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Time has come, George watsons or George Heriots?

46 replies

Eman83 · 06/10/2013 14:57

So I have two offers for pre school, George watsons and George Heriots, I have accepted both places and paid the fee so I have longer to decide.
Please can you give me any opinions on both schools! Anything from school buses to academics/sports.

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emma12344 · 06/10/2013 18:32

DH loathed George Watsons as a teenager. He is now 34 so things may have changed!

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Eman83 · 06/10/2013 21:38

What made him hate it so much? It's good to know peoples point of views!
I'm worried about size of school being too big and my son being just a number instead of a pupil

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Taz1212 · 06/10/2013 21:46

DS(11) just started at George Watson's in August (P7). He had also been accepted at Heriot's- my uncle went to Heriot's and I'd always assumed that if my kids got in there that that's where they'd be going! We had gone to both Open Mornings and DS liked both schools equally. He took the entrance exam at Heriot's first and was quite happy but after he took the exam at Watson's he walked out saying, "this is where I want to go to school!" I still don't know what happened to make him feel so strongly- he says he just liked the feel better.

I was quite worried about the size of the school but DS has jumped right in and absolutely loves it! I think it's one of the best decisions we have ever made- DS says it is THE best decision we've ever made. He loves the larger campus and is getting involved in all sorts of activities.

To be honest, I don't think you can go wrong with either school. The only downside I saw to Heriot's was the fact that their playing fields are out at Goldenacre which would have been a bit of a pain for DS, but we would have coped if he'd chosen that school.

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kaumana · 08/10/2013 21:37

I think you'll be happy with either of your choices. Things to consider perhaps are: which one is nearer to you, any local children attending one or the other ( easy for playdates) etc. GWC is one campus and yes it is a big school but can offer a HUGE range of clubs and extra curricular activities on their door step. Also has fantastic Learning Support and great pastoral care.

Trust me on this, neither school bares a resemblance to what they were decades ago.

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Musicaltheatremum · 10/10/2013 14:37

I was a Heriots parent for 15 years. Great school. I chose it because it was easier to get to than Watsons. Lots of change going on with a new head of Junior school and head of whole school too. They both give a great education. Heriots is a lot smaller though with just over 1500 pupils.

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Eman83 · 10/10/2013 16:55

I don't want to sound materialistic when I write this but il explain what I can.

I loved Heriots primary but I was a little worried regarding facilities in the senior school compared to watsons as it seemed a bit dated. How are they when it comes to upgrading facilities, or. Computing?

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GrooveeCar · 10/10/2013 17:17

What one do you feel is the right one?

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Eman83 · 10/10/2013 17:34

I honestly like both. I didn't like watsons at first because the whole iPad thing in primary I couldn't understand. The facilities are amazing especially once they get to secondary. They are equally as good in academics according to tables but also giving my child the choice of other subjects if not very academic. Heriots gave me a fantastic feel especially in the junior years, I liked the discipline that showed from a young age however their facilities seem a little run down which could be uninspiring maybe in sone subjects?

Do you have experience with any? I feel in limbo at the moment.

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12Poppyfield · 10/10/2013 19:42

I saw your earlier post about getting an offer for Heriots nursery / wondering if anyone else had children starting there - sounded like your mind was made up then, just wondering what happened in the interim to make you rethink? From everything I can gather there's not much to choose between the two schools and both are great options, so it's a nice position to be in!

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Eman83 · 10/10/2013 20:48

Watsons open day made me rethink as to what the right decision is.
Trying to get as much info as possible on each school.
I'm very fortunate to be in this position and am thankful to be offered places at both.

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kaumana · 10/10/2013 21:21

Perhaps go back to the schools and ask what choice of subjects they offer in senior school, languages in Junior school etc.

You can always change schools, though it can be hard to find a space in certain years.

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meep · 11/10/2013 12:11

I have had a DC in the preschool at Watson's. They settled really quickly and there were no tears or not wanting to go (after a year at a private nursery where she cried every morning).

I think they are looking to expand languages for P3 onwards - to French and Spanish.

I have no complaints about the new head of the primary school - she talks well and passionately about the school and the children.

The wrap around and holiday care is excellent and very nurturing.

The staff in the nursery, school and wrap around care seem to really know the children and there is a real family feeling to the school.

The parents are really sociable - and there are lots of get togethers whether just class parents or the whole year.

It is a very big school. In primary the classes are divided into different areas. In each area there is a p1,p2 and p3 - like a mini school within the school, so it is not too overwhelming. I have to say my DC was very shy - but has turned into a very confident self assured little person .

I don't know Heriots personally, but know plenty of parents who are really happy with it. And it is much easier to get to if you work in town.

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pinkclouds333 · 12/10/2013 23:17

I went to Watson's from age 5 - 18. In my experience, if you are good at something (which I was), you are okay. However, if you are in the middle and don't particularly shine, you just become a number. This was certainly the case with two of my siblings. We had 200 people in my year!!

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emma12344 · 13/10/2013 16:48

Pink clouds - exactly what my DH said about Watsons. He thought they chased winners and that very many with potential that was perhaps less obvious were just left to flounder. He felt it was too big and impersonal and pretty snobby.

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Eman83 · 13/10/2013 17:32

Thank you to everyone who has commented.

I think at the moment I am leaning more towards Heriots despite the times being not very good but I will find a way to make it work if I feel it's the right school for my children.
Size Is a big thing when it comes to school and that is the only thing that puts me off watsons a little.

Not ruling it out yet as going to see them both on a working day.

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ANC1 · 31/03/2017 12:11

Eman83 - just wondered what your final decision was as we are looking at both schools.

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yoyo1234 · 02/04/2017 18:40

ANC1 I was looking at the 2 (and Stewart Melvilles). Out of the 2 you are looking at I prefered Watson's. Heriot's head teacher/principal ( who we had an interview) with I could not stand.

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EdinburghPS · 03/04/2017 18:10

Interesting comment yoyo(?!) 😐 Wondering why you could not stand him?

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yoyo1234 · 03/04/2017 21:08

Edinburgh PS:
4 separate issues arose at interview.

Discussing finance at a level I felt inappriopriate with an exceptionally clued up (and easy to worry) 10 year old present.
One 10 year old being seemingly criticised to another 10 year old (and they're best friends!).
We felt he was criticising other schools.
Will PM you as might be identifying if you wish.

Our refusal of a place at Heriots when offered was an easy decision. Conversely though the teachers at the open day were lovely.

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EdinburghPS · 04/04/2017 07:06

Yes please Pm me

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tribal · 06/04/2017 16:25

We looked at both (plus others) as we had "connections" with both. As has been said earlier they both have similar academic results. My dc hated Heriots for a number of reasons, it was dated, dark and for some classes you had to go through other classrooms. At Watsons while a bigger school it felt more open and less oppressive. And with a bigger school you get more opportunities and subject choices. For a child interested in music Heriots did not seem to offer the opportunities that Watsons offered. However things do change and you have to go with what suits your children and which is most convenient for transport. We didn't choose either we went for another similar school that dc "fell in love with".

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ANC1 · 06/04/2017 19:20

Many thanks tribal and yoyo1234 for your comments. Taking it all on board with travel and what suits our little person best.

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TattiesAnHerrin · 06/04/2017 21:48

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coffeeCamelCase · 06/04/2017 22:05

Because all of the 1 in 4 Edinburgh children who are educated privately are entitled arseholes with no local friends, and all public schools are exactly the same. Oh, wait...

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Northernlurker · 06/04/2017 22:11

Dh went to Watson's on an assisted place. He is still in touch with a good friend who is now a good friend of mine too. It would be hard to find two less 'entitled' people if you tried for some years. Watson's gave them a lot of opportunities. Like all schools it has strengths and weaknesses.