Heriots vs Firrhill

[zumbamumi]

Hello! So pleased to find an Edinburgh forum! I would welcome any thoughts about one of the hardest decisions I'll ever make :(

I have two boys 9 and 6. Very different so no school would be perfect for both, I don't think. 9 year old dyslexic but bright, average academic performance and shy. Sort of boy that will attract bullies IMO. 6 year old - very academic, not shy. We can afford to send them to private school. Although this may seem lucky, having the choice is agony! Both currently happy in state primary.

Any views on what school you would pick if you were in my shoes? My husband and I both went to state schools so we have no experience of private schools. We were impressed though at the recent Heriots open day......

Not sure which school would support dyslexia most (although is mild), which one has less bullying etc etc.

They are attending for assessments next week at Heriots so depending on that, might not even have a choice. We decided to let them sit them, make the decision later....

Would love any views, good or bad! Particularly interested to hear from anyone with kids at these school :)

I don't know either of these schools personally, but I wouldn't assume that a private school will have less bullying for your ds1.

If you want to help your dyslexic son, many friends have moved to Watsons as they have a superb department to support pupils with extra needs.

Bullying happens everywhere regardless. It's about speaking up to the school to get it sorted out as soon as and have the bullies spoken to and made aware that it's not acceptable.

I agree with Groovee, I would certainly take a look at Watsons. I have a friend whose son has dyslexia and they moved him to Heriots in P6 and he is finding it a bit of a struggle doesn't seem to be getting much support at all from what I gather.

Thanks for the comments so far :) I think I've been put off Watsons as it's bigger, but perhaps I shouldn't have been . Plus I know a child that says he hates his school (Watsons) :( that did sway me a bit!!

I know bullying can happen anywhere, hoping to hear which school has the better anti-bullying policy or any positive experiences :)

Just wish I had a crystal ball LOL!

Watsons has (or did have) a fantastic reputation for teaching kids with dyslexia. When my sister was in 6th year there she used to help out & scribe in exams for the unit. The teacher in charge of the unit at the time (almost certainly gone now!) used to get invited to speak at conferences worldwide. So in my opinion it is definitely worth a second look. Different schools suit different kids. Some schools say that they support kids with dyslexia but the reality is that they don't always get enough help.

I know a bright kid who was at Heriots (was there from nursery) but didn't do very well academically at all. I am not convinced they got the help that was needed.

If it was me I would be asking the senior schools what sort of numbers they have with dyslexia and what sort of exam results those kids achieve. That should give you an idea of which school can support your ds best.

Really useful info :)

My dyslexic son was at Heriot's years ago and I found the discipline rather OTT on occasions. He found it difficult to remember to go to his learning support sessions but Ii he did not turn up or was late, he was heavily criticised. I must emphasise that that was years ago and I do not know what the learning support is like now. Heriot's results are very, very good now because they are so highly selective. I did not consider Watson's after school staff mistook my son's birth date, offered him a place in the wrong year then were unwilling to check the facts in order to put the mistake right. The attitude was positively arrogant. Again, this was a number of years ago. Edinburgh Academy is a lot smaller than either Watson's or Heriot's if you wanted to look elsewhere for a comparison, but has a positive atmosphere and good facilities.

I think I'm leaning towards Firrhill!

I have heard that Heriots is quite elitist and does not encourage children that require extra support. Our DS is at Watsons and it seems like a great school and very welcoming to all ( provided you get your application in on time and pay the fees) but we don't have any special requirements.

Our neice goes to state school ( not in Edinburgh) and has received great support for the additional tuition and support requirements that she has, I think in some ways the state schools are much more geared up for children who need this.

Mine are currently at Heriots.
Fabulous anti-bullying policy.
Excellent support for dyslexia (DD's, BestF)
Fabulous pastoral support.

We also turned down Watson's. Too big.

Firrhill; know this school very well too. Good but some social problems as all the state schools tend to have.

Pacific thank you! Great to hear a positive story :)

Forgot to say.....Heriots academically excellent too.

I really think it is the best school ever. For lots of reasons I know a lot about many of the Edinburgh schools so I don't say that lightly.

:)

"...some social problems as all the state schools tend to have."

Pacific, what a horrible judgemental thing to say about all state schools.
You sound like a terrible snob.

I am delighted to be avoiding private school parents like you. The values you must be passing onto your children are frightful.

I went to Firrhill (a long, long time ago ) and it wasn't the best school then, but I personally got a good education and went on to a Russell Group University, as did most of my peers - it was a tiny 6th year though.

However, everything I hear about the school these days is very good. There is a wide social mix and yes, there will be some social problems. That doesn't mean it will affect your child's education. There are social problems at private schools too.

I flat out don't believe any comment that a school has no bullying. The best you can ask is that the culture is anti-bullying and that any incidents are effectively dealt with.
Schools like Firhill do not have the luxury of only having to deal with cases of "mild" dyslexia either!

Well my post will look rather strange as the one it refers to has vanished!

Always an emotive subject :)

It's because of all these different views that these decisions are so hard!

I really appreciate everyone's comments :)

Remembered that my boss's grandchildren are at Firrhill. One of them was interviewed at Oxford this week. All four have achieved well academically and in sport. This morning my daughter's school played Firrhill at hockey - it's seems a good school with positive attitudes, supportive parents etc.

Colleagues sons go to Firhill and he really rates it. Used to get a bad rep 20 years back but I've only heard good things. In terms of the league tables (or whatever they call them nowadays) it's only a couple of points behind boroughmuir and gillespies. My kids are primary and in boroughmuir catchment but if we move, I'd be happy with Firrhill from what I've heard.

It suddenly occurred to me that when the barracks close, there will be a big drop in the school roll at Firrhill = small classes?!

Forget that last one - I believe the families aren't relocating only the troops.

Zumbamumi - I've messaged you privately. Feel free to message me if you need more information. Do visit Stewart Mellville/Mary Erskine. They are large as well (like Watsons) but feel a good school to be in. Bullying is a huge issue and there are more resources available in regards to support/advocacy/complaints channel in the state school system than in the independent schools so research well! Good luck.