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Original poster

Anybody know anything about the ESMS schools?

11 replies

IggyMac · 26/09/2015 15:23

I've got three children DD1(7), DD2(2) and DS(2), and a fourth on the way, and my wife and I are currently considering changing their school. DD1 started at St. George's School for Girls when she was 1.5, and at the time we didn't plan on having any more children, and since my wife was pretty set on an all girls school, we sent her their without even really discussing other options.

DD1 is now in P4 at St. George's, and the twins are in nursery there, but obviously DS can't stay there forever, and apparently Merchiston Castle School for boys doesn't take their boys until they are 7, so instead of keeping the girls in St. George's and sending DS to various schools, we're thinking of sending them all to the ESMS schools.

So basically what I'm trying to say is has anyone got any experience with the ESMS schools? Good or bad.

OP posts:
Sametime · 26/09/2015 15:39

You may want to register all of them sharpish as the waiting list for nursery places fills up very quickly and there are few spaces at P1 - 15 this year. Admissions staff are lovely and happy to arrange private tours. I'm pretty sure the open day was this weekend. We can wait for our son to start. A the feedback from friends (whose children are already there) is incredibly positive.

Sametime · 26/09/2015 15:40

Sorry posted too soon - should read 'we can't wait for our son to start'.

tribal · 26/09/2015 16:43

We sent our dd there for secondary years. She has now left and in second year at uni. No regrets, it was the right decision for her. If you have any specific questions please message me.

catdil · 26/09/2015 21:18

Any specific questions please ask as have a son there and know people who work at the school.

LilyDa · 27/09/2015 21:10

DD1 has just started P2 there and DD2 will go into nursery next September - we couldn't be happier with the school. There's a lovely friendly feel to it, v supportive staff, PM me if you have any questions I can help with. It was the open day this weekend but I imagine you could organise a visit

Original poster
IggyMac · 02/10/2015 22:38

Thanks guys! We missed the open day, but are having a private tour there on Monday. We are really looking forward to it. I thought DD1 would have been more bothered about moving school, but she doesn't seem too concerned.

OP posts:
flossietoot · 03/10/2015 17:01

I have one daughter at St George's, and went to ESMS open day last year. They are very very different. I think it depends on the personality of the child- ESMS would definitely not suit my daughter- it is huge, and to me seemed very slick and corporate. I prefer the smallness of St George's, and the fact that the teachers we have had there seem to really know the children well. I have a friend who moved her child from ESMS to another Edinburgh private school her experience wasn't positive, but again, probably comes down to the child.

BigRedBus44 · 04/10/2015 17:08

I can definitely recommend ESMS to you, we moved our daughter from St George's 2 years ago and have no regrets at all. It is a much bigger school than St G's but has a very friendly atmosphere and staff seem to know the children well - head teacher greeted numerous children by name as we were taken round on a tour. My daughter is now in primary but she and her pre school teacher still have a cuddle and a wee chat when they pass each other in the corridor ??.

BigRedBus44 · 04/10/2015 17:10

No idea why my post ended with question marks, sorry!

coffeeCamelCase · 06/10/2015 08:07

I've heard mixed reports. The parent I know best there has a girl and is delighted. OTOH I heard from someone professionally involved (better say no more than that) that their results, though good considered in isolation, are not impressive given their intake. "Some distinctly mediocre teaching" was my contact's opinion.

Starfish347 · 06/10/2015 12:36

I too have heard very mixed results re St Georges, but it's horses for courses to be honest, you'll get mixed feedback on any school you look at!

We looked at ESMS for our girls and liked it, but I wasn't keen on the split environments (different campuses, rugby pitches not all at school), plus it really wasn't the best location for us.

We went with George Watson's and so far, could not be happier - is that an option? I'll admit the sheer size of the school made me wary, but the nursery, P1-P3 are in they own 'mini school' within the school, so it doesn't feel enormous, the same with p4-7. They are good at gradually integrating them to the campus though so by the time they are going to senior school, it's not daunting. The facilities (esp sport) are fantastic and it's all on one campus which is a big plus. They've just had their open day but you can go in to take a look if you make an appt. Sometimes it's better to go in on a 'normal' day anyway!

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