Schools

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.

Edinburgh Montessori Arts School reveals how guiding intrinsic motivation in the early years through autonomy, competence and relatedness builds independent, resilient learners.

The Forest at Merchiston hosts an Open Day on 21 March 2026 (9:30–11:30), inviting families to discover outdoor learning as the woodland wakes—nursery to P5 welcome.

Compass School in East Lothian welcomed the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills, Jenny Gilruth, on Thursday 5 Feb to one of its Growing Friendships intergenerational sessions in partnership with Our Community Kitchen (OCK). The visit highlighted the schools’ and organisations’ joint Excellence Award for Confronting Age Discrimination and Stereotypes. During the session, the Cabinet Secretary engaged fully with participants as they explored how life

Clifton Hall School: small class sizes, nurturing learning, and no entrance exams on 52 private acres near Edinburgh. Book a Stay and Play session.

Pupils using the new loose parts equipment in the playground: creativity, problem solving and collaboration skills in action. What’s the news about skills? As part of its Strategic Ambition 2025-2030, George Heriot’s School is focussing on three academic areas, the first of which is skills. Heriot’s is developing a Meta-Skills Framework, anchored in the existing 5Cs model (curious, collaborative, creative, caring, critical thinking). This will underpin a whole school pathway

Belhaven Hill School in Dunbar, Scotland unveils A Lifelong Companion, a film that shows how Belhaven's prep boarding education sparks lifelong friendships, love of learning, and lasting achievement.

Families are invited to see St Georges School in Action on Friday, 13 March 2026, 9:30 am–12 pm, with campus tours, lessons in action, boarding options, and clubs

Join Cargilfield Nursery on Friday, March 6th, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM for Play & Explore morning! 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!

George Watson’s College appoints Emma Lacroix as Director of Development to lead fundraising and engagement across the Watsonian community, drawing on 15+ years in education and philanthropy

Fettes College, a leading Edinburgh boarding and day school for ages 5-18, offers a world-class education on a stunning 100-acre campus. Discover how Fettes unlocks potential and prepares students for the future. Register for the Open Day on February 28th, 2026.

St Mary’s Music School invites families to its Chorister Pre-Audition Afternoon, a relaxed and welcoming introduction designed especially for P4 pupils who love to sing and are interested in becoming full-time choristers from September 2026. The event sits within the school’s celebrated chorister program, which offers children a unique combination of outstanding musical training, a first-class academic education, and participation in a centuries-old choral tradition. All chor

St Mary’s Music School hosts immersive taster days designed to give young musicians a genuine preview of life as a pupil. Slightly different from a standard open day, the school runs a number of instrumental taster days throughout the year, inviting aspiring players to join in a fun, interactive day of music. Pupils and visitors alike are encouraged to bring their instrument and dive into a world of melody and rhythm. Instrumental Taster Days These days are suitable for child

Discover Loretto Open Events: tour the 85-acre campus, meet staff, and learn how your child can thrive. RSVP for Junior School 27 Feb or Senior School 7 Mar.

Discover The Compass: Open Days in Autumn and Spring, with the next on 7 March 2026. Year‑round tours, priority admissions, and flexible start ages 4–12.

Make informed decisions about your child's education! This guide provides Edinburgh Open Day dates for 2026, 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.

Merchiston School invites families to Open House, a series of relaxed Friday afternoon visits offering an authentic glimpse of life on campus for both day and boarding pupils. Dates: 6 February, 13 March, 24 April, 2–4 PM. Register online via the site, or contact admissions@merchiston.co.uk with any questions.

P1/P2 Hive at Fettes Pre-Prep Open Afternoon Fettes Pre-Prep will host an Open Afternoon for the P1/P2 Hive on Friday 23 January from 3–4 pm. The event highlights how curiosity is encouraged, confidence is nurtured, and a love of learning begins within the Pre-Prep Years. Families will have the opportunity to meet the dedicated team, explore the welcoming classrooms, and experience the nurturing environment provided for the youngest pupils. This Open Afternoon offers a wonder

Clifton Hall School in Edinburgh hosts a free, adults-only workshop for families with children aged 3–6 on 30 April, 6–7 pm, covering phonics, early numeracy, outdoor learning, and readiness for primary education. Register via the contact form for Preparing for Primary One.

This January, George Heriot’s School launches its Strategic Ambition 2025-2030 to advance the School’s sector-leading status (awarded by Education Scotland), integrating its highly successful educational offer with leading edge academic and social research. Heriot’s strategic ambition 2025-2030 is structured across four pillars: Education, Sustainability, a Force for Good and Business; these will guide the School’s development and position at the forefront of Scottish educati

Two ways to discover Loretto School Musselburgh for Pre-Schoolers: join a Stay and Play session or attend Open Days. Book via the link or admissions@loretto.com.

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.

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.

Explore seven scholarship opportunities at Fettes College for 2026. Discover funding and academic excellence. Apply now for a transformative education.

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