George Heriots Assessment

[LibertyPigerty]

My child has recently sat the Primary 7 Assessments for GH and unfortunately didn't get in - fine, I understand the numbers are limited but just puzzled by one of the comments on the letter...

I am afraid that it has also not been possible to include XXXX on our waiting list. Central to our decision-making process is that each child will cope and preferably thrive, therefore proving to be happy, at Heriot's. Sadly, we cannot feel completely confident that this would be the case for XXXX.

Just seems quite blunt for a rejection for a 10 year old, especially without any explanation.

Child is neuro divergent and top of their class for most subjects so I don't feel they would have struggled with the testing.

Just wondering on anyone's thoughts on this.

TIA

Unsurprised - had a similar experience with then with one of mine, also ND. Not a happy memory. On the whole, it was a bad match though and they wouldn't have thrived there. There are better options. It's not all about academic ability,

I have heard the same from many parents. The rejection of the neurodivergent / highly intelligent, and others with more standard health issues. Heriots probably wouldn’t have suited your child to be fair. Their engineering / computing offering (which appeals to many ND is very poor in comparison to most other private and state schools in the area. Try Watson’s. By far the better school.

Eeek, a lucky escape! Just throw it away and don’t think any further on it. Lots of other options.

Well it doesn’t seem like the VAT rises have resulted in mass pull-outs if they’re able to knock kids back.

All joking aside though would you really want your child attending a school that rejected them at such a young age?

For ND kids it’s very possible that the shortcomings were at the school’s side and not the child’s, in that they don’t think they’ll be able to meet their needs.

It’s also possible, like many children that age ND or not, that they just panicked and flunked the exam, too early for formal tests in an unfamiliar environment.

Either way the decision has been taken out your hands, file it and move on.

Thanks for the reply, can I ask where your ND child ended up going?

Thanks, yes it seems to be coming over loud and clear now, wish they'd been a bit more upfront about it and we wouldn't have bothered applying... Unfortunately we didn't apply to Watson's, I'll look into for S1

Thanks, we feel the same!

Thanks for the reply... Heriot's is always over subscribed, I don't think the VAT increase will change much in the way of applications there!
And yes, you're right, we wouldn't want them going there knowing what we know now.

She's very happy at St George's @LibertyPigerty which has been great for both of my children who are pretty different.

Excellent to hear. Thanks

Review on Merchiston Castle school.
Could I please kindly ask about Merchiston school if any one knows how the school is doing is academically?

Not sure how they are doing academically but the impression I get is that the more you pay for a private school, the less that it’s about academics and the more it’s about enrichment. For that reason I would guess Heriots is the strongest academically in Edinburgh, and one of the cheapest. It all depends on what you want from a school.

What information are you looking for? The senior exam results and university destination information is available on the website (they seem decidedly average to me)

https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1740407133/merchistoncouk/gtxighcrxg19eosmgama/MerchistonCastleSchoolAcademicResults2024.pdf

Merchiston isn’t very academic but it has very small classes and great activities and sports. Heriots is the hardest to get into. My son is Neurodivergent as got rejections. At one school the headteacher stated in a meeting in front of all the other parents “We don’t care if your child has ADHD or under the care of CAMHS if they misbehave they’re out”. My son got his highers at excellent grades at a state school he wouldn’t have done better in private school and he’d have probably been kicked out. So it saved me a great deal of money, find a good state school and top up with quality tutors.

It’s blunt but it does state that it’s a no because they can’t provide what your child needs. There could be all sorts of reasons why but better that they state no than fudge it and fail your child.

There are pros and cons of smaller schools, it can look like a good option for neurodivergent children but it also means their peer group is smaller so the number of children that could be their herd is smaller.

Merchie is very sporty and has a lot of less academic rugby/sporty boys who are a strong presence. If that’s not your boy I’d be hesitant.

No school is going to be perfect so worth checking out other options. There may well still be places for P7 entry despite being past the mass entrance tests.

I’ve heard many good things about Watson’s SEN provision but have no experience.

Waking up this thread as have a tour of Heriot’s on Tuesday. It would literally take all our spare income but looking specifically because our child is on the pathway to be diagnosed as neurodivergent. Think this has put me off though.

Our catchment primary is Gillespie’s.

Hi, we accepted an offer at Edinburgh Academy and couldn't be happier. Child is thriving and engaging with all aspects of school life.

We also viewed Watsons, great facilities but thought the school was too big.

I suggest you see as many as you can. Good luck!

@LibertyPigerty thank you xx

My son goes to GH and has done since P1, and now in upper senior school, and has absolutely thrived there. Despite what others say it does accept children who are ND as I can see from my sons friends since P1.
They do look to ensure it’s a good fit for the children so they can thrive and I think that’s a good thing.
They also have a lots of learning support as well, and this has helped a number of my sons friends over the years.
The one thing I do like is that they deal with poor behaviours, this is important in my view but they do look to work with families to try and provide support.
Watsons has been mentioned and we looked at this for my son, and felt it wasn’t the right fit as too big.
I think you need to look at your child and assess what each one offers and you’ll know which is the best fit.

Which year are you looking to join?

I would say that GH is excellent for ND children joining in P1. The early years is so nurturing and supportive, and they really do everything they can for the children (Lesley Reid is incredible).

I think there are more likely to be issues joining later in the school. There definitely are ND children who join later, and they also receive a lot of support, but you can see the difference between those that joined at P1 and those joining later. It's a big change, with higher expectations, and it won't suit all children.

One thing to keep in mind is that fees increase as you progress through the school, even without the annual increases (currently frozen until 2028). If things are tight now, will it become unsustainable in a few years?