EDI private or public school?

[LaMI]

Hello Jedi ot UK education. I am planning to move to Edinburgh area (South East) and would like to have some info about the schooling. My daughter is 11 and currently in a German IB school (grade 5) which means she'll start the secondary next August. I have done some research and seen that "on paper" the best school right now are Boroughmuir, Gillespie George Watson College and Loretto. My daughter doesn't know anything about UK curriculum (IB is completely different) and is very much into art and performance. Saying so would you recommend a private or a state school, which would you consider "faster" to adapt at? TIA :)

You’d probably be better posting this in Scotsnet. Having said that, if the IB Diploma is a consideration, Watson’s used to offer it (over S5/S6) and while it is on hold this year, it might be reintroduced next year.

I did A levels in a private Scottish School and they didn’t really understand enough about how they worked to teach it very well. One subject was introduced for ALevel that year and no one in the very bright class who took it got an A. I would have a close look at results and talk to families of alums if possible. I wouldn’t risk being the first year or two of a newly introduced IB either if the school haven’t done it before.

As she is starting secondary it is a very good point to start the curriculum whatever school you choose. Questions to ask are can you afford private and how easy is it to get from your home to your chosen school. Don't under estimate Edinburgh traffic in rush hour. Go and visit your short list and get a feel of the school. You will know if it has the right feel / ethos for your daughter. Ask schools what languages they teach. Sounds like German might be an easy option but many schools do French and some offer a choice.

When you say Edinburgh area (south east) is there an area you definitely want to live? For boroughmuir or james gillespies you will need to live in catchment to get in, these are quite central areas of the city really, though boroughmuir does stretch south to the bypass almost in one specific area (maps here: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/file/637/non-denominational_secondary_school_catchment_areas

there is a specific local authority school with performance/music specialism (broughton high which is in the north of the city), for private schools i think ESMS school (single sex mary erskine's for secondary until sixth year) has a very musical reputation. watson's has a stronger sports reputation. I think loretto might be strong for music too, is the only school you mention that's in the east.

watson's has a stronger sports reputation.

They do have a strong sports reputation but are also very good with the arts- thriving music and art schools with lots of instrumental groups and choirs and extra-curricular art clubs. Their Drama department also has lots of extra-curricular activities plus House Drama etc. It’s a big school which might be a negative but does mean it has lots going on in all,sorts of different areas.

Have you ruled out Heriot’s?

If you want a state school you have to live in the catchment area. There is no way around that.

Mary Erksine also very strong for arts and performance, with better academic results than Watson’s as far as I can recall. The schools you have listed are indeed very good, but fairly scattered throughout the city and you have excluded a number of excellent (particularly private) schools. Agree with the above posters; try Scotsnet, and don’t underestimate the traffic (a nightmare).

Just a heads up, it can be hard to get a place at very popular schools if you move into the area when it's not normal admissions time (in England applications are in October for the following September). Top private schools can also be full but you can apply from abroad unlike state school who need you to be resident at the time of application

Personally I don’t think there is a lot of difference between MES and Watson’s in terms of academics and activities, my dds went to one of them. I would say you can’t decide without visiting schools, they do have a different feel to them. Watson’s is mixed while MES is single sex until sixth form, although there are close links with SMC, the other half of ESMS. Both Watson’s and ESMS are owned by the Edinburgh Merchants Company so are in a sense sharing some of their philosophies. Location is important but both run school buses which take some of the sting out of the school run. Loretto is much more expensive and pitched towards boarders as well as, I think, doing English rather than Scottish qualifications.

I think the area closed will be closed to Bonnyrigg so indeed I have to think about traffic that could be a very big nightmare. I considered the school as per location distance to Bonnyrigg, but I am sure there are much more (probably can only consider private as per catchment area) As far as I know there is a state High school close there. No idea about how it is. I don't mind both Private or state are good for me as far as the state have good reputation and not big bullying problem. My daughter spend her whole academy life in private school as we moved a lot (every 3 years) her main language is English not Italian or German at all. Close to bonnyrigg what other school would you recommend? Thanks

So if Bonnyrigg, you could be looking at your DD getting the train from Eskbank into town? If so, Heriot’s should be on your list to look at as it’s an easy walk from Waverley and loads of children commute by train.

Or Watson’s run a school bus with several stops in Bonnyrigg though as you can see here it is a popular service!

Bonnyrigg is not in Edinburgh, it’s in Midlothian so it would be even more unlikely that you would get a school place at Boroughmuir or Gillespie’s and travel to them would be very difficult. There is no convenient bus and traffic is horrendous if driving. Traffic round that part of Midlothian has got ridiculous over the last few years with huge numbers of houses being built with no road improvements.
Beeslack High School in Penicuik has a very good reputation and Lasswade High School is also good I think, they are Midlothian schools and Bonnyrigg is in Lasswade’s catchment area.
ESMS and Loretto run buses to Bonnyrigg.

Thanks a lot for your advice, really appreciated! Will go and check out how this schools are and Loretto maybe still on the list. Hope the traffic is manageable. Thanks a lot!