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The move from primary school to secondary

It’s the last year of primary school for all now in P7. They’ve come a long way from those wee P1s entering the school gates, often with a wobble in their step and an anxious look back!

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 around 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.

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 on 24 December in the year before 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 www.eastlothian.gov.uk/schoolsandlearning

Contact details:

Department of Education and Children’s Services

John Muir House

Haddington

EH41 3HA

Telephone: 01620 827827

Email: schoolplacements@eastlothian.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

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

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 

St George’s School, Edinburgh

Founded by the pioneers of women’s education in Scotland, St George’s is an all-through school in Edinburgh, welcoming girls and boys as young as three and girls as old as eighteen. Boys are welcome throughout the nursery and will be able to extend their stay until the end of Primary 3 by 2024.

From Primary 4 onwards, a distinctive girls-only ethos encourages each girl to be herself in an environment totally focused on the girls’ needs. Taught in an environment free from gender stereotypes, girls are encouraged to develop their inner voice and a self-assurance that their opinions matter. A 'YES SHE CAN' approach, embodied in the abundance of strong female role-models and the range of opportunity on offer helps inspire every girl to find the path that is right for her.

The school promotes educational excellence both inside and outside the classroom. The staff have time to get to know each pupil on a personal level, allowing them to monitor their social, emotional and academic progress closely.

With a junior and middle school size of around 340 girls (up to the end of S1) and a whole school of around 720, St George’s is relatively small. And, a unique middle school specialises in the transition from primary to secondary education.

Virtual Open Evenings and on-site guided tours at the school during September/October. Visit their website to register and for details www.stge.org.uk  

George Heriot’s School, Edinburgh

Heriot’s has a reputation for excellence both in terms of academic success and extra-curricular provision. The pupils are great individuals, brimming with confidence and pride in their school.

Heriot’s cultivates an ethos of care reinforced by outstanding guidance, commitment to charitable fundraising and voluntary service. Pupils benefit from an extraordinary number of extra-curricular activities, ranging from 31 sports on offer to a huge variety of musical, dramatic and other possibilities; the emphasis is on taking part – the school wants to encourage its young people to participate, to try hard and to be happy. This has resulted in Heriot’s achieving the Gold Rights-Respecting School accreditation, awarded by UNICEF, and the Sunday Times School of the Decade award.

An Open Morning will be held on Saturday 25 September. They hope you will join them for a happy and enjoyable morning and discover the warm community that is George Heriot’s School.  The school is planning this as an on-site event, however, they ask that you refer to their website (www.george-heriots.com) for the latest information, given the current situation.

Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh

Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh caters for boys aged 7 to 18. The school looks forward to welcoming parents to an Open Morning on Saturday 2 October, when there will be tours of the school and the opportunity to meet staff and pupils. It will be a normal Saturday morning with lessons in classrooms so that you can gain a vibrant impression of the school in action. Personalised tours and 360 degree interactive digital tours are also available for those that cannot attend on the day.

Merchiston is one of the UK’s leading boarding schools, and a member of the World Leading Schools Association (the only school in Scotland), offering the English curriculum, but with a global, outward-looking dimension. Over 65% of pupils board and a full boarding programme is provided, seven days a week. Merchiston is a remarkable school where boys make lifelong friends and community connections, whilst excelling far beyond their expected results and being prepared to leave ready for the world.

Find out more about the Open Morning and register www.merchiston.co.uk/admissions/open-events/open-morning

George Watson’s College

As one of the UK’s most successful schools, George Watson’s College in Edinburgh provides a world-class education from Preschool and Junior School through to Senior 6 on a single campus on the south side of the city.

Life in Maroon means being challenged by brilliant teachers, embracing opportunities, becoming a global citizen, and finding out what you really love.

Watson’s is a place where pupils have the freedom to thrive, succeed, explore, perform, and grow.

This year an Open Morning will take place on Saturday, 2 October, as well as a range of digital event experiences taking place between September and November.

Interested parents can find out more and register at www.gwc.org.uk/joinus