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Who Are The Heads of Edinburgh and Lothians Top Independent Schools?

Belhaven Hill School

(5-13yrs)

Head: Olly Langton

(Since: 2020)



Currently in his first headship, Mr Langton was previously a housemaster at Radley. He graduated from The University of Edinburgh with a 1st Class degree in History and played for the 1st XI Cricket team. He is married to Rosie, who read Modern Languages at Oxford before working as an Italian and French teacher. They have three young children. 


Belhaven Hill School: Belhaven Rd, Dunbar EH42 1NN


Cargilfield School

(3-13yrs)

Head: Colin MacIntosh

(Since: August 2025)



Mr MacIntosh read English Language and Literature at St Andrews University. This will be his first year as Headmaster of Cargilfield School. He and his family are moving up from Buckinghamshire, where, for seven years, he was Headmaster of Ashfold School. Prior to that, he was Deputy Head at Beaudesert Park in Gloucestershire, and Head of Boarding at Aldro School in Surrey. A keen sportsman, Mr MacIntosh enjoys football, cricket and golf. He is married to Anna and has two children. 


Cargilfield School 45 Gamekeeper's Rd, Cramond, Edinburgh EH4


Clifton Hall School

(3-18yrs)

Head: Jill Drummond

(Since: 2025)



Educated at the Mary Erskine School, Ms Drummond graduated from Edinburgh University with an Honours Degree in Physical Education.  She began her teaching career as Physical Education Teacher at Broxburn Academy and has taught at Clifton Hall since 2008. As Pastoral Care & Guidance Coordinator, she has developed the culture and ethos of the school by focussing on the extracurricular opportunities for Sport and travel. Ms Drummond is married and has two children and a Labradoodle. In her spare time, she enjoys attending sporting events and taking her dog for long, leisurely walks. 


Clifton Hall School Cliftonhall Rd, Newbridge EH28 8LQ


The Compass School

(4-12yrs)

Head: Mark Becher

(Since: 1997)



A graduate of Dundee University (Modern History) Mr Becher completed teacher training at the University of Strathclyde. He then taught for nearly a decade at The Edinburgh Academy Junior School and ESMS Junior School. But most of his career has been in his current role of Headmaster of The Compass School in Haddington. Here he has championed digital literacy, the arts, language learning and sport. Mr Becher is married with three children.  


The Compass School West Rd, Haddington EH41 3RD


The Edinburgh Academy

(2-18yrs)

Rector: Barry Welsh

(Since: 2017)



A keen Geographer, Mr Welsh attended Loughborough University. He then completed teacher training at Sheffield University. After teaching at Harrow School, be became Head of Geography at Fettes College. There followed two deputy headships at Shawnigan Lake School, Canada and at The Edinburgh Academy before becoming Rector. Mr Welsh is a keen mountaineer, who has scaled Cho Oyu, Tibet and Mount Everest in Nepal. He enjoys road biking and hill walking. He has two sons.


The Edinburgh Academy Senior School 42, Henderson Row, EH3 5BL

The Edinburgh Academy Junior School 10, Arboretum Road, EH3 5PL


Edinburgh Steiner School

(2-18yrs)

Head of School: Nick Brett

(Since: 2024)



This is Mr Brett’s first headship and he is Edinburgh Steiner School’s first Head of School. In over two decades’ at Edinburgh Steiner School, he has led the farming curriculum in partnership with Garvald Home Farm. He has also influenced the school’s management structure and direction. Among the subjects he has taught at the school are Games, Metalwork, R.E. and Music.  


Edinburgh Steiner School 60 Spylaw Rd, Edinburgh EH10 5BR


Fettes Prep School

(4.5-13yrs)

Head: Charlie Minogue

(Since: 2022)



Previously Headmaster of Moor Park School in Shropshire, Mr Minogue has taught at Aldwickbury School and St Paul’s Cathedral School. He obtained a BSc (Hons) in Biology from Newcastle University; a PGCE from York University and a MEd in Education Leadership from the University of Buckingham. An able musician, Mr Minogue was a choral scholar at Newcastle Cathedral and a Lay Clerk at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh. Other interests include cricket, hockey, climbing and ski-mountaineering. Married to Rebecca, he has two children. 


Fettes College Prep E Fettes Ave, Edinburgh EH4 1DL


George Heriot’s School

(4-18yrs)

Principal : Mr Gareth Warren

(Since: 2021)



Mr Warren’s first degree was in Pharmacology at University of Liverpool.  He then obtained a PGCE at University of Bristol and a Scottish Qualification for Headship and Post Graduate in Educational Leadership and Management at Edinburgh University. Previous roles include Principal at Morrison’s Academy, Crieff, and Deputy Head of George Watson’s College, Edinburgh. A sports enthusiast, he has coached rugby, hockey and cricket. He has also led school sailing expeditions in Edinburgh, Bermuda, and around the Peloponnese Islands.


George Heriot's School Lauriston Pl, Edinburgh EH3 9EQ


George Watson’s College

(3-18yrs)

Principal: Lisa Kerr

(Since: 2024)



After attending City of Edinburgh Music School, Ms Kerr read Music at the University of York. A successful first career in radio saw her working as a presenter and producer before moving into media management and consultancy. In 2017 she became the first female Principal of Gordonstoun School, Moray. She is married to John, a Royal Marines Reserves officer and skiing and mountain bike instructor. They have three children.


George Watson's College 69 Colinton Rd, Edinburgh EH10 5EG

Loretto School

(3-18yrs)

Head: Pete Richardson

(Since 2024)



Raised in South Africa, Mr Richardson read English Literature at the University of Kwazulu-Natal before gaining a PGCE from the University of South Africa. After moving to the UK, he taught English and History at Worksop College and Gordonstoun. Previous roles include: Vicegerent of Loretto School and Assistant Head Boarding at Gordonstoun. A keen sportsman, he is particularly fond of cricket. He is married to Mel and has two children at Loretto. 


Loretto School 1-7 Linkfield Rd, Musselburgh EH21 7RE

Erskine Stewart Melville

(3-18yrs)

Principal: Anthony Simpson

(Since: 2022)



Mr Simpson studied at the University of Bath and the Open University, gaining a Bachelors and Masters degree in Mathematics. After securing his PGCE, he taught at Giggleswick School, where he was Head of Mathematics. After working in senior management teams in the state sector, he returned to Giggleswick as the Senior Deputy Head. He enjoys coaching rugby, athletics and strength and conditioning, and helping with the CCF. Spare time is spent with his wife and daughters, or training and competing in triathlons and duathlons. 


Erskine Stewart Melville 3 Queensferry Rd, Edinburgh EH4 3EZ



Merchiston Castle School

(8-18yrs)

Head: Huw Jones

(Since: 2025)



Mr Jones read Geoscience at Royal Holloway, University of London. For his subsequent Masters in Education (St Edmund’s College, Cambridge) he looked at how schools can help build resilience in young people. Previously Deputy Head at Warminster School in Wiltshire,  he was Head of Geography at St Edward’s School, Oxford. He is married to Kerry, a teacher, and has two sons at Merchiston. 


The Forest at Merchiston

(3-8 yrs)

Headteacher: Davina Bowers

(Since: 2023)



Ms Bowers is a qualified Forest School leader and founder of Cando Beach School. She was previously Head of Nursery and Pre-Prep at Cargilfield School. Subsequently, whilst working as a teacher at The Edinburgh Academy, she developed the outdoor learning provision. Ms Bowers is the first headteacher of The Forest at Merchiston, a recent initiative that emphasises nature-based learning from Nursery to P7. She is married with three children. 



Merchiston Castle School & The Forest at Merchiston 294 Colinton Rd, Edinburgh EH13 0PU


St. George’s School

(3-18yrs)

Head: Carol Chandler-Thompson

(Since: 2022)



After reading History at the University of Exeter, she obtained a PGCE from St. Luke’s School of Education, University of Exeter. Previously, Mrs Chandler-Thompson was Head of Blackheath High School and Head of the Girls’ School at North London Collegiate in Jeju, South Korea. Prior to this, she taught History and Politics for many years and was Head of History and Politics at North London Collegiate. Mrs Chandler-Thompson and her wife Emma have a daughter who is a pupil at St George’s.


St George's School Garscube Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 6BG


Regius School

(5-14 yrs)

Head: Rachel Meldrum

(Since: 2018)



Ms Meldrum qualified as a primary school teacher in 2021. She then taught in primary schools across Scotland, and also home educated her children. She has been headteacher at Regius School since its inception in 2018. Rachel believes children should know who they are in Christ and aims to provide a nurturing environment in which children can thrive. She currently lives in Midlothian with her husband, Stephen and their five daughters.


Regius School 69A Whitehill St, Newcraighall, Musselburgh EH21 8QZ

Edinburgh Montessori Arts School

(1-18 yrs)

Principal & Founder: Emma Rattigan

(Since: 2006)



Ms Rattigan has worked as a Montessori teacher, trainer and examiner the world over. She also holds a PGCert in Collaborative Working Education and Therapy from Queen Margaret University. She is married with three children. 


Edinburgh Montessori Arts School 18N Liberton Brae, Edinburgh EH16 6AE


The Montessori Primary School

(6-12 yrs)

Principal & Founder: Patricia Thornton

(Since: 2023)



Before becoming a Montessori teacher, Ms Thornton worked as a chartered surveyor for a UK pension fund. She then jointly owned and ran a small tourism business in South East Asia. In 2010 she returned to Edinburgh. To obtain the Montessori Diploma in Early Years Education, her teaching practice was done at The Montessori Nursery School.  She then continued to work as Assistant Teacher, Teacher and Manager before acquiring The Montessori Nursery in 2017. She opened The Montessori School in 2023. 


​Montessori Primary School 3a Murrayfield Avenue EH12 6AU & 2b Ormidale Terrace EH12 6EQ


St Mary’s Music School

(9-18 yrs)

Head: Dr. Kenneth Taylor

(Since: 2013)



After completing a Phd in Chemistry at Edinburgh University, Dr Taylor initially worked in chemical research. He then taught Chemistry and Physics in three Edinburgh schools before becoming Head of Science at Peebles High School. His previous role was Depute Headteacher at Biggar High School. Dr Taylor plays the viola, piano and organ and enjoys performing with the Bach Ensemble of Edinburgh.  A keen runner, he also leads the school’s Running Club. 


St Mary's Music School 25 Grosvenor Cres, Edinburgh EH12 5EL


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