Heriots and Watsons school choices

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Hello I have two sons, age 8 and 10. We plan to move them to either GHeriots or G Watsons, in Edinburgh. We are lucky to be in a position to have offers to both schools for the older child and to GW for the younger. (They told us it was due to lack of class space in GH that our younger son didnt get in this year and to try again in next couple of years as if older sibling there this gives them priority and the class size increases up the school.

We are finding it very hard to choose between the schools.

Our older son I would say is academically bright, dont want to sound braggy but teacher presently tells us he is top in class for maths / subjects etc. He also really loves readings and sports particuarly football.

Younger son is similar perhaps more sporty / slightly less academically minded so might need a little more support to get on with class work but teachers presently have no worries and are happy with his progress, he loves fencing which I dont think heriots has?

There are a children from their present class school likely to go to GWatsons and it is the more local, closer school. But I cant get away from the better results Heriots gets academically and the smaller size of the school, but the facillities at GW do seem more impressive.

Do people have experiences to share to help us decide?
Does GW push the brighter pupils to excell? Does all of the sports become a distraction from getting good grades and is there much bullying? (as you read online). Is there strong STEM teaching?

Many thanks, sorry for the essay and duplication as some kind people have already replied to another post but suggested Scotsnet might get more responses.

I have no experience of GW, but two in the junior school of GHS. So far we have been really impressed with the school. It feels like a family, the care and teaching is very personal and tailored well to each child. From what I can see the reason they get such good results is they take the time to get to know and understand each child. I don’t think the sports facilities are on a par with GW, so if sports is a priority GW might be better. My boys are very happy at GHS and both have a great group of friends. I hope that helps.

I have one in senior school and one in junior school at GHS - they both moved from state school in upper primary.

we’ve been totally happy with their experiences - yes expectations are high but there seems to be a warm, happy atmosphere and in our experience both parents and staff have been down to earth and approachable. The elder has needed some extra TLC at times and the pastoral care has been excellent.

I have no direct experience of GWC or anecdotal reports other than sports matches, where if I am honest I didn’t like the general air of arrogance I perceived from the GWC kids 😬

eeek! thank you for the replies.

Mum of two kids here at GWC, in S2 and P6. Both have been there since P1.

As parents we're really happy with the school Yes it's big, and I will admit that did concern me when we started looking. But in actual fact, the way the junior school is split and manger, it never actually massive. And the staff do their utmost to know the pupils individually. The junior school headmaster, George Salmond, is excellent and it's like he's cloned, as he appears at all levels of sports matches and other school activities.

My eldest is particularly sporty, so I do see that side of things and yes they are competitive and they do well. It's healthy though and very much team orientated. All sports are well represented - inc fencing. If you have sporty kids, then the on-site facilities are helpful and a consideration when thinking about your school day.

Academically, both are mine - so far! - are not total geniuses, but I feel are pushed enough to get the absolute best out of them and the feedback at regular testing points throughout the year are very comprehensive. We're just going through choosing Nat 5 subjects for my eldest and there is a lot of information and inclusive preparation to help them make sensible and informed choices. I'm been very impressed so far.

To be honest, we looked at GH and ESMS when we looked at schools way back when, and all were similar so it just came down to a gut feeling as to which one we felt would suit our kids best. Which was GWC and so far, we've been proved right.

• But in actual fact, the way the junior school is split and managed, it never actually feels massive.

Both my children attended Watson’s. My son had a good experience there, but we had to remove our daughter over safeguarding concerns. I can’t talk about it publicly at this point in time, but it was not something I would wish on any parent. The way the school handled our concerns was very similar to how they responded to the parents 5 years ago when they were criticised by the Registrar for Independent Schools.

If I could go back into time, I would have chosen Heriot’s.

I have a niece who had to leave watsons due to bullying. The way it was handled was atrocious. I'd say Heriots

Did Watsons improve their anti bullying since the safeguarding concerns were raised? Does anyone know?

They updated their anti bullying policy- the current one is here: resources.finalsite.net/images/v1666690661/gwcorguk/hok5fvu53q3yuj4wcne0/Anti-BullyingPolicy.pdf

I can’t comment on whether or not it is effective in practice. My son was rather scornful of how bullying incidents were handled, but that’s just one view.

I used to cycle past Heriots at pick up time en route to local state primary and the cycle lane was always completely blocked by Heriots mums in their Chelsea tractors, so definite air of arrogance there too unfortunately. You might struggle to find a private school without it.

Also one of the children in my son's class at said local state primary had been removed from Heriots by his parents as they did not support his additional needs.

Two at Watsons here. While I don’t doubt others experiences, I have to say the way they dealt with (relatively minor) bullying of DS1 was fantastic. I couldn’t have asked for more.

I would also agree with what a PP said about the quality of academic feedback being excellent. Very detailed actionable feedback given regularly to both pupils and parents, and pupils coached through, and supported with, how to action it.

Ultimately though, go for extra visits and go with your gut feel.

Also one of the children in my son's class at said local state primary had been removed from Heriots by his parents as they did not support his additional needs.

Private schools are not geared up for additional needs. They might support a very bright child with dyslexia, autism, or English as an additional language, but anything requiring more than a session or two a week in support for learning in order to keep up with the academically very able class will be beyond them.

I remember the sunglasses wearing mums in their Chelsea tractors well! I used to pay 20p for 20 mins in George square and race round to school to make mine walk to the car...these mums used to drive me mad! 🤣

Son was at Watson's. We were very pleased with it. They do push all children, but I would say to be the best they can be, not just be products of an exam factory. Not saying Heriot's is that but I've heard that said about Hutchies in Glasgow.

Watson's has a fantastic music department and music teaching. My son's degree is in music.