James Gillespie's High School, Edinburgh

[tricot39]

Well that's it really - any experiences, information or opinions?
It looks quite good on paper and the area suits us very well for work, but how does the school really compare to other state options in Edinburgh?
We are looking to relocate so can choose our catchment.
Thanks

Gillespies is one of the top 3 state secondary schools in Edinburgh according to exam results so it is hugely popular and out of catchment requests not usually successful. It is about to be rebuilt so there is serious disruption over the next few years. Most of its catchment primary schools are also very popular.

I know of a boy who transferred there from another (also popular) school due to unaddressed bullying problems, and he was very happy there, doing well with exams etc.

DH's cousin has her 2 kids there, 1 in S3 and 1 in S1. They are under building work - the older one is in another building a little way off (can't remember where sorry). I thinks the S1's are still on site.

They are 2 lovely kids and both pretty academic, and they are both extremely happy at the school. Classes appear to be small, under 25 and in some cases under 20.

If you are moving with primary age kids, you should get them in when the time comes, but the school is massively popular, so if your DC are already secondary age and the year group you're looking for is full they won't give you a spot even if you live in catchment.

Blatant bump!