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

New Parent and Me classes at Angela Watson School of Dance! Sing, dance, and socialise with coffee, juice, and chats. Classes for parents with toddlers and preschoolers Tuesdays at Craiglockhart Studios. Book your trial today!

An Edinburgh schoolgirl is turning her own experience of change into inspiration for others. Eight-year-old Isabel Hinova has just self-published her first children’s book, Ruby and the new school, on Amazon, after writing the story at the age of seven. The story, influenced by Isabel’s own move to a new school in Primary 2, follows Ruby as she navigates the worries and hopes that come with starting somewhere new. With warmth and optimism, Isabel’s tale reminds children that

The endurance athlete and Old Belhavian returned to his roots to lead a school run, share tales from his audacious 17,000km expedition, and open the school’s inaugural Wellbeing Weekend. Jamie Ramsay Belhaven Hill School recently welcomed the adventurer and former pupil Jamie Ramsay back to his old school to open the inaugural ‘Wellbeing Weekend’. Jamie talked to an audience of over 160 pupils and parents about his experience in ‘Running the Americas’ and his belief in the po

Assessment season is upon us! Join us at Erskine Stewart Melville as we welcome new families to our assessment days.

Navigating the decision of whether to defer your child's school start? This guide, written by a former teacher, offers essential advice on seeking professional insights and considering your child's individual needs and social dynamics. Learn how to make an informed choice that prioritises your child's long-term success and well-being.

In Scotland, the school entry cutoff date of February 28th means a child can start Primary 1 as young as four and a half years old. Recent changes in local council policy allow children who are not yet five by August to defer entry for a year and remain in funded nursery education. Furthermore, children who turn five before August can apply to delay their school start. This means a primary class could now encompass a significant age range, with some children starting as

Rod Grant & Cameron Wyllie, known for their bold views on Scottish education, team up in the "Two Heads Are Better Than One" podcast. Get ready for passionate discussions on the real issues facing schools today!

To celebrate its centenary, Newtongrange Primary School is planning a week of festivities culminating in a special ceremony on November 14th. The celebrations include a parade, school photograph, the singing of traditional and new songs, and a silent disco. A commemorative plaque will be unveiled, followed by an open house for past pupils and staff, featuring artwork, a timeline, historical displays, and memorabilia.

Primary 1 Registration in Edinburgh: Find key dates, required documents, and how to register your child for primary school. Includes information on catchment areas, out-of-catchment requests, and important deadlines. From November 1st, register online at edinburgh.gov.uk/p1registration.

Author: Lydia’s Tuition Helping Your Child Prepare For Private School Entrance Exams When choosing an educational setting for your child, you may be considering private schooling. Here in Edinburgh private schools are known as Independent Schools. Many schools in Edinburgh require students to sit an entrance exam to determine whether they will be offered a place. It’s a daunting prospect for children and parents alike but entrance exams needn’t be nerve-wracking. It’s simp

Discover what to expect for assessment into independent Primary (ages 4-5) and secondary schools (ages 11-12) in Edinburgh.

Local authorities in Scotland, especially Edinburgh, are now permitting deferrals for all children entering Primary 1 this August. This long

Cargilfield School, in Edinburgh, has been named the 'Best Prep School in the UK' at the prestigious Tatler Schools' Awards 2026.

Edinburgh's independent school application deadlines and assessment dates for pupils looking to start next August 2026 are coming up this month. Also this month are taster sessions at many independent schools. Here are a three independent schools, in Edinburgh, with dates coming up. Edinburgh Academy Apply now for Primary 2-6 Entrance Assessments Application deadline: Friday 7 November 2025 Assessment Day: Saturday 22 November 2025 To submit an application, please visit here

The Edinburgh Academy are delighted to host a PARENT, BABY AND TODDLER GROUP called 'Little Ones' taking place at the EA Nursery at Edinburgh Academy Junior School, 10 Arboretum Rd, Edinburgh EH3 5PL. Everyone parents with babies and toddlers are welcome. This is a great opportunity to meet other local parents and carers over a cup of tea or coffee whilst your children play and explore in our lovely purpose built nursery space. Every Thursday at 8:45am - 10:00am during term

Spring 2026 will see the launch of a NEW ANNUAL Nursery and School Guide magazine. The publication will be the unparalleled 'one-stop shop' for discerning parents in Edinburgh and the Lothians. This glossy, hybrid edition will be the definitive, high-quality resource for local parents and carers. And its target readership will be those with children aged 0-16 for whom childcare & education truly matter. Expect a glossy, perfect-bound publication with top-tier production val

Exciting Events at Merchiston: November Highlights for Parents! November is an exciting month at Merchiston! With a proud rugby tradition and a commitment to developing the next generation of players, we are thrilled to host Saturday Morning Rugby Open Training this term. Open to all P7 and S1 players from local schools and clubs, these free sessions offer the chance to train on our renowned pitches under the expert guidance of our professional coaching team. Register Here

Every day is an adventure at George Watson’s College Author: George Watson's College We’re delighted to invite prospective families to a series of exciting upcoming events at George Watson’s College, designed to give you a real taste of life at our school. Taster visit for prospective pupils (P4-S3) Dates: Friday 7 November (P4 – P7) and Friday 21 November (S1-S3) Our P4–S3 Taster Visits offer an opportunity for your child to experience life at Watson’s first-hand. Whilst th