pupils awarded places at their first-choice secondary and a scholarship awarded. Winner of East Lothian Small School Swimming Gala and Inter-schools Gala.

High expectations-show respect for others and themselves. Be supportive and positive welcoming and aim to think of others first.

Small class sizes with a high level individual pupil attention.

The Edinburgh Academy Junior School

2yrs-12yrs

8.30am - 2.50pm (P1-P2)8.30am - 3.25pm (P3-P6)



On site On site 2 - 3 hours

French from Nursery

Mandarin from P5 & P6.Also co-curricular

classes: Italian and Spanish

3 to 4 per week

Cooked school lunch for all. School promotes healthy

eating and choices. Nursery – P6:

£2.90-£3.35 per day

1st Wednesday pm and

Saturday am of every month

Substantial investment in tablet technology

Early Birds Club 8-8.30am

After School Club 3-6pm.

Holiday Club outwith

academic terms

Crafts workshop Golf

Cross Country

Opening of the Climbing Wall at the Academy Sports Centre.

Friendly school in central location with spacious campus which includes on-site playing fields, all weather pitch, tennis courts and sports centre. Specialist junior school teachers in music, PE, art, languages and science enhance a broad approach to education with the emphasis on individual fulfilment.

Edinburgh Steiner School (Lower School)

3yrs-14yrs

8.40am - 1pm / 3.15pm



Off siteOff site

(Harrison Park)

2 hours

French and German from age 6 years

upwards

Beginning, middle and end

of each term

Organic lunches freshly prepared each

day (£2.50)

N/A as pupils wear own clothes to

school

New, covered, outdoor clay pizza oven

After school until 5pm

AcrobaticsDrama

Basketball

Class age 14 yr enjoyed 4 weeks cultural exchange to Germany to assist with language development.

In line with the rest of Europe, the start of formal learning is delayed until the age of six years. We offer a strong international focus with an emphasis on helping our pupils to become creative, flexible and entrepreneurial learners.

Fettes Prep School7yrs-13yrs

8.10am - 4pm


French, Latin (others including

Mandarin & Russian available

on request)

4 times per week

Included in cost of fees

Yes - as part of school shop

The stunning new kitchen in Arran house where children learn how to cook, bake and invite guests for dinner.

24 hoursGolf,

Horse-riding, Sailing.

An amazing drama production of Alice in Wonderland and the T Form Latin/Classics trip to Rome.

A thriving, caring community with superb pastoral care that nurtures the individual and thrives on the encouragement of good family values. Excellent academics further augments our offering.

George Heriot’s Junior School

4yrs-12yrs

8.30am - 2.30pm (P1-P3)8.30am - 3 pm (P4-P7)

No Off site Off site 2 - 3 hoursP5-P7: French,

German, Spanish

3 per week Available from P3-P7

(extra cost-swipe card system)

Thrift shop at playing fields

Purchase of iPads to enhance teaching and learning.

7.45am – 6pm and holiday

care open 50 weeks a year

Skiing/snowboardingArt

DramaConcert in the Usher Hall for P3 – P7 Our celebration of individual achievement and

success.

George Watson’s CollegeJunior School

3yrs-12yrs

8.45am - 2.50pm / 3pm (P1-P3)8.45am - 3.15pm (P4-P7)

On site, within

Centre for Sport

On site On site

P1-P5 120 minutes / cycle*


* cycle = 7 days

P3 - P4: FrenchP5 - P7: French

& Spanish

2 per cycle** cycle = 7 days

P1 - P7(extra cost - swipe

card system)

Thrift shop on campus Sets of ipads in every class 7.45am –

5.45pm

ChoirsDramaSports

Building of Junior School Dining Room Extension, improving catering facilities and providing additional After School Club facilities.

The breadth of the Watson’s educational experience, both academically and extra-curricularly, in a warm family atmosphere.

Loretto Junior School

3mths-12yrs

8.30am - 4pm



On site On site 4 - 5 hours French, Spanish, Mandarin

3 per week All years (included in fees) Yes

on campusiPads 7.45am –

6.30pm

Science and TechnologyHighland Dancing

Loretto Radio station/broadcasting

Winning the Scottish prep school hockey tournament

Small class sizesFamily atmosphereAll round education with vast range of extra-curricular activities

Merchiston Juniors 7yrs-13yrs

8.30am - 4pm

On site On site On site 3 - 4 hours

Spanish, Mandarin, Latin, French, Dutch

German, Italian, Russian,

2 per week All years (included in fees)

Exchange Shop

Appointment of Director of Studies for Merchiston Juniors who provides dedicated academic support and new J5 male teacher.

24 hrsJunior Master Chef

GolfDrama

The Boy Who Fell Into a Book, was this year’s Pringle Production. The boys once again brought joy and laughter to their audience with superb comic timing and storytelling.

We smooth the progression from Junior to Senior education, which avoids the steep ‘step-up’ boys can experience when moving on from Primary education. Juniors are introduced to Senior School teachers and teaching methods from age 10, and so benefit from all the resources and expertise of the Senior School.

ESMS Junior School 3yrs-12yrs

8.30am - 2.30pm (P1-P3)8.30am - 3.30pm (P4-P6)

On site On site On site 3 - 5 hours French 2 per week P2-P7 (included in fees)

Yes on campus

More challenging equipment for Early Learning including sticks, stones ropes and tyres

7.45am – 6pmDebating

6 different Dance Clubs Unicycling

Providing choir for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Two Primary 7 challenge walks, each 45 miles long.

Commitment to our 9 values Unrivalled challenges: Professional musicals to overseas tours .

St George’s School for GirlsJunior School

2yrs-12yrs

8.45am - 3pm (P1-P3)8.30am - 3.10pm (P4-P6)

Off site On siteYes and astro turf pitches

2 - 3 hours French or Spanish Twice weekly

P1-S4 (£3.60)S5 + optional Yes

New approach to languages P1 -P4Outdoor learning programmeDigital Exchanges

7.45am – 6pm50 weeks a

year.

Judo Science Club

Creative Thinkers

Residential camps and outdoor learning programme

Only all-through girls school in Edinburgh. Emphasis on individual attention, diversity and flexibility. Educational excellence for girls. Seamless transitions at all stages. Pioneering international education programme.

Independent Schools GUIDE


67Junior SCHOOLS

Junior SchoolAge Range including Nursery


Indoor pool

Tennis courts

Playing fields

Hours of sporton timetable

per week

Languages on

timetableFrequency

of assemblyLunch provided

(cost or included in fees)

Uniform exchange

Most recent aid to teaching

Wrap around care

3 Examples of after-school

activitiesJunior/prep school highlight of 2014/15

What makes your junior/prep school different?

Belhaven Hill 7yrs-13yrs

8.30am - 4.30pm/6pm

On siteoutdoor On site On site 7 hours

All year groups French and

Latin from age 9 yrs

4 times a week All years (included in fees)

Second Hand uniform shop

New Library and reference work room. Additional interactive white boards. Expansion of Outdoor Education programme with appointment of specialist teacher.

24 hours

SurfingRiding

Gardening and conservation

33% of leaver’s winning awards to leading public schools. Being awarded the the Woodland Trust’s green tree school award for extending our conservation work into the local community. Unbeaten U11 rugby, cricket and netball teams. Outstanding Senior production of ‘Beauty and the Beast’.

Our pupils! Renowned for their politeness,’ can do’ attitude and focus on ‘we’ rather than ‘me’! We focus on traditional values for today’s world with outstanding opportunities for all pupils both inside and out of the classroom and over 60 extra curricular activities on offer.

Cargilfield School 3yrs-13yrs

8.30am - 3pm (Nursery-P3)(option to be at school 8am-6pm)

8.20am - 6pm (P4-P7)

n/a On site On site 5 hoursFrench and

Latin for all year groups

4 per weekAll years provided

and supper if wanted (included in fees)

Thrift shop

Evening workshops and clinics to help prepare the older children for their exams.

Nursery – P3 8am-6pm. Ages

8-13 evening clubs until 8pm.

Flexi and Weekly boarding also

available.

Sailing, Skiing,

Fly tying,

24 Scholarships to senior schools in Edinburgh and across Britain. 10th Anniversary of the Pentland Round: whole school charitable trek

Small, busy, aspirational.


8.30am - 3.10pm


Nursery to S6 : French

J6-S6 : German & Spanish

1 per week All years (included in fees) Yes Drama Studio 8am – 6pm

GolfBreak Dancing

DramaBrand new, fully equipped playground Where Everyone Matters.

The Compass School 4yrs-12yrs

8.40am – 3pm (Nursery – P2)

8.40am – 3.30pm (P3 – P7)



Off site Off site 4 hoursNursery to P7 : French;

P4-7: SpanishDaily All years

(£220 per term) Yes

Recent £80,000 investment in ICT. Revision and enhancement of reading schemes

Early Bird Care - 7: 45am.

Mon-Fri 3pm-6pm

Fri 12-6pm(after school)

DramaSkiing

Hockey

All Primary 7 pupils awarded places at their first-choice secondary and a scholarship awarded. Winner of East Lothian Small School Swimming Gala and Inter-schools Gala.

High expectations-show respect for others and themselves. Be supportive and positive welcoming and aim to think of others first.

Small class sizes with a high level individual pupil attention.

The Edinburgh Academy Junior School

2yrs-12yrs

8.30am - 2.50pm (P1-P2)8.30am - 3.25pm (P3-P6)



On site On site 2 - 3 hours

French from Nursery

Mandarin from P5 & P6.Also co-curricular

classes: Italian and Spanish

3 to 4 per week

Cooked school lunch for all. School promotes healthy

eating and choices. Nursery – P6:

£2.90-£3.35 per day

1st Wednesday pm and

Saturday am of every month

Substantial investment in tablet technology

Early Birds Club 8-8.30am

After School Club 3-6pm.

Holiday Club outwith

academic terms

Crafts workshop Golf

Cross Country

Opening of the Climbing Wall at the Academy Sports Centre.

Friendly school in central location with spacious campus which includes on-site playing fields, all weather pitch, tennis courts and sports centre. Specialist junior school teachers in music, PE, art, languages and science enhance a broad approach to education with the emphasis on individual fulfilment.

Edinburgh Steiner School (Lower School)

3yrs-14yrs

8.40am - 1pm / 3.15pm



Off siteOff site

(Harrison Park)

2 hours

French and German from age 6 years

upwards

Beginning, middle and end

of each term

Organic lunches freshly prepared each

day (£2.50)

N/A as pupils wear own clothes to

school

New, covered, outdoor clay pizza oven

After school until 5pm

AcrobaticsDrama

Basketball

Class age 14 yr enjoyed 4 weeks cultural exchange to Germany to assist with language development.

In line with the rest of Europe, the start of formal learning is delayed until the age of six years. We offer a strong international focus with an emphasis on helping our pupils to become creative, flexible and entrepreneurial learners.

Fettes Prep School7yrs-13yrs

8.10am - 4pm


French, Latin (others including

Mandarin & Russian available

on request)

4 times per week

Included in cost of fees

Yes - as part of school shop

The stunning new kitchen in Arran house where children learn how to cook, bake and invite guests for dinner.

24 hoursGolf,

Horse-riding, Sailing.

An amazing drama production of Alice in Wonderland and the T Form Latin/Classics trip to Rome.

A thriving, caring community with superb pastoral care that nurtures the individual and thrives on the encouragement of good family values. Excellent academics further augments our offering.

George Heriot’s Junior School

4yrs-12yrs

8.30am - 2.30pm (P1-P3)8.30am - 3 pm (P4-P7)

No Off site Off site 2 - 3 hoursP5-P7: French,

German, Spanish

3 per week Available from P3-P7

(extra cost-swipe card system)

Thrift shop at playing fields

Purchase of iPads to enhance teaching and learning.

7.45am – 6pm and holiday

care open 50 weeks a year

Skiing/snowboardingArt

DramaConcert in the Usher Hall for P3 – P7 Our celebration of individual achievement and

success.

George Watson’s CollegeJunior School

3yrs-12yrs

8.45am - 2.50pm / 3pm (P1-P3)8.45am - 3.15pm (P4-P7)

On site, within

Centre for Sport

On site On site



* cycle = 7 days

P3 - P4: FrenchP5 - P7: French

& Spanish

2 per cycle** cycle = 7 days

P1 - P7(extra cost - swipe

card system)

Thrift shop on campus Sets of ipads in every class 7.45am –

5.45pm

ChoirsDramaSports

Building of Junior School Dining Room Extension, improving catering facilities and providing additional After School Club facilities.


Loretto Junior School

3mths-12yrs

8.30am - 4pm



On site On site 4 - 5 hours French, Spanish, Mandarin

3 per week All years (included in fees) Yes

on campusiPads 7.45am –

6.30pm

Science and TechnologyHighland Dancing

Loretto Radio station/broadcasting

Winning the Scottish prep school hockey tournament

Small class sizesFamily atmosphereAll round education with vast range of extra-curricular activities

Merchiston Juniors 7yrs-13yrs

8.30am - 4pm

On site On site On site 3 - 4 hours

Spanish, Mandarin, Latin, French, Dutch

German, Italian, Russian,

2 per week All years (included in fees)

Exchange Shop

Appointment of Director of Studies for Merchiston Juniors who provides dedicated academic support and new J5 male teacher.

24 hrsJunior Master Chef

GolfDrama

The Boy Who Fell Into a Book, was this year’s Pringle Production. The boys once again brought joy and laughter to their audience with superb comic timing and storytelling.

We smooth the progression from Junior to Senior education, which avoids the steep ‘step-up’ boys can experience when moving on from Primary education. Juniors are introduced to Senior School teachers and teaching methods from age 10, and so benefit from all the resources and expertise of the Senior School.

ESMS Junior School 3yrs-12yrs

8.30am - 2.30pm (P1-P3)8.30am - 3.30pm (P4-P6)

On site On site On site 3 - 5 hours French 2 per week P2-P7 (included in fees)

Yes on campus

More challenging equipment for Early Learning including sticks, stones ropes and tyres

7.45am – 6pmDebating

6 different Dance Clubs Unicycling

Providing choir for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Two Primary 7 challenge walks, each 45 miles long.

Commitment to our 9 values Unrivalled challenges: Professional musicals to overseas tours .

St George’s School for GirlsJunior School

2yrs-12yrs

8.45am - 3pm (P1-P3)8.30am - 3.10pm (P4-P6)

Off site On siteYes and astro turf pitches

2 - 3 hours French or Spanish Twice weekly

P1-S4 (£3.60)S5 + optional Yes

New approach to languages P1 -P4Outdoor learning programmeDigital Exchanges

7.45am – 6pm50 weeks a

year.

Judo Science Club

Creative Thinkers

Residential camps and outdoor learning programme

Only all-through girls school in Edinburgh. Emphasis on individual attention, diversity and flexibility. Educational excellence for girls. Seamless transitions at all stages. Pioneering international education programme.

Information has been supplied by the schools and is correct at the time of compilation, June 2015.

IND

EP

EN

DE

NT JU

NIO

R SC

HO

OL

S


68

Senior SchoolsAge Range


S4 GCSE 2014

S6 A Level2014

S5 Higher2014

S6 AdvHigher2014 Frequency

ofAssembly

Lunch provided

(cost extra)

3 Examplesof

after-schoolactivities

4 Main Sports Teams 3Competitions

entered last year (non-sport)

Most recent purchase to aid teaching Highlight of 2014/15 What makes your school

different?% A*or A grade

Avg no. ofexams per pupil

% A*or A grade


% A or B grades


% A or B grades


Girls Boys


9am - 3.30pm

Not Applicable Not Applicable

SmallGroup

no data

SmallGroup

no data

SmallGroupno data

SmallGroup

no dataWeekly

All years included in

fees

Tennis

Film Appreciation

Musical Theatre

HockeyCross Country

SwimmingAthletics

FootballRugby

SwimmingCricket

Eco GroupsOrchestra

MathsDrama Studio Senior School Educational Trip to Iceland

Not academically selective . We believe that all children are capable of achieving given the right ethos and culture.

The Edinburgh Academy11yrs-18yrs

8.30am - 3.30pm

44% 9 39% 2 82% 4 77% 1 Daily All years (£3.80)

Musical Theatre

Jewellery Making

Workshop

Pipe Band

HockeyTennis

AthleticsCross Country

RugbyHockeyCricket

Athletics

Young Enterprise National Finals People’s

Choice AwardModel United Nations

Schools’ Quiz Challenge

iPads and Kindles available for pupils, investment in WIFI across the School.Expansion of Outdoor Education programme with Specialist teacher. New Climbing Wall introduced in Academy Sports Centre for use by all pupils

Opening of the Climbing Wall at the Academy Sports Centre

A friendly school which is small enough to care yet large enough to matter.


(Upper School) 14yrs-18yrs

8.40am - 3.15pm/4pm

44% 2 Not Applicable 68%(S6) 4 100% 1

Beginning, middle &

end of each term

Organic lunches freshly

prepared each day (£2.50)

Acrobatics

Basketball

Duke of Edinburgh

Small year groupsso competitive

events vary according to

levels of interest and participation

Small year groups

so competitive events vary according to


Maths code breaking Competition

Chess ChampionshipEdinburgh Competition

Festival

New upper school English department lending library

An hilarious performance, in full, of ‘The Importance of Being Ernest’

Our innovative approach to education includes the Main Lesson – a topic which is continuously studied for up to two hours per day over four weeks. While pupils at other schools become increasingly specialised as they move towards their exam years, our pupils continue to receive a broad based education.

Fettes College* 13yrs-18yrs

8.00am - 4.30pm 65% 9 45% 3 Not Applicable Not Applicable Daily

All meals included in

fees

Debating

Classic Car Maintenance

(with theHeadmaster)

Shooting

Hockey Netball

Lacrosse Athletics

Rugby, Hockey, Cricket, Athletics

Steinway Piano Competition

Maths Olympiad

Youth Philanthropy Initiative

Firefly – a digitial learning platform, intranet and VLE all in one meaning pupils have all their homework resources, reminders and lessons accessible in one place.

The continuation of our new £10 million state-of-the-art ‘Fettes North’. When completed in early 2016, it will offer 25 new classrooms, Music School and Art School.

The breadth of achievement, depth of learning and connections made at school that last a lifetime.

George Heriot’s 12yrs-18yrs

8.30am - 3.15pm

Not Applicable Not Applicable 88% 5 86% 2 2 per week

S1-S6 (extra cost, swipecard

system)

Art Club

Duke of Edinburgh

Award

CCF & Pipe band

HockeyFootballRowing

Athletics

Rugby FootballRowing

Athletics

Maths Olympiad

Duke of Edinburgh Award

Pipeband

iPads and laptops to enhance Learning and Teaching Our girls becoming Scottish Hockey

Champions

Our Rights Respecting Moto :

Try hard, be kind, be happy.

George Watson’s College *

12yrs-18yrs

8.45am - 3.30pm

Not Applicable Not Applicable 80% 4 78% 22 per cycle

(7 day timetable)

S1-S6 (extra cost, swipe card

system)

Sport

Music & Drama

Model UN

HockeyTennis

AthleticsRowing

RugbyCricket

AthleticsFootball

Pipe BandDebating / Model UN

Technology Challenges

Investment in IT infrastructure to provide ability to launch ‘Bring your own Device’ in Senior School

Outstanding season for sport. Scottish Championship wins for rugby (U18), boys hockey, cricket and skiing.


Loretto School 12yrs-18yrs

8.20am - 6pm42% 8 40% 3 Not Applicable Not Applicable Daily


fees

Maths Society

Canoeing

Hip Hop

HockeyLacrosse

Tennis Golf

Rugby HockeyCricket

Golf

DebatingMaths

Science

New Astro State of the art indoor golf centre.

Continued academic excellence and best ever A-levels results. Top 5% nationally for value-added at A level

Bespoke Education for each child. Small and friendly. Outstanding music, drama and art. Golf Academy is one of the best in the UK with new indoor golf centre.


12yrs-18yrs

8.30am - 3.30pm

Not Applicable Not Applicable 91% 5 75% 2 WeeklyAll years £510 per annum

Canoeing

Highland Dancing

Volleyball

HockeyBasket BallSwimmingAthletics

N/A

Debating and public speaking

The Word Wizard (National Modern

Languages Competition)

European Youth Parliament

Campus wide Wi-Fi with Apple TVs and banks of iPads for teaching and learning

For the third time in four years The Mary Erskine School has won the European Youth Parliament National Competition and has represented the UK at the International Forum, held this year in Amsterdam.

As one of the oldest all girls’ schools in the UK, The Mary Erskine School understands the distinctive needs of girls. Here your daughter will emerge a happy and confident young woman, ready to play a positive role in society.

Merchiston13yrs-18yrs

8.15am - 4pm (Summer)8.15am-6pm (Winter games

2-4pm on Tues &Thus)

57% 9 53% 3 Not Applicable Not Applicable Twice weekly

All years (incl. in fees)

Debating

Astronomy

CCF & Pipe band

N/A

Rugby Cricket

AthleticsGolf

National Science and Engineering

Competition.Science and Maths

Olympiads.Edinburgh University’s History, Classics and Archaeology journal.

£500,000 investment in new Social Science and Cookery Block

Top Scottish School for A Levels (www.best-schools.co.uk)

Scotland’s only all boys’ boarding school. A school with a friendly, family atmosphere where pastoral care is a priority. Offering a well-rounded and balanced education, encouraging self-reliance, independence and respect for others.

St George’s School for Girls

12yrs-18yrs

8.30am - 3.30pm

44% 8 88% 1 73% 4 91% 2

Whole school

twice per week.

Year groups meet once per week

All years£3.60 S5 +

optional

Debating

Drama

Young Engineers

HockeyLacrosse

TennisAthletics

N/A

UK Maths Challenge

Salters’ Festival of Chemistry

Model United Nations

All - weather new athletics pitch - Summer 2014Updated Drama Studio

Top Scottish Independent School for Advanced Higher’s 2014 (Best-Schools)3 ‘excellent’ (sector-leading) grades in Education Scotland full school inspection 2015. An “excellent” rating was given to the school’s curriculum, improvement through self-evaluation and also for performance.

Educational excellence for girls. Only all-through girls school in Edinburgh. Emphasis on individual attention. Junior School size of around 200 girls and whole school of 800 makes us smaller than some of the other Edinburgh schools. Wide choice of courses and flexibility. Pioneering international education programme


12yrs-18yrs

8.30am - 3.30pm

Not Applicable Not Applicable 85% 5 81% 2 FortnightlyAll years £510 per annum

Malawi inter-school link.

S1/2 Shakespeare

FestivalFormula 1 in

Schools

N/A

RugbyHockey Cricket

Athletics

Bank of England Target 2.0 UK Final

Schools’ Challenge

Youth & Philanthropy Initiative

Campus-wide wi-fi with Apple TV and i-pads for teaching staff

The establishment of nine core values: responsibility, confidence, appreciation, respect, commitment, enthusiasm, grace, integrity, kindness.

One of the most important things about Stewart’s Melville is that our boys are proud to be boys. Your son will learn to master intellectual, physical and ethical challenges. He will emerge a responsible and compassionate citizen, fully equipped for the modern world as a leader and a team player.

* IB Results ( these schools offer the International Baccalaureate alongside other exam choices)Fettes College IB 2014 results : 33% scored over 40 points (equivalent to over A*A*A*A* at A Level)George Watson’s College IB 2014 results: : 35% scored points equivalent to straight As in 5 Higher’s and 3 Advanced Higher’s

Independent Schools GUIDE


69

Senior SchoolsAge Range


S4 GCSE 2014

S6 A Level2014

S5 Higher2014

S6 AdvHigher2014 Frequency

ofAssembly

Lunch provided

(cost extra)

3 Examplesof

after-schoolactivities

4 Main Sports Teams 3Competitions

entered last year (non-sport)

Most recent purchase to aid teaching Highlight of 2014/15 What makes your school

different?% A*or A grade


% A*or A grade


% A or B grades


% A or B grades


Girls Boys


9am - 3.30pm

Not Applicable Not Applicable

SmallGroup

no data

SmallGroup

no data

SmallGroupno data

SmallGroup

no dataWeekly


fees

Tennis

Film Appreciation

Musical Theatre

HockeyCross Country

SwimmingAthletics

FootballRugby

SwimmingCricket

Eco GroupsOrchestra

MathsDrama Studio Senior School Educational Trip to Iceland

Not academically selective . We believe that all children are capable of achieving given the right ethos and culture.

The Edinburgh Academy11yrs-18yrs

8.30am - 3.30pm

44% 9 39% 2 82% 4 77% 1 Daily All years (£3.80)

Musical Theatre

Jewellery Making

Workshop

Pipe Band

HockeyTennis

AthleticsCross Country

RugbyHockeyCricket

Athletics

Young Enterprise National Finals People’s

Choice AwardModel United Nations

Schools’ Quiz Challenge

iPads and Kindles available for pupils, investment in WIFI across the School.Expansion of Outdoor Education programme with Specialist teacher. New Climbing Wall introduced in Academy Sports Centre for use by all pupils

Opening of the Climbing Wall at the Academy Sports Centre

A friendly school which is small enough to care yet large enough to matter.


(Upper School) 14yrs-18yrs

8.40am - 3.15pm/4pm

44% 2 Not Applicable 68%(S6) 4 100% 1

Beginning, middle &

end of each term

Organic lunches freshly

prepared each day (£2.50)

Acrobatics

Basketball

Duke of Edinburgh

Small year groupsso competitive

events vary according to


Small year groups

so competitive events vary according to


Maths code breaking Competition

Chess ChampionshipEdinburgh Competition

Festival

New upper school English department lending library

An hilarious performance, in full, of ‘The Importance of Being Ernest’

Our innovative approach to education includes the Main Lesson – a topic which is continuously studied for up to two hours per day over four weeks. While pupils at other schools become increasingly specialised as they move towards their exam years, our pupils continue to receive a broad based education.

Fettes College* 13yrs-18yrs

8.00am - 4.30pm 65% 9 45% 3 Not Applicable Not Applicable Daily

All meals included in

fees

Debating

Classic Car Maintenance

(with theHeadmaster)

Shooting

Hockey Netball

Lacrosse Athletics

Rugby, Hockey, Cricket, Athletics

Steinway Piano Competition

Maths Olympiad

Youth Philanthropy Initiative

Firefly – a digitial learning platform, intranet and VLE all in one meaning pupils have all their homework resources, reminders and lessons accessible in one place.

The continuation of our new £10 million state-of-the-art ‘Fettes North’. When completed in early 2016, it will offer 25 new classrooms, Music School and Art School.

The breadth of achievement, depth of learning and connections made at school that last a lifetime.

George Heriot’s 12yrs-18yrs

8.30am - 3.15pm

Not Applicable Not Applicable 88% 5 86% 2 2 per week

S1-S6 (extra cost, swipecard

system)

Art Club

Duke of Edinburgh

Award

CCF & Pipe band

HockeyFootballRowing

Athletics

Rugby FootballRowing

Athletics

Maths Olympiad

Duke of Edinburgh Award

Pipeband

iPads and laptops to enhance Learning and Teaching Our girls becoming Scottish Hockey

Champions

Our Rights Respecting Moto :

Try hard, be kind, be happy.

George Watson’s College *

12yrs-18yrs

8.45am - 3.30pm

Not Applicable Not Applicable 80% 4 78% 22 per cycle

(7 day timetable)

S1-S6 (extra cost, swipe card

system)

Sport

Music & Drama

Model UN

HockeyTennis

AthleticsRowing

RugbyCricket

AthleticsFootball

Pipe BandDebating / Model UN

Technology Challenges

Investment in IT infrastructure to provide ability to launch ‘Bring your own Device’ in Senior School

Outstanding season for sport. Scottish Championship wins for rugby (U18), boys hockey, cricket and skiing.


Loretto School 12yrs-18yrs

8.20am - 6pm42% 8 40% 3 Not Applicable Not Applicable Daily


fees

Maths Society

Canoeing

Hip Hop

HockeyLacrosse

Tennis Golf

Rugby HockeyCricket

Golf

DebatingMaths

Science

New Astro State of the art indoor golf centre.

Continued academic excellence and best ever A-levels results. Top 5% nationally for value-added at A level

Bespoke Education for each child. Small and friendly. Outstanding music, drama and art. Golf Academy is one of the best in the UK with new indoor golf centre.


12yrs-18yrs

8.30am - 3.30pm

Not Applicable Not Applicable 91% 5 75% 2 WeeklyAll years £510 per annum

Canoeing

Highland Dancing

Volleyball

HockeyBasket BallSwimmingAthletics

N/A

Debating and public speaking

The Word Wizard (National Modern

Languages Competition)

European Youth Parliament

Campus wide Wi-Fi with Apple TVs and banks of iPads for teaching and learning

For the third time in four years The Mary Erskine School has won the European Youth Parliament National Competition and has represented the UK at the International Forum, held this year in Amsterdam.

As one of the oldest all girls’ schools in the UK, The Mary Erskine School understands the distinctive needs of girls. Here your daughter will emerge a happy and confident young woman, ready to play a positive role in society.

Merchiston13yrs-18yrs

8.15am - 4pm (Summer)8.15am-6pm (Winter games

2-4pm on Tues &Thus)

57% 9 53% 3 Not Applicable Not Applicable Twice weekly

All years (incl. in fees)

Debating

Astronomy

CCF & Pipe band

N/A

Rugby Cricket

AthleticsGolf

National Science and Engineering

Competition.Science and Maths

Olympiads.Edinburgh University’s History, Classics and Archaeology journal.

£500,000 investment in new Social Science and Cookery Block

Top Scottish School for A Levels (www.best-schools.co.uk)

Scotland’s only all boys’ boarding school. A school with a friendly, family atmosphere where pastoral care is a priority. Offering a well-rounded and balanced education, encouraging self-reliance, independence and respect for others.

St George’s School for Girls

12yrs-18yrs

8.30am - 3.30pm

44% 8 88% 1 73% 4 91% 2

Whole school

twice per week.

Year groups meet once per week

All years£3.60 S5 +

optional

Debating

Drama

Young Engineers

HockeyLacrosse

TennisAthletics

N/A

UK Maths Challenge

Salters’ Festival of Chemistry

Model United Nations

All - weather new athletics pitch - Summer 2014Updated Drama Studio

Top Scottish Independent School for Advanced Higher’s 2014 (Best-Schools)3 ‘excellent’ (sector-leading) grades in Education Scotland full school inspection 2015. An “excellent” rating was given to the school’s curriculum, improvement through self-evaluation and also for performance.

Educational excellence for girls. Only all-through girls school in Edinburgh. Emphasis on individual attention. Junior School size of around 200 girls and whole school of 800 makes us smaller than some of the other Edinburgh schools. Wide choice of courses and flexibility. Pioneering international education programme


12yrs-18yrs

8.30am - 3.30pm

Not Applicable Not Applicable 85% 5 81% 2 FortnightlyAll years £510 per annum

Malawi inter-school link.

S1/2 Shakespeare

FestivalFormula 1 in

Schools

N/A

RugbyHockey Cricket

Athletics

Bank of England Target 2.0 UK Final

Schools’ Challenge

Youth & Philanthropy Initiative

Campus-wide wi-fi with Apple TV and i-pads for teaching staff

The establishment of nine core values: responsibility, confidence, appreciation, respect, commitment, enthusiasm, grace, integrity, kindness.

One of the most important things about Stewart’s Melville is that our boys are proud to be boys. Your son will learn to master intellectual, physical and ethical challenges. He will emerge a responsible and compassionate citizen, fully equipped for the modern world as a leader and a team player.

EXAMINATION RESULTS SOURCE: Post-Appeal Results 2014 published by SCIS 10/12/14 ( The average number of exams taken per pupil has been calculated by dividing the total number of presentations with the number of candidates entered)

School information has been supplied by the schools and is correct at the time of compilation, June 2015

Senior SCHOOLS


IND

EP

EN

DE

NT SE

NIO

R SC

HO

OL

S

70


State Schools GUIDE

When should my child start school?A child whose fifth birthday falls between 1 March 2016 and 28 February 2017 can start school in August 2016. A child who is five before the beginning of the new school session should start in August 2016. A child who is five after this date does not need to start until the next August. If you want advice about the best starting date for your child talk to nursery or school staff. There is no general intake of Primary 1 children at any other time during the session.

When should I enrol my child?• For entry to P1 at the catchment school, enrol during

registration week in November.• For entry to S1 at the catchment school you do not

need to take any action if your child attends a council primary. In mid-November a letter will be sent indicating the school where your child will be allocated a place.

• For entry to P1, and transfer to S1 at non-catchment schools, forms will be available in mid-November.

• For all stages other than entry to P1 or transfer to S1 you should contact the school directly.

• For entry to nursery school, contact the nursery school directly to place your child’s name on a waiting list after his/her second birthday. Nursery schools are not managed by catchment area, so you are free to choose city-wide, subject to availability.

Which primary school should my child attend?For every address there is a catchment non-denominational primary school and a catchment Roman Catholic primary school. The council website has maps of the catchment areas on its website’s “education and

learning” pages. Most parents choose to send their children to their catchment schools but they have the right to request a place in another school. This is done by completing a non-catchment placing request form in December. For both the new P1 and S1 intake you can only make one placing request at a time per pupil. If your initial request is refused you will then be given a chance to make a second request.

It is Council policy to give the highest priority to ensuring that all catchment pupils who want to attend their catchment school are allocated places. It is also the Council’s statutory duty to grant noncatchment places where there are places available.A council committee decides on an order of priority for all placing requests in the following order:• Pupils who have brothers/sisters at the requested

school. • Pupils who are resident in the Council area, and who

do not have siblings currently at the requested school.• Pupils who are not resident in the Council area, and who

do not have siblings currently at the requested school.

Beyond this the committee decides on the basis of the shortest, safest walking distance from home to school. You should note that if your child is allocated a P1 place at school outside your catchment area, at S1 transfer you will be reserved a place at the secondary that serves your address, and not at the secondary which feeds from the primary school.

State Schools GUIDE

MIDLOTHIAN

EAST LOTHIAN

SOUTH

EAST

CENTRAL

NORTH

WEST

Newtongrange

Kirknewton

Currie

Bonaly

Oxgangs

GracemountGilmerton

LibertonMorningside

SciennesBruntsfield

TollcrossRoseburn

Balgreen

SighthillRatho

Brunstane

CorstorphinePortobello

Craigentinny

LeithGranton

BroughtonBlackhall

Davidson’s Mains

Kirkliston

CramondDalmeny

South Queensferry

WEST LOTHIAN

ADDRESS BOOK:

The City of Edinburgh CouncilT: 0131 200 2000 www.edinburgh.gov.uk

71Primary SCHOOLS

Edinburgh Primary Schoolsby area

Has a nursery

Number of pupils

(Teachers)% Free meal entitlement

Reading, Writing, MathsRanking (2010)

Associatedsecondary

school *HMIe report(inspection date)

OurRanking

by area

CITY CENTREStockbridge Primary Hamilton Place EH3 5BA 0131 332 6109 Yes 210

(10) 9% 7th Broughton High****

Very Good( 5,5,5,4,5 - Aug 2010) 1st

Tollcross PrimaryFountainbridge EH3 9QG 0131 229 7828 Yes 157

(9) 16% 27th James Gillespie’s High *****

Very Good( 5,4,5,4,4,- Aug 2010) 2nd

EDINBURGH EASTDuddingston PrimaryDuddingston Road EH15 1SW 0131 669 5092

Yes376(23)

12% 24thPortobello High

****Satisfactory

(4,3,3,2,2 - May 2012)1st

Newcraighall PrimaryWhitehill Street, EH21 8QZ 0131 669 509

Yes109(10)

14% 36thCastlebrae High

*Good

(4,3,3,4,3 - Mar 2008)2nd

Towerbank PrimaryFiggate Bank, EH15 1HX 0131 669 1551

Yes575(25)


****Good

( 5,4,5,4,5,- Feb 2012)3rd

Parsons Green PrimaryMeadowfield Drive EH8 7LU 0131 661 4459

Yes292(15)


****Very Good

( 4,3,3,4,2,- Feb 2012)4th

St Ninian’s RC PrimaryRestalrig Road South EH7 6JA 0131 661 3431

Yes217(12)

34% 46thHoly Rood RC High

***Very Good

( 5,3,4,5,5,- Jan 2008)5th

The Royal High PrimaryNorthfield Broadway EH8 7RX 0131 669 3200

Yes338(18)


****Very Good

(4,5,4,4,4 - Aug 2012)6th

St John’s RC PrimaryHamilton Terrace EH15 1NB 0131 669 1363

Yes382(19)

16% 51stHoly Rood RC High

***Very Good

(5,4,5,4,4 - Dec 2008)7th

St John Vianney RC PrimaryIvanhoe Crescent EH16 6AU 0131 664 1742

Yes283(13)


***Good

(n/a- March 2005)8th

Castleview PrimaryGreendykes Road EH16 4DP 0131 661 6429

Yes224(16)


*Excellent

(5,5,6,6,5 - Sept 2013)9th

St Mary’s Leith RC PrimaryLinks Gardens EH6 7JG 0131 554 7291

Yes295(16)


***Good

( 4,4,4,3,4- Feb 2010)10th

Brunstane PrimaryMagdalene Drive EH15 3BE 0131 669 4498

Yes186(17)


****Good

( 4,3,3,4,3- Feb 2007)11th

St Francis’ RC PrimaryMoffat Way EH16 4DS 0131 621 6600

Yes202(12)

54% 73rdHoly Rood RC High

***Good

( 4,4,4,4,4- Feb 2008)12th

Niddrie Mill PrimaryNiddrie Mains Road EH15 3HG 0131 468 7025

Yes270(20)


*Very Good

( 4,4,5,4,5- Feb 2009)13th

St Catherine’s RC PrimaryGracemount Drive EH16 6RN 0131 664 4257

Yes217(11)


***Good

( 3,4,4,4,5- Feb 2011)14th

EDINBURGH NORTHWardie PrimaryGranton Road, EH5 3NJ 0131 552 3896

No435(21)

9 % 16thTrinity Academy

***Very Good

( 5,5,5,4,5 - Feb 2011)1st

Hermitage Park PrimaryHermitage Park EH6 8HD 0131 554 2952

Yes352(18)

28 % 20thLeith Academy

***Good

(n/a - May 2005)2nd

Trinity PrimaryNewhaven Road EH6 4QA 0131 554 2062

No484(22)

15% 21stTrinity Academy

***Excellent

(5,6,5,5,5 - Aug 2011)3rd

St Mary’s RC PrimaryEast London Street, EH7 4BW 0131 556 7128

Yes360(17)

16% 34thSt. Thomas of Aquin’s

*****Good

(n/a - Aug 2005)4th

Flora Stevenson PrimaryComely Bank EH4 1BG 0131 332 1604

Yes501(24)

11% 45thBroughton High

****Good

(n/a- Oct 2005)5th

Holy Cross PrimaryCraighall Road EH6 4RE 0131 552 1972

Yes282(18)

18% 53rdSt. Thomas of Aquin’s

*****Good

(n/a- Feb 2005)6th

Broughton PrimaryBroughton Road EH7 4LD 0131 556 7028

Yes384(22)

22 % 60thDrummond High

**Good

( 4,4,4,3,3 - Mar 2013)7th

Granton PrimaryBoswall Parkway EH5 2DA 0131 552 3987

Yes365(21)

42 % 61stBroughton High

****Satisfactory

(2,2,2,2,3 - June 2009)8th

Abbeyhill PrimaryAbbey Street EH7 5SJ 0131 661 3054

Yes163(9)

32 % 62ndDrummond High

**Good

( 3,4,4,3,4 - Nov 2013)9th

Leith Walk PrimaryBrunswick Road EH7 5NG 0131 556 3873

Yes217(12)

24 % 63rdDrummond High

**Good

( 4,4,4,4,4 - Oct 2009)10th

Ferryhill PrimaryGroathill Road North EH4 2SQ 0131 538 7382

Yes303(16)

36 % 72ndBroughton High

****Good

( 3,4,4,3,3 - Jan 2011)11th

Leith PrimarySt Andrews Place EH6 7EG 0131 554 4844

Yes278(17)


***Good

( 4,4,4,4,3 - April 2010)12th

Victoria PrimaryNewhaven Main St EH6 4HY 0131 476 7306

No170(9)

35 % 75thTrinity Academy

***Very Good

( 4,5,4,4,4 - Oct 2007)13th

Craigentinny PrimaryLoganlea Drive EH7 6LR 0131 661 2749

Yes187(14)


***Good

( 4,4,3,4,3 - Aug 2013)14th

Pirniehall PrimaryWest Pilton Crescent EH4 EHP 0131 332 5256

Yes267(17)

55 % 80thCraigroyston High

*Good

( 4,4,4,4,3 - Aug 2011)15th

Lorne PrimaryLorne Street EH6 8QS 0131 554 2308

Yes242(13)

33 % 83rdLeith Academy

***Good

( 4,4,4,4,4 - Aug 2010)16th

Forthview PrimaryWest Pilton Place EH4 4DF 0131 332 2468

Yes365(25)

48 % 86thCraigroyston High

*Good

(3,4,5,3,3 - Aug 2011)17th

Craigroyston PrimaryMuirhouse Place West EH4 4PX 0131 343 6465 Yes 195

(14) 63 % 87th Craigroyston High*

Satisfactory(2,3,3,3,2 - June 2011) 18th


PR

IMA

RY SC

HO

OL

S

KEY: ***** = high exam results to * = low exam results

72 State Schools GUIDE


EDINBURGH SOUTHBonaly PrimaryBonaly Road EH13 0FJ 0131 441 7211 Yes 395

(19) 2 1st Firrhill High*****

Very Good(5,5,4,5,4 - Mar 2008) 1st

St Peter’s RC PrimaryFalcon Road EH10 4AH 0131 447 5742 Yes 401

(19) 4 3rd St. Thomas of Aquin’s*****

Good(4,4,4,4,4 - Nov 2013) 2nd

James Gillespie’s PrimaryWhitehouse Loan EH9 1BD 0131 447 1014 Yes 419

(26) 6 6thJames Gillespie’s

High*****

Very Good(5,5,4,4,4- June 2014) 3rd

Currie PrimaryCurriehill Road EH14 5PT 0131 449 3359 Yes 373

(20) 10 8th Currie High****

Good(4,4,4,4,4 - Oct 2008) 4th

Dean Park PrimaryMarchbank Gardens EH14 7ET 0131 449 4529 Yes 463

(24) 5 9th Balerno High****

Very Good(5,5,5,5,5 - Oct 2008) 5th

Juniper Green PrimaryBaberton Mains Wynd EH14 3EE 0131 442 2121 Yes 404


Very Good(5,4,4,4,5 - Oct 2008 6th

South Morningside PrimaryComiston Road EH10 5QN 0131 447 5446 Yes 596

(29) 3 11th Boroughmuir High*****

Good(4,4,4,4,3 - Dec 2009) 7th

St Mark’s RC PrimaryFirrhill Crescent EH13 9EE 0131 441 2948 Yes 156

(9) 25 13th St. Thomas of Aquin’s*****


Sciennes PrimarySciennes Road EH9 1LG 0131 667 1243 No 638


High*****

Very Good(4,4,4,5,4 - Dec 2009) 9th

Buckstone PrimaryBuckstone Loan East EH10 6UY 0131 445 4545 Yes 384


Good(4,5,4,4,3 - Feb 2009) 17th

Bruntsfield PrimaryMontpelier EH10 4NA 0131 229 1821 No 522


Good(5,4,4,4,3 - Oct 2008) 10th

Oxgangs PrimaryOxgangs Road North EH13 9DS 0131 441 3649 Yes 387

(18) 21 22th Firrhill High*****

Good(4,4,4,4,3 - Oct 2008) 11th

Preston Street PrimaryDalkeith Road EH16 5BR 0131 667 4208 Yes 271


High*****

Satisfactory(3,3,4,3,2 - Jan 2009) 12th

Nether Currie PrimaryThomson Crescent EH14 5JR 0131 449 3140 No 159


Good(n/a- Sept 2005) 13th

Liberton PrimaryGilmerton Road EH16 5UD 0131 664 2337 Yes 389

(21) 20 31th Liberton High**

Good(4,4,4,3,3 - Oct 2013) 14th

Pentland PrimaryOxgangs Green EH13 9JE 0131 445 1510 Yes 405


Very Good(5,4,4,5,5 - Oct 2013) 15th

Colinton PrimaryRedford Place EH13 0AL 0131 441 1946 Yes 152


Good(3,3,3,4,3 - April 2006) 16th

Craigour Park PrimaryMoredun Park Road EH17 7HL 0131 664 7594 Yes 388


Good(4,4,4,4,3 - April 2006) 17th

Prestonfield PrimaryPeffermill Road EH16 5LJ 0131 667 1336 Yes 184

(10) 25 61th Castlebrae High*

Good(n/a- May 2005) 18th

Gilmerton PrimaryMoredun Dykes Road EH17 8NG 0131 664 3614 No 400


Good(3,4,4,3,3 - May 2013) 19th

Gracemount PrimaryLasswade Road EH16 6UA 0131 664 2331 Yes 433

(25) 33 70th Grace Mount High***

Good(3,3,3,3,4 - Oct 2006) 20th

Royal Mile PrimaryCanongate EH8 8BZ 0131 556 3347 Yes 127

(10) 40 81stJames Gillespie’s

High*****

Weak(2,2,2,2,2 - Oct 2010) 21st

Clovenstone PrimaryEH14 3EY 0131 453 4242 Yes 190

(11) 45 84th Wester Hailes Centre*

Good(4,5,4,4,3 - June 2009) 22nd

EDINBURGH WESTDavidson’s Mains PrimaryCorbiehill Road EH4 5DZ 0131 336 1184 Yes 488

(23) 8 2nd The Royal High*****

Very Good(5,5,5,5,5 - June 2006) 1st

Corstorphine PrimaryCorstorphine High Street EH12 7SY 0131 334 3865 Yes 474

(24) 19 4th Criagmount High****

Very Good(5,4,4,4,5 - June 2006) 2nd

Cramond PrimaryCramond Crescent EH4 6PG 0131 312 6450 Yes 394

(19) 5 5th The Royal High*****

Good(4,4,4,4,4 - Jan 2010) 4th

Blackhall PrimaryCraigcrook Road EH4 3PH 0131 336 1023 No 448


Excellent(5,6,6,5,4 - May 2007) 5th

Craiglockhart PrimaryAshley Terrace EH11 1RG 0131 337 1407 Yes 380

(18) 9 14th Tynecastle High***

Good(4,4,4,4,4 - March 2011) 6th

Gylemuir PrimaryWester Broom Place EH12 7RT 0131 334 7138 Yes 449

(24) 11 19th Forrester High***

Very Good(5,5,4,5,4 - Jan 2010) 7th

Kirkliston PrimaryCarmel Road EH29 9DD 0131 333 3260 No 361

(21) 17 25th Queensferry High****

Excellent(5,5,5,5,6 - Jan 2015) 8th


Has a nursery

Number of pupils



Associatedsecondary


OurRanking

by area


73Primary SCHOOLS


St Margaret’s RC PrimaryStation Road EH30 9JY 0131 331 1895 No 105

(6) 7 26th St.Augustine’s High***

Very Good(5,4,4,5,4 - June 2006) 9th

Echline PrimaryBo’ness Road EH30 9XJ 0131 331 3397 Yes 248

(14) 7 29th Queensferry High****

Good(4,4,3,4,3 - Dec 2008) 10th

Roseburn PrimaryRoseburn Street EH12 5PL 0131 337 6096 Yes 233


Good(4,4,3,4,2 - Aug 2010) 11th

Fox Covert PrimaryClerwood Terrace EH12 8PG 0131 339 3749 No 210

(10) 15 32nd Criagmount High****

Good(4,4,5,3,2 - Aug 2010) 12th

Queensferry PrimaryBurgess Road EH30 9NX 0131 331 1349 Yes 395

(18) 13 33rd Queensferry High****

Good(n/a - June 2005) 13th

Ratho PrimarySchool Wynd EH28 8TT 0131 333 1293 Yes 135

(8) 11 35th Balerno High Very Good(5,3,4,4,5 - Feb 2007) 14th

Carrick Knowe PrimaryLampacre Road EH12 7HU 0131 334 4505 Yes 394


Good(4,4,4,3,3 - June 2011) 15th

Fox Covert RC PrimaryClerwood Terrace EH12 8PG 0131 339 2383 No 174


Good(4,4,4,3,2 - June 2012) 16th

Dalmeny PrimaryCarlowrie Crescent EH30 9TZ 0131 331 1447 Yes 98

(8) 15 41st Queensferry High****

Good(n/a - Oct 2004) 17th

East Craigs PrimaryCraigmount Brae EH12 8XF 0131 339 7115 Yes 373

(18) 18 42nd Criagmount High****

Excellent(5,5,5,5,6 - June 2012) 18th

Stenhouse PrimarySaughton Mains Street EH11 3HL 0131 443 1255 Yes 294

(19) 39 43rd Tynecastle High***

Excellent(5,5,6,5,5 - March 2011) 19th

Balgreen PrimaryBalgreen Road EH11 3AT 0131 337 6066 No 354



Clermiston PrimaryParkgrove Place EH4 7NP 0131 336 3361 Yes 315


Satisfactory(3,4,3,3,2 - Sept 2014) 21st

St Cuthbert’s RC PrimaryHutchison Crossway EH14 1RP 0131 443 2621 No 181


Good(3,3,3,4,3 - May 2009) 22nd

Longstone PrimaryRedhall Grove EH14 2DU 0131 443 4743 Yes 247

(12) 15 52nd Firrhill High *****

Good(3,5,5,4,4 - May 2009) 23rd

St Joseph’s RC PrimarySaughton Road EH11 3RQ 0131 443 4591 Yes 258


Good(4,4,4,4,4 - May 2011) 24th

Dalry PrimaryCathcart Place EH11 2JB 0131 337 6086 Yes 277


Very Good(5,4,6,5,4 - Feb 2006) 25th

Sighthill PrimaryCalder Park EH11 4NF 0131 453 2464 Yes 172


Good(3,4,4,3,3 - Jan 2015) 26th

Hillwood PrimaryStation Road EH28 8PT 0131 333 1210 Yes 49


Satisfactory(2,3,2,3,3 - Jan 2006) 27th

Murrayburn PrimarySighthill Loan EH11 4NP 0131 453 5339 Yes 364

(22) 34 71st Forrester High***

Very Good(4,4,5,4,4 - May 2010) 28th

Canal View PrimaryHailesland Place E14 2SL 0131 442 3894 Yes 270


Good(4,4,4,4,4 - Jan 2015) 29th

St David’s RC PrimaryWest Pilton Crescent EH4 4EP 0131 332 3500 Yes 260

(14) 38 82nd St.Augustine’s High***

Good(4,4,4,3,4 - Aug 2013) 30th

Broomhouse PrimarySaughton Road EH11 3RQ 0131 443 3783 Yes 168


Satisfactory(2,3,2,2,2 - Jan 2014) 31st


Has a nursery

Number of pupils



Associatedsecondary


OurRanking

by area

SourceMuch of the data presented above comes from www.educationscotland.gov.uk as published April 2015.

Key to GradesEducation Scotland also host the latest reports from the HM Inspectorate. We have presented the grades awarded for five comparable areas of performance:- Improvements in performance- Learners’ experiences- Meeting learning needs- The curriculum- Improvement through self-evaluation

Each of these areas are graded by the inspectorate in word terms - the School Guide has then allocated a grade to that term, used by the care inspectorate:

The following table explains the words inspectors use and the grades we have applied:

excellent means outstanding, sector-leading 6

very good means major strengths 5

good means important strengths with some areas for improvement 4

satisfactory means strengths just outweigh weaknesses 3

weak means important weaknesses 2

unsatisfactory means major weaknesses 1

The grades in the listings are presented according to the order of the five performance areas as we have listed. We gave an overall ratings as excellent, very good, good, satisfactoy or weak according the the combined terms applied in the Inspectorate’s report.

PR

IMA

RY SC

HO

OL

S




Our rankingby exams from 23 Senior

Schools*

Edinburgh Secondary Schools ranked in area by Higher results* Area No. of

pupils*No. of

teachers*

School leavers gaining

5 or more Higher’s**

School leavers

1 or more Advanced Higher**

Free meals*

Un-authorised absences

S1-S5*

Feeder Schools (Subject to Catchment

Requirements)

1stJames Gillespie’s High School Lauderdale Street EH9 1DD T: 0131 447 1900

SOUTH 1,095 97 61% 48% 10% 2%James Gillespie's, Royal Mile, Sciennes, Tollcross, Preston Street

2ndBoroughmuir High School Viewforth EH10 4LR T: 0131 229 9703

SOUTH 1,145 81 58% 42% 4% 1% Bruntsfield, Buckston, South Morningside

3rdSt Thomas of Aquin’s RC High School 2-20 Chalmers Street EH3 9ES T: 0131 229 8734

SOUTH 774 62 55% 43% 11% 2%Holy Cross, St Mark's, St Mary's (London St), St Peter's

4thFirrhill High School 9 Oxgangs Road North EH14 1DP T: 0131 441 4501

SOUTH 1,127 85 47% 33% 8% 1%Bonaly, Colinton, Pentland, Longston, Oxgangs

5thThe Royal High School East Barnton Avenue EH4 6JP T: 0131 336 2261

WEST 1,236 88 43% 31% 7% 1%Blackhall, Clermiston, Cramond, Davidson's Mains

6thBalerno Community High School 5 Bridge Road, Balerno EH14 7AQ T: 0131 477 7788

SOUTH 741 58 48% 23% 4% 1% Dean Park, Kirknewton, Ratho

7thCurrie Community High School 31 Dolphin Avenue EH14 5RD T: 0131 449 2165

SOUTH 775 59 42% 28% 7% 1% Currie, Juniper Green, Nether Currie

8thCraigmount High School Craigs Road EH12 8NH T: 0131 339 6823

WEST 1,209 91 40% 30% 8% 2%

Drumbrae, Roseburn, Corstorphine, East Caigs, Fox Covert, Hillwood,

9th

Queensferry Community High School Ashburnham Road, South Queensferry EH30 9JN T: 0131 319 3200

WEST 774 57 41% 22% 7% 1% Dalmeny, Echline, Kirkliston, Queensferry

10thBroughton High School 29 East Fettes Avenue EH4 1EGT: 0131 332 7805

NORTH 978 79 33% 23% 20% 3%Flora Stevenson, Ferryhill, Granton, Stockbridge

11thHoly Rood RC High School Duddingston Road West EH15 1STT: 0131 661 5871

EAST 1,071 77 31% 22% 21% 2%

St Catherine’s, St Francis’, St John Vianney, St John’s, St Mary’s Leith, St Ninian’s

12thPortobello High School Duddingston Road EH15 1NF T: 0131 669 2324

EAST 1,334 95 30% 22% 11% 2%

Brunstane, Towerbank Duddingston, Parson’s Green,The Royal High,

13thTrinity Academy Craighall Avenue EH6 4RT T: 0131 478 5050

NORTH 851 70 26% 24% 13% 2% Trinity, Victoria, Wardie

14th Leith Academy 20 Academy Park EH6 8JQ T: 0131 554 0606

NORTH 898 72 26% 19% 21% 3%Craigentinny, Hermitage Park, Leith Primary, Lorne

15thForrester High School 212 Broomhouse Road EH12 9AE T: 0131 334 9262

WEST 672 52 20% 19% 17% 4%Gylemuir, Broomhouse, Carrick Knowe, Murrayburn

16thGracemount High 136 Lasswade Road EH16 6TZ T: 0131 664 7440

SOUTH 610 49 21% 13% 30% 4% Burdiehouse, Gracemount

17thSt Augustine’s RC High School Broomhouse Road EH12 9AD T: 0131 334 6801

WEST 692 59 26% 7% 18% 4%

Fox Covert RC, StCuthbert's, St David's, St Joseph's, St Margaret's

18thDrummond Community High School 41 Bellevue Place EH7 4BS T: 0131 556 2651

NORTH 413 44 18% 8% 27% 3% Abbeyhill, Broughton, Leith Walk

19thLiberton High School 328 Gilmerton Road EH17 7PT T: 0131 664 7514

SOUTH 605 48 16% 8% 22% 3% Gilmerton, Liberton, Craigour Park,

20thTynecastle High School 2 McLeod Street, EH11 2ND T: 0131 337 3488

WEST 524 46 12% 9% 28% 2% Balgreen, Craiglockhart, Dalry, Stenhouse

21stWester Hailes Education Centre 5 Murrayburn Drive EH14 2SU T: 0131 442 2201

WEST 296 36 12% 0% 43% 3% Canal View,Clovenstone, Sighthill

22ndCraigroyston Community High School Pennywell Road EH4 4QP T: 0131 477 7801

NORTH 413 50 11% 0% 38% 5% Craigroyston, Forthview, Pirniehall

23rdCastlebrae Community High School 2a Greendykes Road EH16 4DP T: 0131 661 1282

EAST 133 38 0% 0% 43% 5%Castleview, Newcraighall, Niddrie Mill, Prestonfield

Source: www.educationscotland.gov.uk 2015. Pupil numbers, teacher numbers, absence and attendance and free school meal data from 2012/13, the data is collected every two years.

75Secondary SCHOOLS


Our rankingby exams from 11 Senior

Schools*

West Lothian Secondary Schools

ranked in area by Higher results*

Area No. of pupils*

No. of teachers*



School leavers


Free meals*

Un-authorised absences

S1-S5*

Feeder Schools (Subject to Catchment

Requirements)

WEST LOTHIAN

1st

Linlithgow Academy Braehead RoadLinlithgow EH49 6EH T: 01506 843211

Linlithgow 1,203 89 56% 38% 7% 1%

Bridgend Primary, Linlithgow Bridge Primary, Linlithgow Primary, Low Port Primary, Springfield Primary, Torphichen Primary, Westfield Primary, Winchburgh Primary

2nd

St Margaret’s Academy HowdenLivingston EH54 6AT T: 01506 497104

Livingston 1,116 83 46% 27% 15% 3%

Cedarbank, Holy Family RC Primary, Howden St Andrews RC Primary, St John Ogilvie RC Primary, St Nicholas RC Primary, St Ninians RC Primary, St Pauls RC Primary

3rd

Deans Community High Livingston EH45 8PS T: 01506 497090 Livingston 945 78 35% 22% 21% 2%

Carmondean Primary, Deans Primary, Knightsridge Primary, Meldrum Primary , Seafield Primary

4th

West Calder High Limefield, PolbethWest Calder EH55 8QN T: 01506 871510

West Calder 916 70 36% 20% 14% 2%

Addiewell Primary, East Calder Primary, Kirknewton Primary, Mid Calder Primary, Parkhead Primary, Woodmuir Primary

5th

James Young High Dedridge WestLivingston EH54 6NE T: 01506 414244

Livingston 1,134 88 33% 26% 16% 3%Bankton Primary, Bellsquarry Primary, Dedridge Primary, Williamston Primary

6th

Bathgate Academy Edinburgh RoadBathgate EH48 1LF T: 01506 653725

Bathgate 901 74 31% 16% 17% 2%

Balbardie Primary, Blackburn Primary, Boghall Primary, Murrayfield Primary, Pinewood, Seafield Primary, Simpson Primary School,

7th

St Kentigern’s Academy West Main StreetBlackburn EH47 7LX T: 01506 656404

Blackburn 1,180 90 28% 20% 18% 3%

Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary, Our Ladys RC Primary, St Anthonys RC Primary, St Columbas RC Primary, St John The Baptist RC Primary, St Josephs RC Primary (Linlithgow), St Josephs RC Primary (Whitburn), St Marys RC Primary (Bathgate)., St Marys RC Primary (Polbeth), St Thomas RC Primary

8th

Broxburn Academy Cardross RoadBroxburn EH52 6AG T: 01506 852521

Broxburn 851 68 32% 13% 17% 1%

Broxburn Primary, Dechmont Infant, Kirkhill Primary, Pumpherston & Uphall Station Community Primary, Uphall Primary

9th

Armadale Academy West Main StreetArmandale EH48 3LY T: 01506 282145

Armandale 794 68 27% 11% 22% 2%

Armadale Primary, Blackridge Primary, Eastertoun Primary, Windyknowe Primary

10th

Inveralmond Community High Willowbank, LadywellLivingston EH54 6HWT: 01506 438093

Livingston 1,084 86 25% 10% 25% 2%

Beatlie School Campus, Harrysmuir Primary, Letham Primary, Livingston Village Primary, Peel Primary, Riverside Primary, Toronto Primary

11th

Whitburn Academy Shanks RoadWhitburn EH47 0HL T: 01501 740675

Whitburn 800 65 23% 9% 22% 3%

Behaviour Support Service Burnhouse School, Croftmalloch Primary, Falla Hill Primary, Greenrigg Primary, Longridge Primary, Polkemmet Primary, Stoneyburn Primary, Whitdale Early Years Centre, Whitdale Primary


SEC

ON

DA

RY SC

HO

OL

S



Our ranking

by exams from 11 Senior

Schools*

West Lothian Secondary Schools

ranked in area by Higher results*

Area No. of pupils*

No. of teachers*



School leavers


Free meals*

Un-author-

ised absences

S1-S5*

Feeder Schools (Subject to Catchment Requirements)

EAST LOTHIAN

1st

North Berwick HighGrange RoadNorth Berwick EH39 4QS T: 01620 894661

North Berwick 953 70 53% 39% 5% 1%

Aberlady Primary, Athelstaneford Primary, Athelstaneford Primary, Dirleton Primary, Gullan Primary, Law Primary

2nd

Dunbar GrammarSummerfield RoadDunbar EH42 1NJ T: 01368 863339

Dunbar 790 63 42% 21% 7% 2%Dunbar Primary, East Linton Primary, Innerwick Primary, Stenton, West Barns Primary.

3rd

Knox Academy Pencaitland RoadHaddington EH41 4DT T: 01620 823387

Haddington 790 62 38% 29% 7% 3%Haddington Infant, Kings Meadow Primary, St Mary’s RC Primary, Yester Primary

4th

Preston Lodge HighPark View Prestonpans EH32 9QJ T: 01875 811170

Prestonpans 1028 83 24% 27% 9% 3%

Cockenzie Primary, Longniddry Primary, Prestonpans Infant, Prestonpans Primary, St Gabriel’s R.C Primary

5th

Ross High SchoolWell Wynd Tranent EH33 2EQ T: 01875 610433

Tranent 979 84 24% 20% 14% 3%

Elphinstone Primary, Humbie Primary, Macmerry Primary, Ormiston Primary, Pencaitland Primary, Saltoun Primary, sanderson’s Wynd Primary, St. Martin’s R.C Primary, Windygoul Primary

6th

Musselburgh Grammar 86 Inveresk Road Musselburgh EH21 7BA T: 0131 665 4278

Musselburgh 1205 98 23% 17% 11% 3%

Campi Primary, Loretto RC, Musselburgh Burgh Primray, Pinkie St. Peters, Stoneyhill Primary, Wallyford Primary, Whitecraig Primary

MIDLOTHIAN

1st

Penicuik High39a Carlops Road Penicuik EH26 9EP T: 01968 674165www.penicuik.info

Penicuik 566 46 43% 28% 14% 3% Cornbank, Cuiken Primary,

2nd

Beeslack Community HighEdinburgh Road Penicuik, EH26 0QF T: 01968 678060

Penicuik 780 59 35% 26% 10% 2% Glencorse Primary, Mauricewood Primary, Roslin Primary,

3rd

Lasswade High CentreEskdale Drive Bonnyrigg EH19 2LA T: 0131 663 7171

Bonnyrigg 1345 104 28% 22% 14% 3%

Bonnyrigg Primary, Hawthornden Primary, Lasswade Primary, Loanhead Primary, Paradykes Primary, Rosewell Primary

4th

St David’s RC High 1 Cousland Road Dalkeith EH22 2PS T: 0131 654 4702

Dalkeith 670 55 32% 15% 20% 2%

Sacred Heart Primary, St. Andrew's Primary, St. David's Primary, Shaw fair RC, St Luke's Primary, St. Margaret's Primary, St Mary's Primary, St Mathew's Primary

5th

Dalkeith High2 Cousland Road Dalkeith EH22 2PS T: 0131 654 4701

Dalkeith 898 75 31% 16% 17% 4%Danderhall Primary, Kings Park Primary, Tynewater Primary, Woodburn Primary

6th

Newbattle Community High64 Easthouses Road Dalkeith EH22 4EW T: 0131 663 4191

Dalkeith 879 71 15% 10% 22% 2%

Gorebridge Primary, Lawfield Primary, Mayfield Primary, Newtongrange Primary, Stobhill Primary, Moorfoot Primary


**Performance data 2013/14The exam data presented here comes from www.educationscotland.gov.uk who use the Scottish Government’s online tool for educational professionals, called Insight. Insight presents attainment data from Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) accredited courses achieved by pupils during their senior phase (S4-S6). Not all achievement awards are recorded in Insight. This performance data is not directly comparable with previous data due to changes brought about by Curriculum for Excellence and the introduction of new National Qualifications in 2013/14. Only the latest and best awards in each subject are counted. For example if someone has a Higher and an Advanced Higher in Mathematics, it is only the Advanced Higher that will contribute to this measure.

Visit www.educationscotland.gov.uk to see full details of performance data for each schools : SCQF Level 5 = National 5 , SCQF Level 6 = Higher, SCQF Level 7 = Advanced Higher.

77Specialist & SPECIAL EDUCATION


SPE

CIA

LIST &

SPE

CIA

L SCH

OO

LS

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS THAT OFFER SPECIALIST EDUCATION IN EDINBURGHRegius Christian School Wellsprings, 69a Whitehall St, Newcraighall EH21 8QZwww.regius.edin.sch.uk, email: info.regius.edin.sch.uk

0131 669 2913 Religious SchoolProviding an academic foundation, within the Christian faith. ( 5-11yrs)

St. Mary’s Music School 25 Grosvenor Crescent, Edinburgh EH12 5ELwww.st-marys-music-school.co.uk, email: [email protected]

0131 538 7766 Music School For gifted young musicians ( 9-19yrs)

Mannafields Christian School 170 Easter Road, Edinburgh EH6 4ALwww.mannafields.org.uk, email: [email protected]

0131 659 5602 Religious SchoolProvides primary and secondary education from a Christian centred perspective. (5 –14yrs)

EDINBURGH COUNCIL SCHOOLS THAT OFFER SPECIALIST EDUCATION The City of Edinburgh Dance School at Broughton High School, 29 East Fettes Avenue EH4 1EG www.broughton.edin.sch.uk [email protected]

0131 332 7805 Dance SchoolSpecialist dance tuition alongside the mainstream secondary curriculum (11-18yrs)

The City of Edinburgh Music School at Broughton High School, 29 East Fettes Avenue EH4 1EG www.edinburghmusicschool.co.uk, email: [email protected]

0131 332 7805 Music School For gifted young musicians (11-18yrs)

SFA Football Academy at Broughton High School, 29 East Fettes Avenue EH4 1EG www.broughton.edin.sch.uk [email protected]

0131 332 7805 Football SchoolThe programme is designed for elite young football players, both boys and girls, and will run from S1 to S4.

Gaelic Primary School Parkside Primary or Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirc 139B Bonnington Road, EH6 5NQ

0131 229 7828 Gaelic School

Parkside is based on the principle of complete immersion Pupils can continue Gaelic study at James Gillespie’s High School where Standard Grade and Higher courses in Gaelic are offered.

Specialist AND special educationEdinburgh has both Independent and local authority schools that offer specialist education ranging from schools for the musically talented, to those providing additional support for learning

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS THAT OFFER SPECIAL EDUCATION

Donaldson’s College Preston Road, Linlithgow EH49 6HZwww.donaldsons-coll.edin.sch.uk, email: [email protected]

01506 841 900Txt Phone 01506 841 902

Deaf & Speech Impaired

For pupils who are deaf and speech impaired. ( 2 - 19yrs)

Dunedin School Liberton Bank House, 5 Nether Liberton Lane EH12 5JJwww.dunedin.edin.sch.uk, email: [email protected]

0131 672 2638Soc & EmotionalDifficulties

For pupils with social & emotional difficulties. (11 -18yrs) Referred to by local authority and grant assisted

Harmeny Education 45 Mansfield Balerno, Edinburgh EH14 7JYwww.harmeny.org.uk, email: [email protected]

0131 449 3938Soc & EmotionalDifficulties

For pupils with with social & emotional difficulties., (5 - 14 yrs) Referred to by local authority and grant assisted.

The Royal Blind School Craigmillar Park, Edinbugh EH16 5NAwww.royalblind.org.uk, email: [email protected]

0131 667 1100Blind & visualImpairment

Boarding and Day School for pupils with visual impairment ( 5-19yrs)

EDINBURGH COUNCIL SCHOOLS THAT OFFER SPECIAL EDUCATION Braidburn, 107 Oxgangs Road North EH14 1ED www.braidburnschool.com 0131 312 2320 Learning support For pupils aged 3-18 years with additional support needs.

Gorgie Mills, 97 Gorgie Park Road EH11 2QL www.gorgiemillsschool.ik.org 0131 313 3848 Behavioural For social, emotional and behavioural difficulties S1 to S5

Kaimes, 140 Lasswade Road EH16 6RT www.kaimesschool.com 0131 664 8241 Autism 5-18 yrs most diagnoses of Autism or Asperger Syndrome.

Oaklands, 750 Ferry Road EH4 4PQ www.oaklands.edin.sch.uk 0131 315 8100 Learning support 3 - 18 yrs severe / profound and complex learning difficulties

Panmure St Ann’s, 6 South Grays Close EH1 1TQ 0131 556 8833 Learning support Primary School, Special School

Pilrig Park, 12 Balfour Place EH6 8BQ pilrigparkschool.com 0131 467 7960 Learning support 12 – 18 yrs of age with moderate/complex learning needs

Prospect Bank, 81 Restalrig Road EH6 8BQ, www.prospectbank.edin.sch.uk 0131 553 2239 Learning support Primary School for pupils with moderate learning difficulties.

Redhall, 3c Redhall Grove EH14 2DU 0131 443 1256 Learning support Special school for pupils aged from 5 to 11

Rowanfield, 67c Groathill Road North EH4 2SA www.rowanfield.edin.sch.uk 0131 343 6116 Learning support Special school for boys and girls aged from 5 to 11

St Crispin’s, 19 Watertoun Road EH9 3HZ www.stcrispins.ik.org 0131 667 4831 Learning support Pupils 5 - 18 yrs severe and complex learning difficulties,

Woodlands, 36 Dolphin Avenue EH14 5RD www.woodlands.edin.sch.uk 0131 449 3447 Learning support For secondary aged young people with learning difficulties

Where can I get advice on Support for Learning?It is important to identify additional support needs as early as possible because early action is helpful in its own right and can help to prevent further difficulties developing later. Depending on the needs of your child, this may be done from birth onwards.

The Education Authority is responsible for making arrangements to identify additional support needs. Edinburgh Council do this working in close cooperation with parents and other services in contact with a child.Or you may wish to contact the Additional Support for

Learning Helpline number Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm. This helpline is provided by Enquire, who are managed by Children in Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government. Tel: 0345 123 2303.

ADDRESS BOOK:

The City of Edinburgh Council, Children and Families Department T: 0131 469 3444Enquire www. enquire.org.ukCommon Ground Mediation www.commongroundmediation.co.uk

www.schoolguideedinburgh.co.ukwww.schoolguideedinburgh.co.uk

Did you enjoy your time at school?Yes! I went to four schools in total. My infant years were spent at local state schools: Prestwick Academy and Kingcase Primary (also in Prestwick) and then I went to Drumley House, a small prep school in Ayrshire and then on to Merchiston Castle in Edinburgh. I loved school generally but my time at Drumley was particularly enjoyable because every teacher that taught there was an eccentric. It made education incredibly interesting and it felt like a genuinely different experience.

Were you hot on the sports field?Do you mean in shorts? Or, do you mean in terms of skill? Neither, actually! I do love taking part in sport and I could watch sport on TV 24/7 but my only genuine sporting skill was rifle shooting. I represented my school in the 1st VIII for four years.

Did you have any favourite teachers?Absolutely. Doesn’t everyone? The stand-out teacher though was Mr. John Gray who taught me at Merchiston. It so happened that he taught 3 of my 4 Higher subjects (English, Economics and Economic History) and he also made me a Prefect in his boarding house. He was intelligent, witty and treated us like equals. He made school a place where anything seemed possible. He was a magical person and he passed away tragically early. I still miss him.

What about friends?I had some great times with friends at Merchiston, Primarily, I hung around as one of a group of four. I still can’t believe what escapades we got up to at school. As a Headmaster now, I often remind myself of the reality of ‘growing up’ and I always try to see

CLIFTON HALL HEAD TEACHER, MR ROD GRANT TELLS US ABOUT HIS OLD SCHOOL DAYS

things from a teenage point of view as well as from my own.

What did you want to be when you grew up ?I had no real idea but English was always my strongest subject. I actually saw myself as a writer or journalist and in some senses my current position allows that initial interest to come to fruition.

Were your family academic?Both my mother and father grew up in the 1930s and each left school at 14. They had little option because they both grew up in fairly impoverished circumstances. My father’s first job was as a Footman in a house in the Grange in Edinburgh and my mother worked for the Co-Op in Yorkshire – she was the daughter of a miner. I have 3 siblings and they all went to University (one did a degree in Marketing, one in Fine Arts and one has a Doctorate in Genetics and Molecular Biology) so clearly my parents did enough for us to all ‘value’ education.

How do your children compare to you?I have a seven year old son who loves school and has loads of friends and he works really hard. So, in some ways, his experience is similar to my own. However, I was into my 30s before I discovered the importance of a work ethic so he is miles ahead of where I was at his age.

Do you have any advice for your school-age self?Not really – I think our experience is very personal and we do what we feel is right at the time and based on our own level of experience and understanding. I think I might want to have been a little less cheeky though and I should definitely have worked harder!

What do you think your teachers would think of you now?That’s a hard one! I have no idea but I think they might be surprised I’m running a school. Maybe not surprised…more like worried!

Schoolmemories

meet the HEAD

want to make a difference?then become a host family for Bright World

we are looking for families to offer a welcoming home to our students in their short holidays

“My children benefit from the cultural experience

of hosting as well as providing a valuable extra

income to my family.” Tracey Welding

Bright World Host Family

enquire online at

www.brightworld.co.ukemail: [email protected]

1 craigcrook place edinburgh eh4 3ng tel: 0131 315 3322 * 205 bruntsfield place edinburgh eh10 4dh tel: 0131 447 9779 195 portobello high street edinburgh eh15 1eu tel: 0131 657 6333

www.maddieandmarks.com * email: [email protected]

perfectly fitted shoes * beautiful boots * stunning slippers essential accessories * glorious gift vouchers * the cutest clothes

The only choice for shoes - evey step of the way

school guide edinburgh 2015

Documents