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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.

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 Jannet Robinson, founder and Tutor at 2StepsAhead Tutoring. Excitement for the summer holidays is now in full swing. School's out...and excitement is building at 2Stepsaheadtutoring.co.uk. We have more tutors, in different subjects, e.g. all Business subjects and Mandarin, and new opportunities. These new subjects will build on our excellent rates for SQA (SQ) subjects. This year we have a 100% pass rate for entry into private schools....totally in line with previous year

Reem and Noah, co-founders of Rook Street Tutors, share their holistic, whole-person approach to tutoring and explore what young people truly need from a tutor.

Master times tables with our comprehensive guide! Learn the "why" behind multiplication, not just the "what," through three key phases: grouping, number lines/squares, and repeated addition/memorization. This proven methodology helps children build a strong foundation in math, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Perfect for parents and educators!

Edinburgh is set to become one of Scotland’s first authorities to ban mobile phones in schools, introducing bell-to-bell restrictions with lockable pouches for secondary pupils and cabinets for primary pupils, backed by a £400k budget and feedback from almost 14,000 respondents.

Foster a love of reading by following your child’s curiosity—turn interests like dinosaurs, space, or animals into stories, and use audiobooks to boost vocabulary and imagination.

We spoke with Janet Robinson from 2stepsaheadtutoring.co.uk about how pupils can prepare for the upcoming academic year to navigate the exam years with ease, and support children sitting entrance exams at the end of this year. "Exams are finished and holidays are in sight, but the real work for students has only just begun. As pupils move into Higher and Advanced Higher courses—and younger students start Nat 5s or enter a second year of Nat 5—the June timetable shift and the

Jill Drummond, Headteacher at Clifton Hall School, discusses the importance of play-based learning and outdoor education in early years development, and introduces the new Cedar Early Years Centre opening in August 2026.

These “ready for school” activities can be done in your everyday routine When it’s time for a child to go to school, there are lots of practical things to think about, like uniform, the school run and after-school care. You can also help your child build important skills for school readiness, helping them adjust to the new environment more easily. Children learn best when they are interested and motivated. Stop the activity when your child loses interest. You want your child

8 evidence-based strategies for parents to foster learning at home without pressure, stress, or comparison.

Join World Afro Day Growing Together: kids and communities grow tea plants, watch Seed to Sip films, and celebrate with tea activities in September.

Parents are urged to seek early support for their children’s emotional well‑being as evidence grows that many mental health difficulties begin in primary school. Anchor Practice has launched Holding Parents in Mind, an online workshop for parents of primary‑age children to understand behaviour, emotional regulation and anxiety. Guided by Fanny Lena and Renata Bakker, the five‑session group uses psychodynamic, reflective parenting to build attunement and reduce isolation.

Emma Rattigan, Principal at Edinburgh Montessori Art School, shows how Montessori principles blend with a vibrant arts program to nurture curious, independent learners.

by Charlie Minogue, Headmaster - Fettes Preparatory School Charlie Minogue, Headmaster - Fettes Preparatory School In a world of fast content and constant distraction, the quiet act of reading may seem old-fashioned. It is anything but. As Headmaster of Fettes Prep, I believe reading is the single most powerful foundation we can give a child. It is not simply about decoding words on a page. It is about developing attention, empathy and resilience. When a child immerses

Edinburgh Montessori Arts School reveals how guiding intrinsic motivation in the early years through autonomy, competence and relatedness builds independent, resilient learners.

Language learning is most effective when children feel safe, engaged, and unpressured. Get Talking Spanish brings expert-led, play-based sessions to Edinburgh nurseries, schools, and parent‑and‑child groups, focusing on understanding first, then speaking. By balancing careful vocabulary introduction with meaningful repetition in a relaxed, fun environment, children build confidence, enjoy learning, and lay lasting foundations in