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

Essential guide for Edinburgh parents: find 100+ nurseries, compare state & private schools, understand the education system, and discover local children's activities.

Regius School is an independent Christian school for P1–S2 with small class sizes, personalised learning, outdoor education, and flexible pathways rooted in Christian values.

By Merchiston School, Edinburgh Set within 100 acres of beautiful woodland and parkland, Merchiston Castle School provides an education shaped by caring relationships, high expectations and meaningful opportunities. Our campus offers a safe and inspiring environment where children can explore, learn and grow in every direction. The Forest at Merchiston offers a co-educational Nursery and Primary experience, rolling through to P7 by 2028. A strong academic curriculum is seamle

Clifton Hall School, Edinburgh, describes itself as a warm school with a supportive education, no entrance exams, a bespoke Nursery, and excellent sport, arts, and pastoral care.

Nursery & School Guide marks 21 years by merging into a single Edinburgh & Lothians edition, available in print or online. Founded in 2005 by Nikki Miller, it lists and ranks schools (independent/state) and daycare nurseries.

Merchiston Castle School invites prospective Sixth Form entrants to step into Sixth Form life, meet pupils and staff, and observe learning in action within the dedicated Sixth Form House. Whether considering day or boarding, Merchiston Castle School’s Sixth Form Open House offers an authentic glimpse into the community, support, and opportunities that make the Sixth Form a unique place to grow and thrive. The event takes place on Friday, 8 May, from 2:00–4:00 PM. Registration

Cargilfield is Scotland’s first prep school near Edinburgh, offering 150+ years of excellence with outstanding academics and rich extracurriculars. Book a visit at cargilfield.com.

Join Edinburgh Steiner School on May 1 for an Open Tour and discover Waldorf education with screen-free classrooms, lifelong teacher continuity, and a broad, holistic program.

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

Families considering Year Two to Seven (6 yrs - 10 yrs) options for their children are warmly invited to attend Loretto Junior School’s Taster Day on Monday, 4th May. This is the perfect opportunity for you and your child to experience Loretto’s close-knit community and nurturing environment, according to Loretto's admissions team. You and your child will discover the exceptional opportunities on offer, including an expansive extracurricular programme and Forest School. Du

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

Running Should Be a ‘Lifelong Companion’ in Education, Nurturing Teamwork and Resilience Belhaven Hill School in East Lothian has recently welcomed runners back for the 40 th annual Belhaven Cross-Country Championships. Sponsored by East Lothian investment managers McInroy & Wood, this is the biggest cross-country competition in the annual junior and prep schools’ calendar. The event is organised and hosted by Belhaven Hill School, the boarding and day school for 4 to

George Watson's College Junior School is hosting a Playdate for families considering Preschool to P3 on: Saturday, 9 May 2026, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. The morning offers discovery activities for children, with opportunities for parents to meet teachers and the leadership team, and to tour the Preschool and Lower Primary to learn what makes the school truly special. Personal tours are also available to see the school, hear from pupils, and meet our leadership team if you

St Mary’s Music School offers a relaxed Pre-Audition Afternoon for P3–P5 pupils to explore chorister life, blending outstanding musical training, strong academics, and a centuries-old choral tradition.

🌲 Forest Friday Open Day – Friday 17th April Clifton Hall School invites families with children in Nursery to Primary 2 to its Forest Friday Open Day. Set within the school's private woodland, the immersive open morning and afternoon will offer children the chance to explore, play and create in nature. Families will participate in a range of age-appropriate woodland-themed arts, crafts and games, designed to encourage curiosity, confidence and a love of outdoor learning. Act

Leading independent Scottish school, Loretto , is holding a Senior School Open Day with a twist on Saturday 7 th March. The Edinburgh-based boarding and day school is offering families the opportunity to individualise their school visit, with custom tours tailored to the prospective pupil’s personal interests and ambitions. Attendees can share their areas of interest and pre-select their chosen subjects to design an open morning entirely catered to their needs, with teac

Edinburgh Montessori Arts School extends Nursery and Primary 1 with Term Time Plus—a Montessori-aligned eight-week extension offering continuity, warmth, and gentle French immersion.

Are you looking for ways to keep your child entertained during the school holidays? Conveniently located just a 20-minute drive from Edinburgh city centre, Loretto hosts a range of activity camps over the Easter and Summer holidays, from Acrobatics to Volunteering and Adventure Sport. Participating in activity camps has many benefits, including discovering new interests and talents, reducing screen time, and making new friends. Read on to discover five benefits of sending

HMC announces Lisa Kerr as the next Chair of the HMC Board for the 2027/28 academic year, succeeding Dr Anne Cotton, bringing extensive governance and leadership experience from leading independent schools.

George Heriot’s School’s 2025-2030 Digital Capability strategy develops confident, responsible digital learners with AI awareness and equitable access for all pupils.