Which Edinburgh independent school to choose? Please help!!

[AnaMum]

Hi, my ds has been offered a place at GWC and GHS and I'm not sure which one to choose! In terms of distance, both are the same. Any advise would be most appreciated!!

Should have mentioned its for Primary 1 entry

As both are all through schools you need to look ahead to the senior years as well as primary- Watsons is a huge school which means it has great facilities and all on one campus, but may offer little individual attention. There is a big emphasis on sport. Heriots is not so big and playing fields located a bus journey away rather than on site, high academic achievement standards.
Only you can decide what atmosphere best suits your child and their personality- I presume you have visited both and done open days etc so you should have a "feel" for each place- they have totally different vibes in my view (we didn't choose either in the end for my DS).

I think 3nation is right - it really depends upon your child. My children go to GWC, and it is a huge school. I feel there is a very personal touch about it though, and that the staff really know my children. I know people who have children at GH and they are very happy there. It does have a reputation as having very high academic levels which may or may not suit your child.

Personally, I think that the commute is important as well. Lots of GH children live in the south side, and walk back across the meadows which seems to really suit them. So, looking ahead which school will be easiest for your child to get to when they are old enough to go on their own? what about going to sports events, after school activities etc. - you don't want to have to drive them to everything as they get older so consider the travel aspects.

My DS was accepted to both Watson's and Heriot's for entry in P7. He fell in love with Watson's and was adament he wanted to go there (traditionally we have been a Heriot's family so I assumed he'd be going to Heriot's!). I was very worried about the size of the school but once you are at it, it doesn't feel too big at all. DS loves it and it was absolutely the right choice for him. He's involved in all sorts of activities and he's even gone from being a non sporty boy to a sporty one (swimming and rowing).

I don't think you can go terribly wrong with either school and should go with either the one that feels better for you, or failing that, the one that is easier to get to.

Thank you ladies for your comments, most useful. We attended open days at both schools, and found all one campus for GWC quite handy. You constantly hear GWC being a huge school, so was worried how ds would cope as he is quite reserved. However, from your comments it appears the school doesn't feel big.

Hi there, DS goes to GWC.
I went to a small school and was worried about it being too big, but it really doesn't feel that way. DS seems very happy there and the teachers are easily contactable if you have any problems or want to talk to them. They also have good wraparound care, but I suppose Heriots would have that as well.

My 2 charges both go to GWC and love it. They are now P3 & P5 and have never suffered from it being a big school. In fact I believe they have thrived on it. Because there are separate buildings for upper and lower primary, and indeed the senior school, it doesn't feel really big. There is a lot of support from both staff and other parents should it be needed too.