Ensuring that you secure the best possible education for your child tends to top the list of priorities for most parents, and understandably so. One of the many superlatives that Edinburgh has to offer is that this historic city is packed full of well-respected secondary schools – both private and public. Here at AMC we have delivered removal services to Edinburgh for the last two decades and a number of our team have children at the local high schools. We put our heads together and put down a list of the best local Edinburgh high schools.
James Gillespie’s High School
A school packed full of character along with academical consistency, this rather ‘hippie’ school is neatly tucked away in the centre of Marchmont. Yes, you’ve read it correctly – ‘hippie.’ Unlike their closest neighbours, Boroughmuir High School, Gillespie’s have placed emphasis on the importance of self-expression by allowing their students not to wear uniform. By steering away from the conventional approach to attire, Gillespie’s enables students to help construct their social identity through fashion. The school offers students a wider social experience, a better insight into ‘the real world’ from their differing catchment areas and an emphasis on collectivism through their school ethos of diversity. Although traditionally a more musical school, Gillespie’s has recently produced successful athletes, such as Scotland rugby player Damien Hoyland and Olympic Gold Medallist Callum Skinner.
Now, freedom of expression is great but you may ask how does Gillespie’s perform academically? Well, Gillespie’s has been nothing but consistent throughout the years in academic performance, to say the least, by achieving the following:
- In 2015 Gillespies was named ‘Scottish State School of the Year’
- Ranked 2nd best state school in Edinburgh by Schoolguide
- 59% of school leavers have 5 or more Highers (average is 31%).
- 1,251 pupils
Boroughmuir High School
Across Bruntsfield Links to their soon to be new location, Fountainbridge, is Edinburgh’s official number one state school for academic performance, Boroughmuir High School. Unlike their closest rivals Gillespie’s, students have to follow the more traditional dress code of shirt and tie. Despite being a state school, throughout the years Boroughmuir has managed to construct an almost private school image through their many sporting and academic achievements. They boast a rugby team capable of competing against Scotland’s private schools, their consistent academic performances would make you question spending large sums of money on a private school, and they own a dashing blazer that would make any Morningsider proud. In short, this is a school that offers plenty of opportunity. Here are the stats:
- Ranked best state school in Edinburgh by Schoolguide
- 74% of school leavers have 5 or more Highers (average is 31%).
- 1,196 pupils
Broughton High School
Tucked in between Edinburgh’s famous Stockbridge and Inverleith Park is Broughton High School. This school offers a lot more to students than just a quality education. It is home to a specialised music department: the City of Edinburgh Music School, and has also been chosen to be one of the seven schools selected in Scotland by the Scottish Football Association to support young talented footballers by providing them with extra coaching.
It may not have the urban hippie feel that Gillespie’s provides, nor quite the academic reputation of Boroughmuir, but it does present a number of opportunities for students to flourish in both traditional academia as well as sport and the arts. Although its stats trail somewhat behind both Boroughmuir and Gillespies, it still sits high up the table of Edinburgh’s best state schools at 5th:
- 24% of students leave with 5 or more highers
- 1128 pupils
- Ranked 5th best state school in Edinburgh by Schoolguide
The Edinburgh Academy
Going to Edinburgh Academy is like being given a golden key that will open a lot of doors in the years to come. It sits imperiously at the top of table for last year’s Advanced Higher results, with an impressive 86.53% of Edinburgh Academy students gaining A’s and B’s. If you want your child to achieve something in sport, then Edinburgh Academy isn’t a bad choice either. Most famously known for producing international rugby players, the school has nurtured Scotland’s previous rugby captain Mike Blair, Scotland 7s player Jamie Farndale, not to mention the exciting prospect of Blair Kinghorn.
However, as you would expect this golden key doesn’t come cheap, with student fees costing around £4,548 per term. As with other independent schools, Edinburgh Academy does provide scholarships to students, with bursaries potentially making up to 100% of school fees.
Fettes College
Fettes College has officially become Scotland’s most expensive boarding school, taking in both boys and girls. With fees amounting to a whopping figure of almost £27,000 per year, you are not only sending your child the best possible education that Scotland has to offer, but you are also sending them to be potentially part of Scotland’s social elite. Having your child brought up in an environment that includes some of Scotland’s most privileged, undeniably provides a unique network of connections that can benefit them in the future.
Just take a look at some of the previous graduates to come out of Fettes College. The boarding school enjoys a glittering list of the famous successful including film producer Tilda Swinton and the former prime minister, Tony Blair.
Directly comparing Fettes College’s academic performances to other Scottish schools is tricky since their pupils sit A-levels and International Baccalaureates. Fettes College stated that last year 56% of its students achieved an A+ or an A at A Level or IB.
