Heriots or Watsons

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Hello I have two sons, age 8 and 10. We plan to move them to either GHeriots or G Watsons, in Edinburgh. We are lucky to be in a position to have offers to both schools for the older child and to GW for the younger. (They told us it was due to lack of class space in GH that our younger son didnt get in this year and to try again in next couple of years as if older sibling there this gives them priority and the class size increases up the school.

We are finding it very hard to choose between the schools.

Our older son I would say is academically bright, dont want to sound braggy but teacher presently tells us he is top in class for maths / subjects etc. He also really loves readings and sports particuarly football.

Younger son is similar perhaps more sporty / slightly less academically minded so might need a little more support to get on with class work but teachers presently have no worries and are happy with his progress, he loves fencing which I dont think heriots has?

There are a children from their present class school likely to go to GWatsons and it is the more local, closer school. But I cant get away from the better results Heriots gets academically and the smaller size of the school, but the facillities at GW do seem more impressive.

Do people have experiences to share to help us decide?
Does GW push the brighter pupils to excell? Does all of the sports become a distraction from getting good grades and is there much bullying? (as you read online). Is there strong STEM teaching?

Many thanks, sorry for the essay!

Both schools are good. My kids were at Heriot's but have been left 10 years now so lots of changes. Watson's have slightly longer holidays. Heriot's keep in more with local authority. I have colleagues with children at both. Honestly although Heriot's gets the better results I think children will do well at both. I chose Heriot's over Watsons as the bus route was easier and there were neighbours I could share lifts with. I also felt the schools pastoral care was excellent. But that could well have changed now. They have had a bit of instability with several head teachers over the last few years. But now have a new one in place. I think you could toss a coin and not be wrong. Good luck

Thank you so much for the reply! I have joked to my husband about tossing a coin too....! Thats helpful and actually hearing that makes me feel a bit less pressured that one is right the other wrong... so thank you

Our DS is at Watson's in S5. He's more sporty than academic so is very active in the rugby crowd.

Although they do spend a lot of time playing and training for rugby, in his set they want to do well and get good marks in exams - which they'll need to do to have any chance of attending uni in Scotland as a private pupil.

He's very happy there and there's lots of different sets, so there's a big emphasis on drama if that's your thing and a very popular Dungeons and Dragons club. I think most people find their set, but of course as with every school, it won't suit every DC.

They have loads of opportunities for foreign travel, new experiences everything really. I think we made a good choice sending him there - we didn't look as closely at Heriots mainly because Watsons was a better location commuting wise for us.

Likely anecdotal but know of a few kids who’ve had a very poor experience at GW in the senior years. Of course it might be coincidental. And things can change. On the other hand I’ve heard that GH has been very supportive of kids who’ve struggled emotionally.

Might be worth asking on Scotsnet for more advice.