Schools

Discover Clifton Hall School's Nursery! Explore a nurturing environment for children aged 3-5 at our Stay & Play session. Explore our garden, playrooms, and Forest Kindergarten. Arrange a personalised visit today.

Join Cargilfield Nursery on Friday, January 30th and Friday, March 6th, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM for Play & Explore mornings! Discover our nurturing environment, meet our Early Years team, and see how we foster confidence and curiosity in children under 5. Book your spot today!

Cargilfield School and Nursery Open Days • Open Morning: Friday, January 16th, 2026, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm. Experience a regular school morning with tours, meetings, and a look at lessons and activities. • Nursery Play & Explore Mornings: Friday, January 30th & Friday, March 6th, 2026, 9:30 am - 11:00 am. Relaxed sessions for prospective nursery parents to meet the team and explore the spaces. Both events require booking through a provided form.

Discover why adolescents thrive with "Research Through Experience." This innovative educational approach, rooted in neuroscience, transforms learning by connecting teens with meaningful work and challenges, leading to deeper understanding and engagement.

On Friday, 27 February 2026, Erskine Stewart Melville will host 'Tea, Talk & Tour,' an intimate event designed to provide families with a unique opportunity to experience the school and gain insights into its community. This event is specifically tailored for families seeking a relaxed environment to engage in conversations, ask questions, and discover what life is like at Erskine Stewart Melville. Attendees will be welcomed into the Principal's Study for refreshments and di

St George's Little Dragons Nursery offers a childcentered, play-based preschool experience in Edinburgh. The nursery provides flexible hours, specialist teaching, and focuses on each child's individual progress, preparing them for school in a supportive environment. The nursery also emphasises strong parent partnerships. Registration is now open for the P1 Play Assessment on January 9, 2026.

At St George’s, girls thrive in a nurturing, confidence-building environment that offers early leadership opportunities and strong support throughout every stage. The S1 entrance assessments are scheduled for Friday, 16 January, and Tuesday, 20 January 2026. For a clear, simple overview of what to expect, readers can take a look at the article linked here 👉 The article includes information on assessment formats, criteria beyond test results, the school's welcoming process

In November, the school shared a first look at the new Erskine Stewart Melville Uniform with families. These designs are the result of months of collaboration across their entire community, incorporating ideas and feedback from current and former students, parents, staff, and friends of the Schools. The result is a modern uniform that honours the shared heritage while reflecting the values of the School today. The new uniform will be phased in from August 2026, coinciding wit

How well do you know your Edinburgh independent schools? Here's a quick quiz for the festive season, with one question about 14 independent schools in Edinburgh and the Lothians. We start with some "give me" questions.... Tony Blair, the former British Prime Minister, is perhaps one of the most famous alumnus of which school located in Edinburgh? Which all-boys school is the only one of its kind in Edinburgh and Scotland? Which school moved in 1898 from Trinity in Edinburgh t

Clifton Hall School is thrilled to announce that one of its pupils, Alex, has been named the overall winner of a Christmas card design competition hosted by Christine Jardine, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West. The competition was open to pupils throughout Scotland, and Alex's exceptional design earned her the top prize. Alex's winning artwork will be featured as Christine Jardine's official Christmas card, which will be distributed to local businesses, charities, MPs, a

Considering Merchiston Castle School's Junior years (The Forest)? Assessments for P1 (5yrs) to P5 (9yrs) entry in August 2026 take place in January 2026. Apply online and attend assessments on January 23rd or 24th.

Neil Tomlin OBE is appointed as the new Headmaster of Belhaven Hill School, starting August 2026. Learn about Neil's background, including his previous headship at Hall Grove, military career, and plans for Belhaven.

Clifton Hall School earns Gold in the Woodland Trust's Green Tree Schools Award! Celebrating student involvement in tree planting, woodland exploration, sustainability projects, and nature-inspired creativity. Proud of our pupils' commitment to outdoor learning across all year groups.

Find information on primary and secondary schools in and around Edinburgh. Details include Headteachers, Principals, Rectors, and Heads of School, appointment dates, educational backgrounds, and previous experience.

Children, staff and parents at The Compass School have recently raised over £1500 in aid of the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity by holding a ‘Heroes’ Day in school. Inspired by the school’s Pupil Council, children were encouraged to come to school dressed as their favourite hero and to list five key facts about them. These ‘heroes included sportsmen & women, explorers and adventures, emergency workers and members of the armed forces, story writers and members of their o

Edinburgh Montessori Arts School (EMAS) fosters linguistic diversity, celebrating over 21 languages alongside English. They nurture children's first languages, promoting emotional expression and identity through multilingual activities. From Nursery to High School, EMAS offers French immersion, Spanish, and other language choices, enhancing cognitive skills, cultural empathy, and global connection. Learn more about their approach!

Dollar Academy is uniquely placed to offer a high-quality Triathlon Programme, with the surrounding landscape providing an ideal setting for swimming, cycling and running. The programme is led by Sean McFarlane, one of Scotland’s leading long-distance triathletes and adventure racers. With 23 Ironman races and multiple podium finishes, he brings extensive experience as both an elite athlete and a coach. To support talented pupils, scholarship funding is available for boarding

Simon Brian, Head, St Leonards School, St Andrews Calls for Repeal Following Front-Page Coverage in The Scotsman St Leonards School has issued a statement today following last week’s front-page coverage in The Scotsman, in which Head, Mr Simon Brian, speaks out against the UK Government’s decision to impose VAT on independent school fees. Describing the policy as a “live experiment” being conducted on children’s education, Mr Brian has called on national leaders to urgently r

Saint Andrew’s Orthodox Church School in Newington, Edinburgh, offers a classical education with a Christian ethos. With a focus on academics, arts, and outdoor activities, our micro school fosters well-rounded students in a nurturing environment. Full-time and flexi-schooling options available. Applications for Term 2 starting in January are now open!

Edinburgh Steiner School: Holistic education fostering emotional, spiritual, physical, and academic growth. Offers a creative, academically rigorous curriculum, delaying formal learning until age seven. Provides screen-free classrooms, stable teacher relationships, and specialist subjects. Admissions accepted year-round. Book your tour today!

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.

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.

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

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

St Leonards School has announced the launch of an exciting new pre-university Postgraduate (PG) Year. This programme, the first of its kind in Scotland, is  designed to bridge the gap between school and university. Beginning in August 2026, the PG Year  will offer students aged 17–19 a structured yet flexible opportunity to consolidate their academic strengths, develop independence, and prepare with purpose for life beyond school. The St Leonards Postgraduate Year is designed

The Compass School ,Haddington are thrilled to report that at the Scottish Intergenerational Conference & Excellence Awards 2025 in Inverness last week, The Compass School and Our Community Kitchen were presented with an Excellence Award for their work in 'Confronting Age Discrimination & Stereotypes'. This prestigious award recognises the incredible work and success of the inter-generational partnership which began in early 2024 between The Compass School and Our Community

St Leonards School partners with ProDreamUSA, the leading college golf placement specialists, to provide talented young golfers with unparalleled opportunities to study and compete in the US. Benefit from expert guidance, access to scholarships, and a clear pathway to combine academics and top-level golf. Learn more about this exciting collaboration!

Fairview International School, Stirling Scotland, caters to students aged 5-18, offering an uninterrupted International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum education. This covers the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). 

Author: Dollar Academy Dollar Academy Campus Clackmannanshire-based Dollar Academy  has proudly been named  Top Private School in Europe...

St Mary's Music School in Edinburgh offers world-class music and academic education for talented young musicians aged 9-19. With a focus on musical potential and supported by funding, the school provides a vibrant and inclusive environment, preparing students for future success in music and beyond.

Author: Edinburgh Steiner School LET THERE BE LIGHT Edinburgh Steiner School What is the purpose of education? Is it to prepare young...

Merchiston Castle School partners with The Anchor Practice to provide on-site therapy and mental health support for pupils and staff, enhancing its commitment to wellbeing.

St Leonards School celebrates outstanding GCSE results! With record-breaking grades, including 96% of entries graded 9-4, students are well-prepared for future success. Discover academic excellence at St Leonards.

Regius School is an independent Christian school supporting children from P1-S2. They offer small class sizes, individualized attention, and a nurturing environment that values each student. With flexi-schooling options, Regius fosters creativity through expressive arts, outdoor learning, and the cultivation of Christian values.

Start your school search with confidence! This guide offers 101 essential questions to help you evaluate schools, identify your needs, and find the perfect environment for your child.

George Heriot’s is Scotland’s leading independent school, welcoming children aged 4 to 18 to thrive in a happy, caring, and stimulating environment. Located on a landmark Edinburgh campus, Heriot's fosters a strong sense of community rooted in care and respect. Founded in 1628 with a commitment to philanthropy, Heriot's continues to support its students through specialist guidance and financial aid. With a focus on individual attention and a unique Learning Enhancement progra

Discover Dollar Academy, a leading independent school in Scotland, providing exceptional education for over 200 years! With a 'sector-leading' standard of care, outstanding academics, and a wide range of co-curricular activities, Dollar prepares students for success at top universities. Explore our stunning 70-acre campus and boarding options. Open Day: September 6, 2025. Learn more at www.dollaracademy.org.uk.

Author: St. George's School, Edinburgh St. Georges School Science Group Where your girl is known by name and by nature If you’re just...

Loretto offers more than just an education – it's a place where every child and their talents are nurtured. You are warmly invited to...

Fettes College announces Richard Girvan as its new Head, effective September 2026. Learn more about the incoming leader and the future of Fettes.

Make informed decisions about your child's education! This guide provides Edinburgh Open Day dates for 2025, giving you the opportunity to visit schools and learn more. Find the perfect independent school for your child in South, West, North Edinburgh, East Lothian, and beyond.

St Leonards School, a leading independent school based in St Andrews, is proud to announce its official sponsorship of the Junior Tour...

Exceptional IB results at St Leonards School! The Class of 2025 shines with impressive scores and university placements worldwide. Read more about their achievements.

Newtongrange Primary School Gold Award Pupils at one Midlothian school have even more reason to celebrate the end of a successful...

Belhaven Hill School, near Edinburgh, offers full boarding at highly competitive fees for British Armed Forces families (10% of published fees after CEA). Boasting exceptional pastoral care, a wide range of activities (including outdoor pursuits and a new Digital Makerspace), and a strong sense of community, Belhaven provides a supportive and enriching environment for children, ensuring stability and a happy home-from-home. Learn more and schedule a visit.

The Compass School proudly retains its UNICEF Gold Rights Respecting School status! This achievement reflects years of dedicated work embedding children's rights across the school community. Contact Headmaster Mr. Becher at 01620 822642 for more information.

John Blain brings two decades of international and first-class expertise to the school. The Edinburgh Academy announced the appointment...