Discover a World of Opportunity at George Heriot's School

Author: George Heriot's

George Heriot’s is Scotland’s leading independent school.

We welcome all children from 4 to 18 to flourish in our happy, caring and stimulating environment. Pupils learn side by side, with both Junior and Senior School located on our landmark Edinburgh campus.

Care and respect for others sit at the heart of the Heriot’s community. Founder George Heriot established the school in 1628 to educate Edinburgh’s ‘faitherless bairns’. In creating Scotland’s oldest Trust, Heriot set in place a story of philanthropy which continues today. The Foundation has provided over 5,700 pupils who have lost a parent with specialist bereavement guidance and financial support.

At Heriot’s, every child is seen and heard, and the relatively small size of school means that no pupil is overlooked. Familiarity among pupils and staff and across year groups, ensures that we look out for one another. Relationships are invested with warmth and trust – creating a real family community.

Distribute chearfullie is the school motto and is based on the founder’s philanthropic vision. Within school there is a focus on giving back, with a broad voluntary service programme and charitable activity across year groups. Heriot’s unique offering, Learning Enhancement, focuses on the teaching of Philosophy. The department’s team of qualified and experienced primary teachers delivers a programme covering Resilience, Emotional Intelligence, Mindfulness, Philosophical Enquiry, Thinking Skills and Diversity, setting up good habits for life and enabling each child’s inner voice to thrive. All pupils from Nursery to Primary 7 take part in a varied and innovative curriculum.

Heriot’s Open Morning will be held on Saturday 27 September 2025. Come and feel the energy and find out what an education at Heriot’s can do for your child.

Join us to discover the energy of a Heriot’s education:

Saturday 6 September 2025

Nursery Adventure: 9.30 –10.30am

Saturday 27 September 2025

Open Morning: 9.30am –12.30pm

Thursday 6 November 2025 (Junior School)

Heriot’s in Action: 9 –11am, 10.30am –12.30pm

Saturday 17 January 2026

Nursery: Storytime with Mary Poppins 9.30am –10.30am

Tuesday 10 February 2026 (Junior School)

Heriot’s in Action: 9 –11am, 10.30am –12.30pm

To book your place at any of these events, please visit the Admissions page at george-heriots.com

To arrange a visit, please contact the Admissions Office on 0131 221 6709 or admissions@george-heriots.com