Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Edinburgh and the Lothians Schools Open Day Directory
For all those now in P7, it’s the last year of primary school. They’ve come a long way from those wee P1s entering the school gates, often with a wobble in their step – and lip!
Now they are the oldest in the school and the best advice from former P7s and teachers is to grab all the opportunities this next year will bring with both hands! P7s often get the chance to take on roles of responsibility, from house captains to mentoring younger children, helping to boost their own confidence and giving them a taste of different experiences.
There is also the knowledge that at the end of year they’ll be moving on, leaving behind their familiar primary school world and entering an often much bigger school. So there’s a sense of excitement, or sometimes anxiety, about the next step to high school.
Tensions can soon be quashed, and questions answered early in the school year, as some of the high schools host their open days in the autumn. And although many of the days will have to be changed because of coronavirus restrictions, meaning some of the introductions will be online, these events give prospective pupils and their parents a small taste of secondary life. They’ll meet current students and teachers and be able to tour the buildings (even if virtually). It offers a great opportunity to gain ‘a feel’ of the school and answer many questions: Does it have a welcoming feel? Is there a positive vibe and atmosphere around the school? Can you see your child ‘fitting in’ there?
For the new S1 intake, all parents of Primary 7 pupils will be sent written confirmation of the catchment secondary school that serves their area in mid-November. If you are happy with this arrangement, you don't have to do anything else. Although catchment rules apply to schools in Edinburgh and the Lothians, there are still different options open to each child.
Pupils can choose to apply to a denominational or non-denominational school in their catchment area, make a placing request to attend a school in a different catchment area or consider applying to a local independent school. Here’s how you can find out all you need to know…
Edinburgh High Schools
Your child is only guaranteed a place in a school in your catchment area if they are living in the catchment area by the end of February in the year they begin primary or secondary school, subject to being resident at the same address at the start of session.
Each address has one non-denominational catchment school and one Roman Catholic catchment school for both primary and secondary stages. You should choose your preferred school of the two. If you want your child to attend a school outside the catchment area you will need to make a placing request with the Council. See the council’s guide www.edinburgh.gov.uk/placinginschools
For term dates, catchment areas and enrolment procedures in Edinburgh look at www.edinburgh.gov.uk - search for ‘start secondary school’.
Contact details:
PO Box 12331
EH7 9DN
Edinburgh, EH8 8BG
Email: school.placements@edinburgh.gov.uk
Download the Council’s school admissions policy at https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/school-places/school-placing-requests/1
East Lothian High Schools
There are 6 secondary schools in East Lothian, each with its own catchment area. However, parents have a right to choose which school they would prefer their child to attend, and East Lothian Council grant these requests wherever possible. For term dates, catchment areas and enrolment procedures in East Lothian look at
https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/info/210557/schools_nurseries_and_learning
Contact details:
Department of Education and Children’s Services
John Muir House
Haddington
EH41 3HA
Telephone: 01620 827827
Email: schoolplacements@eastlothian.gov.uk
West Lothian High Schools
There are 11 secondary schools in West Lothian. Each home address has a catchment denominational school and a catchment non-denominational school, for both primary and secondary education. Living within a catchment area does not guarantee a child a place at a catchment school. Parents can request a school other than one of their catchment schools.
For term dates, catchment areas and enrolment procedures in West Lothian look at http://www.westlothian.gov.uk/
Contact details:
Pupil Placement Section
West Lothian Civic Centre
Howden South Road
Livingston
West Lothian
EH54 6FF
Telephone: 01506 280000
Email: pupilplacement@westlothian.gov.uk
Midlothian High Schools
There are 7 high schools in Midlothian. St David's High School and Saltersgate School serve the whole of Midlothian, whilst catchment rules apply to the other 5 non-denominational secondary schools. Parents will automatically receive confirmation of their child's catchment high school by the end of November. For term dates, catchment areas and enrolment procedures in Midlothian look at www.midlothian.gov.uk/info/878/schools
Contact details:
Pupil Placement
Midlothian Council
Education, Communities and Economy
Fairfield House
8 Lothian Road
Dalkeith
EH22 3ZG
Telephone: 0131 271 3733
Email: pupil.placement@midlothian.gov.uk
Independent Schools in Scotland
The Scottish Council for Independent Schools’ (SCIS) is an educational charity representing more than 70 member schools across Scotland. SCIS member schools are diverse, from large city day schools to the very small rural prep school, but each one is dedicated to serving their community.
All independent schools in Scotland have their own unique ethos and values, but they share a common goal of encouraging each individual pupil to be all that they can be. Many enjoy a reputation for wide subject choice, a focus on co-curricular pursuits, smaller pupil/teacher ratios and consistently strong exam results. Today around 30,000 children and young people attend an independent school in Scotland.
On the SCIS website you will find information, advice and guidance for parents about independent schools. To discover more about independent schools in your area you may wish to look at the SCIS website – www.scis.org.uk
Fee Assistance for Independent Schools
All schools offer some level of fee assistance which is usually awarded on the basis of financial need. In 2016-17, over 600 children received a free place, and one in four children received financial help with their fees. To receive assistance with fees your child simply has to meet the normal entry requirements. They don’t have to be of an academic standard required to win a scholarship.
The Scottish Council of Independent Schools can offer impartial information, advice and guidance. See: www.scis.org.uk or call 0131 556 2316 or email info@scis.org.uk
Here are details on some individual schools across Edinburgh and Lothian – we will add more as information becomes available:
Merchiston Castle School
Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh caters for boys aged seven to 18. The school is not holding a traditional open day this year. Instead the school is offering one-to-one personalised tours to meet the headmaster and look at the grounds. With the teaching and boarding areas unable to be toured due to current restrictions, there is also the option of the school’s new 360 degree interactive digital tour, which shows inside the classrooms, boarding houses and facilities, meeting staff and pupils along the way.
George Watson’s College
One of the UK’s most successful schools, George Watson’s College in Edinburgh, provides a world-class education from Preschool, Junior School, through to Senior 6 on a single campus on the south side of the city.
Watson’s tell their pupils that, ‘whoever you are and wherever you are going, at our school you have freedom to discover who you really are’.
The school says there is a freedom to succeed because it combines academic excellence with the enrichment that comes from one of the broadest extra-curricular programmes at any school in Scotland.
The school was founded so that children from all backgrounds could enjoy an excellent education. Staying true to that, the school continues to offer bursaries and scholarships through its Family Foundation.
This year the school is holding a Digital Open Morning on Saturday October 3. Interested parents can find out more and register at www.gwc.org.uk/joinus
Loretto School
Founded in 1827, Loretto is Scotland’s first boarding school. Today, it welcomes boarders and day pupils aged 3-18. A small school, Loretto strives to know every girl & boy personally, and offer them “the opportunity to grow in mind, body, and spirit”.
To find out more, book a place at their virtual open days:
26 September 2020 (Senior School)
3 October 2020 (Junior School)
Book on 0131 653 4455 or at admissions@loretto.com
ESMS
ESMS is a group of independent schools for boys and girls, aged 3-18. At ESMS, children are taught together from Nursery to Primary 7, then at Senior School they receive the benefits of single-sex education before joining together again for a co-educational Sixth Form.
In the early years, specialists enhance learning through regular PE, Music, Forest Kindergarten, Digital Learning and Library sessions. From Nursery to Senior School ESMS teach all students their Nine Values including kindness and respect, creating a happy school community where each child feels valued.
A Virtual Open Day will take place on Saturday 26th September. Check the ESMS website for more information. www.esms.org.uk
George Heriot’s School
George Heriot’s will be holding a virtual Open Morning on Saturday 3 October at 10am. The virtual Open Morning video can be accessed on the school’s website here and will remain on the website for four weeks.
Clifton Hall School
Clifton Hall School in Edinburgh is an independent school for girls and boys aged three to 18, with numbers limited to 400 pupils. The school does not select pupils on the grounds of academic ability and says it believes all children are capable of excelling given the right conditions and motivation. The school does not do formal Open Days, call 0131 333 1359 to arrange personal meeting with head.
The Compass School
The Compass School is an independent school based in Haddington in East Lothian, catering for children aged three to 12. The school is holding a virtual open day on Saturday October 3 at 10am, register by emailing office@thecompassschool.co.uk
St George’s School for Girls
St George's School for Girls in Edinburgh is an independent school catering for girls aged between three and 18. The school is holding virtual open days on the afternoon of Sept 25 and the morning of Sept 26. Book online by clicking on the link on the website.
Edinburgh Steiner School
This year, instead of open days, prospective pupils and parents can visit the school on an appointment basis. To find out more click here.
Belhaven Hill School
Belhaven Hill School says you don't need to wait for an open day and can contact them for an appointment. The visit gives the opportunity to meet the headmaster and other staff, and to talk to and have lunch with pupils. Click here for more info.