Choice | Diversity | Excellence Directory of Independent Schools in Scotland 2015-2016 Choice | Diversity | Excellence scis.org.uk 1 2 Choice | Diversity | Excellence scis.org.uk Contents About SCIS ............................................................................................................ 5 SCIS Information ................................................................................................. 6 Alphabetical List of Schools .........................................................................11 School Reference Map ....................................................................................12 Geographical List of Schools ........................................................................13 Reference table: Mainstream Schools .......................................................14 Mainstream Schools Profiles ........................................................................18 Complex Additional Support Needs Schools .........................................52 Reference table: Additional Support Needs Schools ..........................54 Additional Support Needs Schools Profiles ............................................55 Choice | Diversity | Excellence scis.org.uk 3 About SCIS Welcome to the 2015 -2016 edition of the SCIS directory of independent schools in Scotland. The Scottish Council of Independent Schools is an educational charity representing over 70 member schools, which educate more than 30,000 children of mixed abilities and backgrounds. SCIS promotes choice, diversity and excellence in Scottish education. SCIS’s Role in Independent Education in Scotland: To provide information, advice and guidance to parents To advance education via curriculum development and the training of teachers To advise member schools and their governing bodies about the educational developments and legislation affecting independent schools(e.g. education, taxation, welfare, health and safety) To communicate and negotiate with the Scottish Parliament, the Government, public and private bodies on behalf of the sector All independent schools in Scotland are required to be registered with the Registrar of Independent Schools. The Registrar is an official of the Scottish Government and appointed by Scottish Ministers. SCIS | 61 Dublin Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6NL. 0131 556 2316 [email protected] www.scis.org.uk Company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland no 125368. Scottish Charity No SC018033 Choice | Diversity | Excellence scis.org.uk 5 SCIS Information Service 6 Choice | Diversity | Excellence scis.org.uk Choice, Diversity, Excellence Independent schools in Scotland offer you the choice of small and large day schools, boarding schools, Co-ed, single-sex schools and complex additional support needs schools. As a group independent schools draw students from all sections of the community, and students who attend independent schools are as diverse as the schools themselves. Choosing a School Parents choose to send their children to independent schools for many different reasons, but above all, they choose independent schools because they feel a particular independent school will best serve their child and their child’s social and educational needs. 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, and to make the most of their time at school. They enjoy a reputation for wide subject choice, a focus on co- curricular pursuits, smaller pupil/teacher ratios and consistently strong exam results. The choice of mainstream schools is wide, and there are also special schools that provide care and education for children with additional support needs. All schools encourage visits from prospective families during their Open Day or at any time during the school year. Staff will be delighted to answer any questions that you may have. Meeting the Cost Fees vary widely between independent schools. Schools are sensitive, particularly in the current economic climate, to the sacrifices that many parents make in order to afford school fees. All schools provide some level of fee assistance, usually awarded on the basis of financial need. This is done to enable children from lower income households, who otherwise would not have the opportunity of an independent education, to benefit, and schools welcome applications for fee assistance. Curriculum and Qualifications Independent schools in Scotland have a strong tradition of academic attainment, reflected in pupils’ performance in public exams. Many schools follow the Scottish curriculum with exams awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. Most boarding schools follow the English curriculum, offering GCSEs, AS and A levels. An increasing number of schools now offer the Scottish and International Baccalaureate. Age Scottish examinations English examinations Year Group Qualification Year Group Qualification For further information visit 15/16 S4 National 4 & 5 Fifth Year GCSE www.sqa.org.uk 16/17 S5 Highers Lower Sixth AS Level www.educationscotland.gov.uk Advanced 17/18 S6 Upper Sixth A2 Highers Choice | Diversity | Excellence scis.org.uk 7 8 Choice | Diversity | Excellence scis.org.uk SCIS Information Service cont... Safeguarding All staff in independent schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the health and welfare of children and young people. Smaller classes, high teacher/pupil ratios, effective pastoral care and house systems (particularly in boarding) all contribute to a caring and nurturing environment. Inspections Independent schools are subject to inspections by Education Scotland. Residential schools and schools with nursery provision are also inspected by the Care Inspectorate. www.educationscotland.gov.uk www.careinspectorate.com Boarding in Scotland Scotland’s Boarding Schools welcome students from all over the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. All 18 boarding schools in Scotland are situated in safe, spacious and idyllic surroundings: from large city boarding schools to smaller rural locations, there is something for everyone. For further information on Scotland’s boarding schools visit www.scotlandsboardingschools.org.uk/ Additional Support Needs Schools A number of independent and grant-aided schools provide specialist care and education for children and young people with complex needs. Most are residential schools that operate all year round, although some are open term-time only. Admissions Parents are advised to make enquiries early – September to November Open days preferably a year in advance – although schools November to December Application deadlines will be as accommodating as possible. The usual January to March Entrance tests admissions cycle is outlined below, although dates June Induction days should be checked with individual schools. August to September Start of school year Choice | Diversity | Excellence scis.org.uk 9 10 Choice | Diversity | Excellence scis.org.uk Alphabetical List of Schools Al- Qalam Primary School 38 Hutchesons' Grammar School 40 Albyn School 18 International School of Aberdeen 18 Ardvreck School 44 Kelvinside Academy 40 Ardfern School 66 Kilgraston School 45 Basil Paterson Middle School 26 Lathallan School 20 Beaconhurst School 50 Lomond School 20 Belhaven Hill School 23 Loretto School 24 Belmont House School 25 Maben House School 59 Cargilfield School 27 The Mary Erskine School 33 Cedars School of Excellence 42 Merchiston Castle School 34 Clifton Hall School 27 Moorehouse Care and Education 69 Closeburn House School 58 Moray Steiner School 43 Common Thread Schools 58 Morrisons Academy 46 The Compass School 23 Newlands Junior College 41 Corseford School 66 The New School 64 Craigclowan Preparatory School 44 Queen Victoria School 51 Craigholme School 38 Rathbone School 60 Daldorch House School & Arran House 60 Regius School 34 Dollar Academy 21 Robert Gordon's College 19 Donaldson's School 68 Royal Blind School 57 Scottish Centre for Children with Motor Dunedin School 56 63 Impairments The Edinburgh Academy 28 Seamab School 65 Edinburgh Steiner School 29 St Aloysius College 41 ESMS Junior School 29 St Columba's School 42 Falkland House School 61 St George's School for Girls 35 Fernhill School 49 St Leonards School 37 Fettes College 30 St Margaret's School for Girls 19 George Heriot's School 31 St Mary's Music School 35 George Watson's College 32 St Mary's Preparatory School 47 The Glasgow Academy 39 Stanmore House School 67 Glenalmond College 45 Starley Hall School 62 Gordonstoun School 43 Stewart's Melville College 36 Hamilton College 49 Strathallan 46 Harmeny School 56 Troup House School 55 High School of Dundee 22 Wellington School, Ayr 48 The High School of Glasgow 39 Hillside School 61 Additional Support Needs Choice | Diversity | Excellence scis.org.uk 11 Map of Scotland 12 Choice | Diversity | Excellence scis.org.uk Geographical List of Schools 1 Aberdeen and Banffshire The Edinburgh Academy Moray Steiner School Troup House School Edinburgh Steiner School 15 North Lanarkshire Albyn School ESMS Junior School The Scottish Centre for Children International School of Aberdeen Fettes College with Motor Impairments Robert Gordon's College George Heriot's School 16 Perth and Kinross St Margaret's School for Girls George Watson's College Ardvreck School 2 Angus Harmeny School Craigclowan Preparatory School Lathallan School The Mary Erskine School Glenalmond College 3 Argyll and Bute Merchiston Castle School Kilgraston School Lomond School Regius School Morrisons