Edinburgh Academy anyone?

[newtoedinburgh]

I can't find much online from first hand experience, Good Schools Guide gives great review. Impressed by Junior school head. Would love to hear some firsthand experience if possible... We like the look of the junior as seems not too big, and also Scottish not too English prep school vibe.

Anyone a parent there with an opinion to share? (picking schools in a pandemic is hard)

I have no knowledge but i think if you can look further down the threads there are some about private schools in Edinburgh. That tends to be difficult on the App, but if you open up the actual website on your phone it works the same as the PC version - if you aren't on a PC at the moment that is.

Thanks @WaxOnFeckOff

Not a parent but a recent applicant (P7 entry). Couldn't get a great feel what with Covid and all like you say but can share some thoughts if any help? Broadly impressed with the limited exposure we could get (we were coming off a low base - knew zero about it beforehand) and only minor things made us choose elsewhere. We came across some grumbles but I'm sure that's true in most schools and I felt a bit sad to turn it down in the end.

It's an excellent school if you fit in as it has a strong local clique behind it.

If you're fairly posh with money behind you and willing to join in all the behind the scene events, you'll be fine. Being a regular donor is expected and also helps.

If none of the above, don't bother.

I agree there is a strong local clique feel to EA, but I know plenty of non posh families whose kids go there. It’s fairly small compared to other private schools in Edinburgh, which may also contribute to the cliquey feel. Luckily Edinburgh has a lot of choice if you want to go down the private route and there’s always some movement between schools. If a particular school doesn’t work for your child you can always vote with your feet and move them.

Yes we have voted with our feet. It wasn't so much poshness/money as needing to be the 'right sort' or you're not accepted. It was way too traditional and old fashioned an environment for us. My kids are in other independent schools now which are much more diverse and forward-thinking.

@cricket13 intrigued to know which schools are diverse and forward thinking? I had to make a decision about school applications for my children from overseas and couldn't find much between them in all that I read - other than that EA was cliquey, as said again above. I too am not too keen on traditional/old fashioned so would be interested to know where you chose.

I will PM you. It's hard to choose schools from overseas but even when you visit schools it's not always easy to get an idea of the community culture right away.

What a load of nonsense. Chippy much?

@cricket13

I will PM you. It's hard to choose schools from overseas but even when you visit schools it's not always easy to get an idea of the community culture right away.

@cricket13 I know this is from ages ago, but would you mind pm’ing me your observations? I find it impossible to tell from open days etc, they all seem the same. We went for one on the basis that they all seem the same and so we’ll go for the nearest. That hasn’t worked out well but I’m stuck on how to choose another.

will do

@cricket13 : Would you mind PM' ing me your observations as I'm interested to know more about independent schools in Edinburgh for my kids so I can choose the one that fits my children.

Hi there! Know this is an old thread but wondering how you've found EA if you decided to attend? Our daughter is in nursery there starting in August, so would love to hear more! We're coming from overseas and haven't lived in Edinburgh in 10 years or so (much less before we had kids) so hoping we're making a good choice!

Used to live opposite the main building.

That was a long time ago and I'm sure they've improved the behaviour of their pupils in the street and in local shops since then.

@cricket13 I am making a decision from overseas too. Would you mind PM me your experience at EA? What other more diverse and forward thinking independent schools are you DC in now? Thanks!

Three of our four kids are at EA (the fourth is now at university). We love the Academy - they just get things right and deal with things in a common sense approach. We have family with kids at ESMS, St Georges and GWC - we are glad we made the choice of EA - their response to COVID and remote schooling was BY FAR the most impressive of the four schools.

@cricket13 Old thread so hopefully you still read these replies! Would be really appreciative of any insights you have re: "diverse and forward thinking" alternatives. We have been considering a move from the US where our ~5y/o daughter is in a fairly progressive Montessori program.

Or anyone else with similar insights for that matter! Thank you

We have experience of a few of the private schools in and around Edinburgh.

I’d say -
Watson’s, don’t know well but seems fine. Big.
ESMS - traditionally academic - not great for pastoral care. Sporty. Bit worse than some others for producing social media obsessed girls.
St George’s smaller, cozy, good for pastoral care and teacher relationships with pupils. Many subjects have support sessions to go to. It’s possible to just arse about in lessons on your iPad. This is probably better training for real life than the ESMS approach?
EA - small, seems nice but don’t know yet.
Herriot’s - new head, very competitive to get into at age 10 and up. Regarded as the one to get into.
Clifton Hall - newbridge, to the west of Edinburgh, less traditional, very small so less good for competitive sport, but very positive about sporty clubs, seems really good for kids who need any sort of different approach.
The head there is also very positive about the Steiner school, which can be controversial, but I think the one in Edinburgh is less ‘cult’ like than others.
The Montessori was going to start having senior pupils I think.

Happy to answer anything specific if you have questions.