Trying to find a high school in Edinburgh

[Sagevie]

My family and I are planning to move back to Edinburgh from Canada in the upcoming months. Looking for a good high school for our 13 yo son. Most of the school we have reached out to have waiting lists. We are trying to figure out which catchment area we should move into. Has anyone had recent experience with this? Thanks!

As soon as you move to a catchment area they have to provide your children a place at a nearby school. My knowledge of Edinburgh secondary schools is fairly out of date but Currie and Balerno high schools are good. Risk is your children could end up at Wester Hailes school as it always has space because it's a bad area however, it is so small that actually there is a lot of support for children so it might not be as bad as everyone thinks!

Boroghmuir High and James Gillespies have previously had good reputations. You could try posting on Scotsnet board as you might get more up to date advice there.

25% of children in Edinburgh are privately educated but quite a few might be trying to get into state schools now with the VAT on fees. Your children will have priority, though, as soon as you have an address in Edinburgh.

Boroughmuir, Gillespie’s, Royal High

I’ve been in touch with Boroughmuir and James Gillespie and was told that they have +15 children on their waiting list! I actually attended WHEC way way back. It wasn’t great then but happy to hear children are getting more support there now!

Currie or Balerno High.