Scottish prep schools

[itsawonderfuldarleneconnorlife]

Does anyone have any knowledge of Ardvreck, Cargilfield, Belhaven Hill or St Mary's Melrose prep schools?

Can PM me if you'd prefer.

Would highly recommend Cargilfield. Smashing prep, great academics and extra curric and because of the Edinburgh 3-18 school competition it really pulls out all the stops. Sends all over the country to good schools. I know the Head at Belhaven because DS was at Beeston Hall when he was head there. Couldn't want a better Head or Head's wife but it is his last job - don't know if that's good or bad. The school is uber posh and very old aristocracy which can be difficult if you are not from that set. If you fit in with that then fine. Cargilfield academics and extra curric are stronger and parents are a mix of professionals and aristos but Belhaven is very much a boarding school.

I wouldn't consider the other two over C and BH.

Thanks.

I have a friend with a DS at Ardvreck and he loves it there. His parents are very happy with it too.

The only other one I know is St. Marys but only becasue I live near there. It seems popular, but then there is not much cchoice in the borders.

It rather depends what you are after. Both Bellhaven and Ardvreck are very cosy, fun schools, which provide a nurturing environment but teach the children lots of independence. Loads of building dams in the woods and going ski-ing because it has just snowed. Academically great too, with children going to all the major Scottish schools plus many of the major English ones too. Cargillfield is a powerhouse - lots of pushy parents with their sights set on English public schools. This means that the facilities are great (all those donations), academics great, but it doesn't seem as friendly or warm as Ardvreck. I'd echo the comment about St Mary's - the best in the Borders.