Nursery & School Guide Latest News
in Edinburgh & the Lothians’ 

13 November 2026 | 1.45pm – 3pm George Heriot’s School welcomes families who are looking for a place in Senior School. Come see lessons in action, meet Senior School Leadership staff, explore the sports facilities, talk to the specialist teachers behind our sector-leading Education Scotland Inspection result, and more. This is an excellent opportunity for families who have not visited Heriot's before. Come and see lessons in action, meet with Senior School Leadership staff, e

Parents with young ones in Edinburgh can look forward to several festive and toddler-friendly events this November. Santa’s Stories Dates: November 20 – December 24, 2026 Venue: West Princes Street Gardens Details: A cosy, 20-minute interactive storytelling session inside Santa's decorated cabin where little ones can hear a festive tale and meet Santa and his elves. Relaxed and accessible sessions are available. Cost: Tickets start from £14.30 (with 20% discounts available f

The Music School Open Day will be on Saturday 7th November 2026 from 11 am to 2 pm at Broughton High School. Students and staff from Primary Music School (Flora Stevens) will also be there. It will be as relaxed and informal as possible. Sample lessons will take place, with student performances and plenty of students, staff, and parents around to chat to. Everyone is very welcome to join us. Find out more about the school here: The City of Edinburgh Music School is open to al

Find information on primary and secondary schools in and around Edinburgh. Details include Headteachers, Principals, Rectors, and Heads of School, appointment dates, educational backgrounds, and previous experience.

City of Edinburgh Council primary school open days for children starting Primary 1 (P1) in August 2027 (born between 1 March 2022 and 28 February 2023) take place on Wednesday, 4 November 2026. Open Day Date: Wednesday, 4 November 2026. Who it is for: All parents, carers and children who are exploring catchment options (non-denominational, Roman Catholic, or Gaelic primary at Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce) for P1 entry in August 2027. Where to visit: You should visit your designa

What makes a good school? Deciding what makes a ‘good’ school for your child, or more generally, whether your local Edinburgh catchment school is a ‘good’ school - isn’t straightforward. If you know the criteria, calling the school office and asking direct questions is often the quickest way to gather facts. Beyond meeting your child’s needs, what other indicators show a school is well run? Key indicators of a good school Strong leadership, with an ethos that promotes a posit

8 Key Considerations In Scotland, the traditional age for a child to start school is between 4.5 and 5.5 years old. However, if your child will not be five on their first day of school, you have the right to defer them. In this case, you will receive an additional year of nursery funding from the Scottish Government. While deferral is more common for Winter-born children, Autumn deferrals are on the rise. Here’s what we would do if unsure about deferral: 1) Seek advice from p

Find the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 school term and holiday dates for Edinburgh local authority schools. Includes term dates, mid-term breaks, Christmas, Easter, and summer holidays. Please note that some schools may have different dates, so always check the school's website for confirmation.

© John Pow Photography for Dundee Heritage Trust Ideal age: 5+ Location: Riverside Drive, Dundee (By Dundee railway station) When: 9am-5pm, 7 days Top tip: Convert your tickets to an annual pass! Parent Review: What luck to find a central railway station/carpark and numerous attractions (2 old ships, Dundee Science Centre, The Mcmanus, V&A, Dundee Museum of Transport & more) all within easy walking distance. Discovery Point sits a stone’s throw from V&A Dundee, which, for

Experience Middle School Event Date & Time: Friday 13 November 2026, 1.30 pm - 3.00 pm St. George's School is hosting a Taster Afternoon where prospective families with girls currently in P5 or lower can learn about the school's transition from primary to secondary education. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet Middle School (P6-S1) staff, participate in activity sessions, and hear directly from girls about their journey through the school. The event features a live Q&

George Watson's College looks forward to welcoming families this November and December to taster events. These events offer an opportunity to meet passionate teachers, engage in activities, and experience what life at the college is all about. Personal tours are also available for families to see the school, hear from pupils, and meet the leadership team.

This guide provides dates for Independent School Taster Events in Edinburgh & Lothians 2026. Each school profile also links directly to our podcast episode, featuring candid conversations with headteachers about their vision, values, facilities, and what makes their school unique. Hear directly from school leaders about curriculum innovation, pastoral care, boarding options, and more.

Loretto invites prospective Junior and Senior pupils to experience lessons, activities and school life at its October taster days on 27 and 30 October.

Primary 3-6 Taster Afternoon Fri 30 Oct 2026 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM The Edinburgh Academy Junior School, EH3 5PL Ignite a spark for learning Is your child currently in Primary 3 to Primary 6? Come along and experience EA’s exciting specialist lessons. From Science and Art to Sport and Music, our dedicated specialist teachers in the Junior School give children the chance to discover new interests, try something different and enjoy learning in a whole new way. Parents are warmly i

By Taylor Smith - SwimEasy There is no greater vote of confidence in swimming teaching than generational trust. When a child learns to swim with an instructor, grows into adulthood, and years later brings their own children back to the exact same programme, it proves that the foundation built decades ago was solid, enduring, and transformative. This month, we received a special testimonial from Fraser, an Edinburgh parent whose family journey with SwimEasy spans over twenty-f

by Marie-Amélie Viatte Davidson’s Mains Primary : growing, harvesting, and cooking I went back to school. I witnessed a story of gentle transformation emerging. I’d previously visited about 18 months before (read about that here), when that story was only a twinkle in the eyes of school staff. I revisited to witness how that twinkle in the eye of imagination has transformed into a new reality, like a seed sown on fertile ground that comes to germinate. Not all seeds are born

By Laura Vida Dundee Science Centre Based in Scotland? Looking for a staycation that definitely won’t break the bank? Need ideas for half-term or bank holiday days out? Dundee is absolutely packed with indoor and outdoor options for kids. If staying over, nearby Broughty Ferry is a great spot for families with young kids. Accommodation is reasonably priced and there’s a great beach and playground on your doorstep. From here, it’s a short train hop to central Dundee. Here a

Some of Belhaven’s Cross-Country Winners Running and Sport Should Be a ‘Lifelong Companion’ in Education Belhaven Hill School in East Lothian has just welcomed 140 young runners to its first ever annual Belhaven P1-4 Cross-Country event for 4-8-year-olds. It now takes its place as the sister event to the biggest cross-country competition in the annual prep schools’ calendar for 8-13-year-olds – The Belhaven Cross-Country Championships, sponsored by McInroy & Wood. That is n

Unmasked with Dr Basra MILLIONS of neurodivergent people and their families across the UK are being put at the heart of a new podcast aiming to challenge misconceptions around ADHD, autism and mental health through real-life experiences and clinical science. Launching on World Mental Health Day on October 10, Unmasked with Dr Basra will bring together people with lived experience, parents, public figures and experts to explore what neurodivergence can mean for families, relat

By St Mary’s Music School Join us for an interactive day of music making. Are you thinking about taking your musical journey to the next level? Come along to St Mary’s Music School for a fully interactive Instrumental Taster Morning! Whether you are considering a Specialist Musical Education for your child, or just looking for more musical experience, this morning is open to young musicians from P4 to S2. This fully interactive morning is a fantastic opportunity to work with