Ages 
Time and again parents told us what a wonderful school this is and how happy their child is. Yes, there are niggles but for the most part the current leadership team seem to have swept away the old silverback chest beating academy of old and brought in a fun, friendly and caring school which tries hard to avoid being a ‘cookie cutter’ factory and really values the individual. Top marks EA…you seem to be rockin’ it.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,136 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 95 ·
- Religion
- Non-denom
- Fees
- £13,757 - £22,200 pa
- Local authority
- The City of Edinburgh Council
Headteacher
Rector
Mr Barry Welsh
Since August 2017, Barry Welsh BSC PGCE (50s). Degree in geography from Loughborough and PGCE from Sheffield. First teaching post at Harrow. After a year off to drive overland to Australia, made the move to Edinburgh as head of geography at Fettes,
Entrance
English and maths test and interview with senior management. Not overly selective but beware there is a waiting list for every year. Take 'geits', for instance, where there were 12 places available for 40 applicants. Sixth form entry requirements
- Open days
- See website
Exit
Over 90 per cent to university, nearly two-thirds in Scotland, the rest to England. Durham is currently the most popular of the English destinations, while St Andrews, Glasgow and Aberdeen battle it out as the top Scottish destinations. Two to
Latest results
In 2025, 97 per cent A-C at National 5; 88 per cent A-B at Higher; 88 per cent A-B at Advanced Higher.
Teaching & learning
Let’s start at the very beginning here because the Edinburgh Academy really is a jolly nice place to start. We loved EA’s nursery and junior school which, apart from having a lovely, cosy and friendly vibe seems to offer some great academic building
Learning support & SEN
The learning support department has three full-time members of staff and two part-time in both the junior school and the senior. They work to support everyone from the very gifted to students on a reduced academic programme with a Support for
Arts & extracurricular
Art is very well provided for with some wonderful light filled creative spaces, which came as a bit of a surprise in such a warren like school. Each A level candidate has their own area of the classroom (our guide was keen to show us his rather
Sport
Still a two-term rugby school, but the first XV no longer rule the roost. Netball and hockey are growing very quickly, especially as parental concern increases over the rugby injury risk. One parent said, ‘Our children have had opportunities way
Ethos & heritage
In the past the school has hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons - an unpleasant bullying incident involving some misplaced macho bravado and in more recent years, an alleged ‘fight club’. But, we’d urge you not to be put off by your Googling.
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
This is where EA truly shines. Eighteen months ago, they commissioned two independent experts to hold a wellbeing survey of every parent, child and staff member and asked the important question, ‘How does the school feel to you?’ The feedback was
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Mobile phones are brought to school at the owner’s risk. They may only be used at appropriate times to make necessary outgoing calls with permission from a member of staff, otherwise they must be kept switched off when the pupils enter the school in the morning, until 3.40pm. This is to avoid distractions during the school day. Any pupil who uses a phone for photographing or for viewing images without authorisation in school time risks forfeiting his or her phone for an indefinite period.
Pupils & parents
‘The big SUV parent is not us.’ Usually both parents work and for many it is a ‘massive sacrifice’ to come to the school.
Money matters
Thanks to some extremely generous bequests, EA has an impressive pot of money available for means tested bursaries. There is a good crop of scholarships for academics, musicians, sportspeople and artists; school may support parents in financial
- Fee information
- £13,757 - £22,200 pa
The last word
Time and again parents told us what a wonderful school this is and how happy their child is. Yes, there are niggles but for the most part the current leadership team seem to have swept away the old silverback chest beating academy of old and brought
