George Heriot's v Loretto

[Lones80]

After visiting a number of schools in and around Edinburgh we have narrowed to choice down to these two but are finding it hard to make a final decision. Does anyone have any experience of either of these schools? We are looking for nursery/primary initially but like the idea of the DC being at the same school all the way through.

These 2 schools are so different that I find it hard to believe they are both on the same shortlist. They are both very good schools, it is just down to personal preference.

Geographically they are in different parts of the country, one in Edinburgh, one in East Lothian. Whereabouts do you live, travelling around the city everyday is not always easy and if you plan for your dc to travel by themselves when they are older, which is more convenient.

Heriots has a traditional school day and Loretto, well even day kids are still at school at 6-7pm at night in senior years. Heriots generally follows the Scottish curriculum while Loretto follows the english curriculum with GCSEs and A levels (although that may all change).

Lorretto has a high proportion of boarders while Heriots is a day school, and Loretto fees are nearly twice that of Heriots.

It is down to what suits your kids and your family.

I have a friend with two DDs at Loretto. She finds the long holidays they have a real pain in terms of finding childcare (the school can provide childcare for the younger one for most of the holidays, but not the secondary age one) and the fact that they have school on a Saturday too as they get further up the school leaves them all quite exhausted. Her DDs are day pupils so the evenings are very late as it is set up for boarders, but she quite likes that as it helps in her working situation (although does feel guilty sometimes when she only sees them to put them to bed, tired and exhausted). She did actually consider moving them at one point (to Heriot's) due to the high cost of fees and long hours, but didn't in the end at she felt the education and extras were great (there were also scholarships to be had) and her DDs did not want to when push can to shove (they had at first).
Personally speaking, I also considered moving my own DD to Heriot's from her current independent school at one point (due to friendship issues), but I had a very lookwarm welcome on the assessment day compared to the experience we had had at her current school and changed my mind in the end as I was not convinced it wasn't just a sad "sign of the times" thing that would not elsewhere too (my DD fortunately learned a valuable lesson in dealing with mouthy, pushy, spoilt brats and things quickly improved for her thank goodness).
I really feel for you in your decision as it is a very hard one to make. I agree with the previous response, it is up to your own family circumstance really: Loretto=much greater cost+longer days (tiring)+longer holidays+potential financial help in the way of scholarships+greater individual attention, Heriot's=cheaper+easier for child to get to on their own by public transport(?)+larger class numbers (potentially less individual attention)+less childcare required for holidays.
Very best of luck with your decision.

I know Lorettos. It has very small classes and lots of individual attention. The school days are long but that is, in part, due to optional activities at the end of the day along with the chance for children to stay for an evening meal. At primary school age Saturday school is optional and again consists of fun activities that the children choose from. Family members that have children going there are very happy.

Thanks everyone. I liked Heriots as there was a real emphasis on giving back to the community and the campus was lovely, but I had another look at Loretto nippers and do love it. It also happens to be more convenient for where we live.

My sister's children are now at Loretto and they have slightly longer holidays but do so much more within the school day, even from P1 upwards. Their holiday clubs sound brilliant too. My niece and nephew love their school and my own daughter is asking me to go there. If you can afford the fees I think it is worth every penny. We are seriously considering moving my daughter form another very good school.