Ages 
This is a high school in the old-fashioned sense - strong discipline and work code, good results, masses of extracurricular activities - which also doubles as a local centre with adult learning classes and much use of the sports facilities. You can't get much better for nowt.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,531 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 195 ·
- Religion
- Non-denom
- Local authority
- The City of Edinburgh Council
Headteacher
Rector
Mrs Pauline Walker
Since 2014, Pauline Walker BSc PGCE (40s), educated in the maintained sector, followed by Heriot Watt; previously head of Gracemount High School. Studied maths and computing (a ‘computing geek’ married to a computing engineer); buzzy, fun and good at
Entrance
Automatic from various feeder primaries if live in catchment address, but see above. Some join the school from other state schools post-National grades (steady stream from Stu Mel down the road), otherwise, penny numbers arrive on a relocation basis.
- Open days
- September
Exit
Odd logistical departure. Over 90 per cent of all pupils generally stay for fifth year (ie Highers) and some 75 per cent for sixth year. More than half to university. Trickle to Oxbridge (but none in 2024). Masses to the Scottish universities –
Latest results
In 2024, S4: 70 per cent achieved at least five awards A-C at National 5; S5: 39 per cent achieved at least five awards A-C at Higher; S6: 47 per cent achieved at least one A-C at Advanced Higher.
Teaching & learning
Max class size 30, going down to 20 for practical subjects and much less in higher years. Regular turnover of staff, with younger and more numerous common room. Usual suspects: maths, English and modern languages set in S1/S2 (four blocks per week
Learning support & SEN
Number of pupils with ‘record of needs'. IEPs and variety of strategies available including one-to-ones, plus support teaching and a family support group on Raising Teens with Confidence. Head of learning support, plus two trained staff and seven
Arts & extracurricular
House system (nations) in place for pastoral care, inter-house competitions and assemblies, as well as games. Exotic trips abroad: skiing in the States, rugby to South Africa to name a couple, and participants run a daily blog home to keep parents
Sport
Terrific new games set up with games hall, fitness room, swimming pool and gym, much used, and former pupils (who have a rather posh sports pavilion on campus) use all the sporting facilities (car parking a bit tight). Myriad of rugby/football
Ethos & heritage
Unique history: dates from 1128; the school 'provided education for 60 boys'; the site most people associate with the school is on Calton Hill, a site much loved by telly news cameras (think overnight vigils, think home rule for Scotland), stunning
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Regular assemblies, good, strong PSE programme, school has to follow City of Edinburgh 'guidelines', so difficult to exclude, but will do so in the case of bullying, physical or otherwise, and abuse. Bullying strategy handbook for all. Very few
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 Pupils must not use phones during or between lessons. This means that phones must not be used for example, for making calls, checking the time, texting or used as a calculator. Mobile phones/headphones etc must not be visible during or between lessons, equipment must be switched off and stored in the pupil’s bag.
Pupils & parents
Strong PSA and parent council organisation basically 'affluent middle class, but a very wide intake – with a whole range of social and ethnic backgrounds'; the catchment area covers Davidsons Mains, Clermiston, Blackhall and Cramond. The school is
Money matters
Building maintained by PPP. Regular PSA fundraising including raffles and fairs, tranche of endowments (including Mary, Queen of Scots) provide tiny scholarships (‘through awards’) for pupils who have done well at the school; not a lot, 'just a nice
The last word
This is a high school in the old-fashioned sense - strong discipline and work code, good results, masses of extracurricular activities - which also doubles as a local centre with adult learning classes and much use of the sports facilities. You can't
