Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Insiders view on strengths/weaknesses of Edinburgh independents?

29 replies

neverknowinglyunderdressed · 09/05/2011 17:06

Have been to look around GH, SM, GW and EA and visiting F this week. I generally felt that they all seemed much of a muchness, so difficult to choose. Is each school 'known' for something ie one is more academic, one more arty/sporty etc? If I knew what differentiated them - it might be easier to match that up to my DTS.

Also we are not 'posh' would like to know that we will 'fit in' too.

Its bad to decide based on the colour of the uniform isnt it? Grin

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Scottishmumof4 · 15/04/2018 01:19

Wouldn’t touch Fettes with a barge pole - kids are currently at another Edinburgh school and have to be honest - we were surprised (and delighted) with the children that have left and were accepted by Fettes. Badly behaved, disruptive and taking up significantly more teachers’ time than they should be. Get the feeling Fettes prep is pretty desperate.

towerfarm · 15/12/2011 19:07

are you pleased with fettes? is your child boarding? if he/she is day pupil is it a problem? we want to have our child board but looking at english boarding schools now. any info great help

Spiderspotter · 17/11/2011 00:03

Hello 1666 - how are your children enjoying Fettes?

1666 · 21/10/2011 21:24

I don't know what age of children neverknowinglyunderdressed was asking about, but certainly there didn't appear to be any waiting lists or problem with entry for Fettes at the age of 13, my son is now in the fifth form there and both of the children from his prep school (the only two applicants from the school) were offered places.

mani83 · 24/06/2011 22:04

I have a 15 month oold son and have his name down for EA and GH. I like both but I know GH has Neenah number one for higher exam results in Scotland last year

claire201 · 11/05/2011 19:28

I actually feel very guilty about being nasty! I tried to delete my post but couldn't work out how! oh well! I am sure Fettes will be delighted to have two more academic geniuses to add to the three hundred others! the might even get a bursary they are so bright!

cuckooclock · 11/05/2011 17:28

OP has vanished, wonder if she was lying about how bright her dc were?

claire201 · 10/05/2011 22:46

Flip, you are the same half wit who was going to lie on cv. Bonkers.

kaumana · 10/05/2011 21:58

Actually that being said, I think you know exactly what you are doing. Very interesting going over your posts.

kaumana · 10/05/2011 21:30

I don't think you are aware that we can check your previous posts. Please don't waste time from people that need genuine advice.

curiouscate · 10/05/2011 19:24

The sort of parent who chooses a school for their dc based on architecture is rather shortsighted IMO. A parent who chooses the school based on the strengths & ethos of the school and interests of their dc is one who cares about their education and wants the best for them.

I love the look of Fettes on the Edinburgh skyline, very impressive but wouldn't send my kids there in a million years.

kaumana · 10/05/2011 17:31

Regarding entry into P4 I think you'll find there are waiting lists for years P3 and above in most of the fore mentioned schools. As you have not mentioned your children sitting any entrance exams I assume they will sit for next years entry and therefor will be behind those who are curently on the waiting list.

Ps I think you are a bit mad

claire201 · 10/05/2011 17:12

Regardless of how bright your children are it is a very arrogant and tasteless thing to say!! completely off putting. Also you are setting yourself up to look like an idiot if your children don't excel! poor kids. I don't know anything about you but anyone who has been well brought up and attended public school themselves would know not to say something so cocky. Did you go to Leith Academy yourself and now have a bit of an inferiority complex????

Original poster
neverknowinglyunderdressed · 10/05/2011 16:59

Claire - I didn't say that they were brighter than the other children at the school. Just that they are v bright.

NL - Why is it unlikely that my kids are brighter than any others? I'm 'in' to architecture, if all things were equal with two schools and one had a nicer building, it would sway me. Wink

OP posts:
Northernlurker · 10/05/2011 16:44

Oh dear - Edinburgh is full of bright kids and bright parents looking at schools. I think it's very unlikely your children are brighter than any others.

The 'dramatic buildings' thing is v funny though. You were trying to make us laugh weren't you? Nobody would seriously decide where they were spending thousands of pounds on education based on the stonework....would they?

claire201 · 10/05/2011 16:40

how do you know your children are brighter than the other children already at the school?? I will hopefully not run into you at the school sports day! yuck.

kaumana · 10/05/2011 16:38

Your drawbacks include "no dramatic buildings" . Are you having a laugh?!

AMumInScotland · 10/05/2011 13:46

I know there's a huge amount of angst about picking schools - but your gut feeling is probably as good a way to choose as any, when you're picking between schools that are all pretty good anyway.

Original poster
neverknowinglyunderdressed · 10/05/2011 12:38

When I went to look around before, GH (difficult location and no sports pitches) and EA (no dramatic buildings) were my favourites, but with those drawbacks. But, I don't really know why, just a vague feeling. Shouldn't it be a bit more scientific?

OP posts:
Original poster
neverknowinglyunderdressed · 10/05/2011 12:32

Oh, thought it might be of the 'super rich but average' variety! Grin

OP posts:
AMumInScotland · 10/05/2011 11:48

They are all selective!

Original poster
neverknowinglyunderdressed · 10/05/2011 11:36

Is Fettes selective?

OP posts:
Original poster
neverknowinglyunderdressed · 10/05/2011 08:20

Actually looking for entry in P4, (posted here as thought more traffic) so also considering Cargilfield. Will prob get to choose, kids v bright.

OP posts:
claire201 · 09/05/2011 22:08

I have friends with children in smc, not overly impressed and has put me off sending my dd next sept to the nursery. I have been told heriots better, but bit of a pain to get too, also st georges has a good rep for girls. Also thinking about cargilfield as it is small which is appealing.

kaumana · 09/05/2011 22:02

RE GWC sport - only swimming has been affected with the redevelopment.

Update below

www.gwc.org.uk/our-school/george-watsons-college-centre-for-sport/

crazycarol - has a given a good breakdown. Take heed of her last paragraph.