Features of the education system in Scotland
Independent schools in Scotland differ from educational institutions in other historical provinces of Great Britain in their slightly modified education system. Despite the similarity of mentality and approaches to the educational process, Scotland stands out for several non-standard solutions in this area. And its most striking feature was the introduction of innovations against the backdrop of deep respect for centuries-old Scottish traditions.
The Scots, having become part of the United Kingdom, chose to maintain the traditional education system, as well as the name of the educational stages and exams. Differences in the names of these stages have become a distinctive feature between the two systems. Thus, the English Key Stages in primary and secondary schools in Scotland are called National, GCSE exams, which are included in the certificate of secondary education - Standard Grades, AS exams (for the first year studying under the A-level program) - Highers, and A2 exams (respectively for the second year of study) - Advanced Highers.
The fundamental difference between the Scottish educational system and the English one is that its curriculum includes more subjects. At the Highers stage (first year of A-level), Scots study 4-6 subjects, while in English there are only 3-4. This helps to increase the level of general erudition of Scottish schoolchildren without prematurely imposing on them a narrow specialization.
Another difference between the Scottish education system and the English one is that you can enter university immediately after Highers (first year of A-level), and it is not at all necessary to complete the Advanced Highers program (second year of A-level). Thus, Scottish students finish school a year earlier, but their university studies last a year longer than the English - not three years, but four.
To be admitted to most Scottish universities, an applicant must successfully pass at least four Highers exams, but to enter particularly prestigious faculties or universities with a higher ranking, you must provide the results of five Highers exams.
It is characteristic that in the first year of a Scottish university the curriculum also includes a greater variety of subjects. This increases its general educational potential and makes it less focused on narrow subjects than English.
The final year at a Scottish school - Advanced Highers - is in many ways similar to the second year of A-levels. Here they also study 3-4 subjects: they either continue to study the same ones as in Highers, or start new ones. But unlike the English, the Scots pay more attention to preparing for university. The A-level program also provides for partial study of the material on your own, but in Advanced Highers much more attention is paid to this. In particular, the program includes: writing coursework, projects and essays; students can undergo practical training in some disciplines, learn to independently conduct research, analyze and prepare written work at the university level. The Advanced Highers program is considered more complex than the A-level - accordingly, its graduates receive a higher UCAS score. ( What is the UCAS tariff?)
For example, a grade A in the Scottish system is “worth” 10 points more than the same grade in the English system. Due to reforms in the education system and the constantly changing A-level program, the assessment rate may also change. You can check this on the UCAS website ().
The difference between the two systems is simple.
Scottish version: finish the Highers program - go to a Scottish university - study there for 4 years.
English version: complete the full Advanced Highers program - go to university - study for 3 years.
But graduates of the Advanced Highers program who choose a Scottish university have the opportunity to enter the second year immediately.
To summarize, it is worth remembering: the one-year Advanced Highers program is the same as the first year of a 4-year study at a Scottish university. The question is where the student would prefer to take it: at school plus 3 years at the university or at the university for a full 4 years.
Nota bene to parents: Having chosen a Scottish school for your child, do not worry whether he will later be accepted into an English university - all British graduates have equal opportunities. Moreover, as we have already substantiated, a graduate of a Scottish school even has a slight advantage compared to a graduate of an English school.
Thus, when choosing between England and Scotland, pay attention to just one aspect: how the child will get to the place of study in the changeable Scottish weather. Regarding logistics: understand all aspects of Scottish airports. As for the weather, although the weather in Scotland is less predictable than in England, its vagaries are fully compensated by the picturesque nature, clean air and incredible beauty of this ancient country.
Those who want to speak English well and study abroad often prefer Scotland. The main advantage is the level of teaching. Native speakers work here, which means that you will learn the correct pronunciation. The cost of studying in Scotland is not the lowest, but the results will not be long in coming.
Secondary education
Scotland is also chosen for education - secondary and higher. The education system in Scotland involves a seven-year primary school course and six years of secondary school. After this, you can submit documents to the university and receive a certificate Highers.
Children in Scotland are educated for Russians in private schools. Quality education is provided and an individual approach is practiced. In high school, students are already deciding on their further specialization. The knowledge will be more than enough to enter one of the best British universities.
Naturally, teaching in English is practiced in Scotland. And if students have an insufficient level of English, they can study at a language school at the same time. There are also specialized Russian schools. As a rule, children study in the evenings or on weekends.
Children's language programs
Children are taught English in Scotland in special language schools. You can also go there for a summer camp. This is the most convenient way in which you do not have to be distracted from your studies. It’s interesting to study, there are excursions for children, and there will be a lot of entertainment.
Courses for adults
Education in Scotland for adults involves a considerable number of educational programs. Beginners can learn Beginners ). Teachers will help you learn the basics from scratch. There are also intensive programs, business English. Russian English teachers can also study in Scotland for the purpose of improving their qualifications.
From everyone who trained in Scotland, the feedback is only positive. The result is visible in practice: pronunciation improves significantly, vocabulary expands, and speaking becomes easier.
Higher education
Scotland is the country of choice for higher education. There are universities there that are among the top best universities in the world. For example, the University of Glasgow, the University of Edinburgh. Education at universities in Scotland lasts 4 years according to the bachelor's program. Then you can enroll in a master's program. To enroll in a bachelor's degree, you need to pass entrance examinations, an international test IELTS.
Studying at universities in Scotland means receiving a decent education in the field of medicine, law, exact sciences, economics and other fields.
Master's degree
Master's studies in Scotland can last one year in an accelerated program. Unlike obtaining a bachelor's degree, to enroll in a master's program you need to contact the university directly. You won't have to deal with UCAS . You can then get a doctorate.
Higher education and master's degrees in Scotland are usually provided to foreign students on a fee basis. But in some cases you can count on free education in Scotland or various benefits. We are talking about international grants and university scholarships for special student services.
How much does it cost?
If you want to undergo language training in Scotland, the price depends on the duration and intensity. Thus, language courses in Edinburgh can cost about 800 pounds for two weeks. You also need to consider accommodation and food.
Studying in Scotland is not considered the most expensive, but for Russians the cost may seem high, it depends on the exchange rate of the pound. If you study in Scotland and combine study with work, this is an ideal option.
Those who want to study in Scotland for free must try very hard. In the case of children, you must have Scottish citizenship. If we are talking about adults, it is necessary to have certain successes in the learning process. There is always a chance to win an educational grant.
If you have decided that you want to study in Scotland, please contact Logos Study Group . Here they will help you choose a suitable educational program and tell you how much it costs to study in Scotland. All that remains is to prepare the documents, which they will also help with. Don't miss the chance to study in the UK!
Education in Scotland is distinguished by the flexibility of the curriculum, the breadth of choice of subjects and the high level of teaching, which is why it is extremely attractive for Russian and other foreign students. Studying in the country is possible at almost any age - there are interesting options for different needs. There are many educational institutions operating here, where they receive high-quality knowledge and certification documents that are valued among employers all over the world.
The following education system is adopted in Scotland:
- Preschool preparation for children under 5 years old.
- Primary School. Here students receive knowledge for 7 years.
- Secondary School. Designed for children aged 12 to 16 years.
- Secondary school (Higher Grade) - preparation for Higher (an exam required for admission to university).
- A specialized institution (college), whose graduates receive a specialty.
- University education - diploma (Undergraduate) and postgraduate (Postgraduate).
Let us consider in more detail the middle and highest stages of this system.
Secondary education in Scotland
In secondary school, students range in age from 12 to 16 or 18 years old. Everyone without exception is required to attend classes for the first 4 years. Final certification is carried out by passing the Standard Grade exam, which is similar to the GCSE accepted in England. After this, the student receives a certificate of secondary education and independently chooses his future path. There are 2 options. A student can go to college and receive a specialized education or continue his studies at school and become the holder of a Higher Grade certificate, which allows him to enter a university.
The performance scale in secondary educational institutions resembles the Russian one, but is indicated not by numbers, but by letters. The highest score is A (analogous to our “excellent” grade), and E means “very bad” and indicates that the student did not cope with the task proposed to him.
From 16 to 18 years of age, schoolchildren are trained according to a program that includes 4-6 disciplines. A narrow specialization is not imposed on the children, as, for example, in England, where only 3-4 subjects are studied in high school. This approach is aimed at increasing the level of children’s general erudition and developing their horizons.
Highers exams are usually taken in the 5th year of secondary school and cover 4-6 subjects. In order to enter the most prestigious faculties or top universities, you need to complete the “6th year” of school and receive an Advanced Higher certificate. This document is equivalent to an A-level diploma and is recognized by all universities in the United Kingdom. In the “sixth year,” students write coursework, prepare projects, undergo internships, learn to independently conduct research, analyze and prepare written work in accordance with university requirements.
Private schools
The country's educational system is considered one of the best and allows a child to gain not only a solid store of knowledge, but also invaluable life experience. Foreigners who want to study at school abroad usually choose private institutions. They are distinguished by more advanced equipment and a personalized approach to each student. There are boarding schools in the country, both mixed and intended only for boys or girls.
Among the advantages of private schools are the following:
- A rich subject study program that allows you to receive a large amount of information.
- A variety of extracurricular activities aimed at developing and realizing the creative and athletic abilities of schoolchildren.
- Modern material and technical base.
- Personal education, which cultivates in children such traits as responsibility, the ability to think critically, tolerance, etc.
The campuses of private boarding schools are impressive in their development and equipment. There is everything you need for a comfortable stay. The internal infrastructure includes a variety of sports grounds (football, tennis, basketball, etc.). There are libraries and shops on site. Students live in residences that fully comply with modern technological requirements.
Studying on vacation
The education system in the state is represented by summer language camps, which offer educational and entertainment programs for children. Staying in a country where everyone speaks English will improve your child’s speaking skills, while studying in Scotland will not be a burden at all. The educational process includes not only traditional classes in the classroom, but also active pastime outside the classroom. Children attend various excursions, thanks to which they get acquainted with the key attractions of the country. Sports and entertainment activities are offered daily. The guys constantly communicate in English and also make new acquaintances with children from other countries. This teaches the student rapid socialization, develops communication skills and broadens his horizons.
The minimum duration of vacation programs is 14 days. At the end of the course, students always take a final test. After successful completion, a corresponding document is issued.
The cost of studying in English in Scotland for this program is calculated taking into account such parameters as:
- length of stay;
- type of accommodation;
- intensity of preparation.
On average, 2-week ones cost 2,000–3,500 British pounds.
Professional education
You can get it after completing the basic course of high school. There are currently 43 specialized colleges in the state, many of which actively cooperate with universities. Such a partnership between educational institutions provides a student with an excellent opportunity to receive special vocational education and continue studying in the same field at a university from the 2nd or even 3rd year.
The most popular areas of training are IT, electronics, engineering, tourism, media, finance, etc. The professional training program consists of 2 stages, at the end of each of which a corresponding document is issued: after a year of study - Higher National Certificate, after 2 years - Higher Education Diploma. Colleges have high standards for their students, which is why employers in all countries value their graduates.
Higher education
The education system at universities in Scotland has a 2-stage structure; After each stage you can receive a diploma and a corresponding academic degree.
1. Undergraduate. To obtain a bachelor's degree, you must successfully complete a 4-year program. After completing one more course, the student receives a Bachelor with Honors. A wide range of core subjects are taught in the first and second years. Next, students study special disciplines depending on the chosen specialization.
Local universities are distinguished by the flexibility of their curricula. Students have the opportunity to study a wide variety of disciplines, even if they are taught in different departments.
Graduates can be awarded double degrees (joint degrees), for example, a diploma in both economics and accounting. Some universities offer the famous “sandwich courses,” where classroom semesters are interspersed with on-the-job training. This allows students to gain valuable practical experience while studying in Scotland, which will be very useful in the future when finding a job. Many employers give preference to such candidates.
Scotland, part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, differs sharply from its neighbors. She managed to achieve significant autonomy from England, thanks to which the local flavor that attracts tourists has been largely preserved. Tourists who come to this country for the first time will be impressed not only by the local cities and parks, but also by the ancient castles. Some of them have been reconstructed and look about the same as they did hundreds of years ago. History buffs won't want to miss other historic attractions in cities like Aberdeen, with its thousand-year history.
Scotland is no less attractive in terms of education. Parents send their children here to study in primary, middle and high schools, as well as for higher education.
Most Scottish schools are state schools, with only a small percentage of students attending private schools. All schools in Scotland are required to register with the Department of Education and Industry. The quality of education and conditions are regularly checked by department inspectors.
Private schools in Scotland are of greater interest to foreign children, especially those that operate on a boarding basis and provide accommodation for their students. Another important advantage of these schools is more diverse programs and better equipment. Children from other countries feel comfortable and safe here, which helps them quickly adapt to the new environment and avoid the stress associated with moving to another country. Therefore, parents who want their child to receive a quality education will make the right choice if they send him to one of the schools in Scotland.
Education in Scotland
The country's course aimed at its autonomy from England did not affect the desire to master the best that is in the civilized world. Education in Scotland, of which this country is rightfully proud, was no exception. The Scots do not consider their education system inferior to the British one, which for many is the standard, and they strive to stand out against its background. The main features of the Scottish education system are shown in the table:
|
Level of education |
Age of students |
Features of training |
|
|
Elementary education |
From 5 to 12 years |
In primary school, students develop basic skills such as writing, reading, arithmetic. |
|
|
Secondary education |
Compulsory secondary education |
From 12 to 16 years |
In secondary school, the course of subjects studied expands. Upon completion of training, students take exams and receive a certificate of secondary education. |
|
Higher secondary education |
From 16 to 18 years old |
Students who plan to obtain higher education continue their studies at a higher secondary school to obtain a HigherGrade certificate. |
|
|
Higher education |
To obtain basic higher education, that is, a bachelor's degree, students study for four years. After this, you can continue to study for a master's degree and doctorate. |
||
A key feature of Scottish education is the wide range of knowledge and skills acquired. The extensive experience of Scottish universities is evidenced by the fact that four of the first six universities were opened in Scotland (the University of St Andrews, the University of Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen and the University of Edinburgh). Every year, students from different countries come here for diverse knowledge that opens up a lot of new horizons. On average, the number of foreign students in Scottish universities is 10-15% of the total, and in some it reaches 45%.
Having received an education in Scotland, you will certainly achieve your goals and open up a lot of opportunities and prospects in your future career.
Study in Scotland
Studying in Scotland is represented in several areas:
Primary and secondary schools
Higher education
Language schools
Summer language camps for children
Education in Scotland has many advantages, which explains its popularity. Here are the main ones:
✔ As mentioned earlier, Scottish education is of the highest standards and is renowned throughout the world for its quality.
✔ Diplomas from local universities are recognized in all countries of the world.
✔ Many Scottish universities, including the University of Edinburgh, are among the TOP universities in the UK. Specialties such as the oil and gas industry, engineering, IT and applied sciences are especially developed here.
✔ The cost of education in Scottish schools, as well as prices for accommodation in the country, are somewhat lower than in the UK.
✔ Studying in Scotland is an opportunity not only to get an education, but also to spend an unforgettable time in a beautiful country, which is known for its rich cultural life, picturesque landscapes, vibrant festivals and ancient history.
✔ In addition to quality education in Scottish schools, you can get powerful language practice and significantly improve your English language skills.
A long history of existence, worldwide recognition and positive feedback from students are the best evidence of the quality of Scottish education. By enrolling in a local school or university, you will certainly be satisfied with your choice and will be able to achieve all your goals.
Scottish schools
It is worth mentioning separately about private Scottish schools that provide English language courses for foreign students. Edinburgh schools are the most popular, but students can study English not only in the capital, but also in other equally interesting cities. All schools are well equipped and have excellent academic resources - comfortable classrooms, modern technological equipment, and computers with Internet access. Some schools also offer sports, arts and entertainment facilities.
Edinburgh English Language Schools provide courses for students of all ages and nationalities. You can take a general or business English course, a preparation course for passing exams or entering an English-speaking university. In language schools, education is conducted with complete immersion in the language environment. This practice is considered the most effective and allows you to overcome the language barrier in the shortest possible time and achieve your goals.
If you want your child to improve their English language skills, any of the many Scottish schools for children is at your service. They are organized on the principle of summer camps - here children can not only improve their English skills, but also spend an exciting holiday. Many schools offer sports, art, or other academic classes in addition to traditional classes. An integral part of studying at language schools is an introduction to the culture and attractions of Edinburgh, as well as an exciting entertainment program.
The staff of language schools also take care of the accommodation of their students and offer different housing options. This could be a host family, residence, apartment or hotel. Homestays help you get to know the Scottish lifestyle and culture better, while residences and apartments are preferred by more independent students.
An English course at a language school in Scotland will be a wonderful gift for your child. Here children make new friends, learn independence and spend an unforgettable time that they will remember for many years to come.
September 29th, 2014 , 06:44 am
Open day at George Heriot School in Edinburgh, Scotland.
The school was founded in 1628 with £23,625 (several tens of millions of pounds in today's money), bequeathed by the jeweler Heriott to the city of Edinburgh for construction hospital(as boarding schools were called in those days) for the education of orphan boys.. Since 1880, schooling has become paid, but some students still receive scholarships from the school’s charitable foundation. Since 1979, girls began studying at the school. The total number of students from 3 to 18 years old today is about 1,600 people.
(Photo taken from here.)
One of the recent urban legends is associated with the school. Just around the corner from the school in the cafe "The Elephant House" in the mid-90s, an unemployed single mother wrote a children's book. About a magical school, located in a beautiful building with turrets somewhere in the mountains of Scotland, which has many of the features of traditional British private schools. The fictional school is called Hogwarts. And since Rowling’s first book was published, many believe that Hogwarts was copied from George Heriot’s. Whether this is true or not, the writer does not admit, but her two youngest children study at GHS.
The main school building has remained virtually unchanged since the 17th century. Evil tongues claim that not all 4 towers are heated equally, so sometimes children choose their items depending on the temperature in the classrooms in winter. But this, too, may be a legend.
Over almost 400 years, the school gradually expanded. Some school buildings (rugby fields, rowing pavilion) are scattered around Edinburgh, but most were gradually rebuilt or bought around the main building, eventually gathering a very original and eclectic ensemble.
Inner courtyard of the main building: 
The spiral staircases in the towers are just like in Hogwarts:
It is not known for certain whether there are ghosts there, but at night students are asked to refrain from visiting.
All parallels have their own sections of the territory with tables for eating, bike sheds and racks where you can leave bags with sports equipment in the morning so as not to carry them around the school all day. In principle, the territory and buildings of the school are not protected. 
On the right is the brand new sports center, on the left is the classics department: 
When it is no longer possible to attach, they begin to use collapsible trailers (in the background there is a cap - Edinburgh Castle): 
Junior primary school building (grades 1-3). Here you can see how the open day is organized. Each family receives a pair of school students in elementary school as accompanying children, then another pair in high school. And they answer all questions and give a tour of different areas of the school:
As far as possible in ancient buildings, the school premises are adapted for the disabled: 
Monument to all graduates and staff of the school who died in different wars:
The school is divided into 3 levels: kindergarten, primary school and high school. I once heard a very important principle from the headmaster of another Edinburgh private school. "If a child is not happy, he will not learn." What all the private schools I have seen (as well as good public schools) do is, in addition to actually cramming knowledge into children's heads, they try to create an environment in which children will be happy to receive this knowledge.
First stage: kindergarten (nursery). For children approximately 3-5 years old. This is not yet part of compulsory secondary education (in Scotland, depending on what month the child is born, children enter first grade between 4.5 and 5.5 years old). Children "study" there from 8:15 to 14:00. If necessary, they can then be taken to an after-school program until 6 pm.
Separate kindergarten building:
They start sorting garbage from a very early age: 
Second stage - primary school. Lasts 7 years (Primary 1 -7).
2nd class office:
3rd class office: 
There are relatively many children in the classes - 25-30. However, very few subjects are taught to the whole class. For writing, reading and maths, from Year 1 onwards, children are divided into subgroups based on ability to learn the subject at a pace that suits each child. Closer to high school, they begin to divide the entire parallel. Let's say six seventh grades are divided into six sets in mathematics, each set is divided into three more subgroups. That is, there is no single mathematics program for the 7th grade. There are 18 groups, each of which is at its own level. Groups are reviewed several times a year and children move up and down. The same child can be in the top group in reading and in the bottom group in math. In high school, the system applies to most subjects. As a result, children will graduate from school having completed different amounts of the curriculum in, for example, mathematics, but those who find mathematics difficult will not have to feel inferior to their more mathematically gifted classmates. Those who can go as far as they can will go as far as they can.
The basic principle of teaching in elementary school is built around topics. For a couple of months, children read, write, draw, etc. on the topic of, say, water. They learn to search, process and present information on every topic. A few examples:
Here is a new dictionary on the topic of Ancient Rome (this is second grade, 6 years old). Each class is equipped with an interactive board (smartboard):
7th grade office. The principle is the same, but a little less colorful. Gas masks, etc. are visible on the desk. - in the 7th grade, the topic of the Second World War is usually covered in great detail with trips to museums in London, etc. In general, the topic of memory of wars and especially the Second World War is heard very often in British schools.
On the left you can see glasses with pencils - in elementary school everyone writes with a pencil so that mistakes can be easily corrected.
The waste sorting system at school becomes more complex than in kindergarten: 
Third stage - senior school - 6 classes. Compulsory education by law is 4th grade. You can enter Scottish universities after the 5th or 6th grade. To universities in other parts of the UK - only after the 6th. In private schools, usually more than 95% of children go to university.
The first two years of high school - all children go through without choice
- English
- mathematics
- foreign language
- physical education + sports games
- biology
- chemistry
- physics
- technology and design
- music
- drama
- fine art and design
- home economics
- geography
- story
- IT
- philosophy, religion and classics
- citizenship (?)
- recent history
After two years, only 8 subjects remain in grade 3/4. English, foreign and mathematics are required + 5 more optional subjects.
In addition to those listed above, accounting, business, CAD/drafting, and Latin are also offered. There are several subjects that you can take additionally without an exam “for fun”.
There are five subjects left in fifth grade. There may be even fewer left in the sixth.
The British are very suspicious of photographing children, so I only took pictures where no one was there.
Cabinet of Contemporary History:
Oh well..
Department of Fine Arts ("art and design"):
Technology Department. Both girls and boys make “stools” on machines. I didn’t get into the home economics department - both boys and girls prepare, and often both take home economics as an additional subject without an exam. In some schools (I'm not sure about this one) it is a compulsory subject in the senior year, before leaving for university.
And here are the ready-made “stools”: 
Department of Foreign Languages. In my opinion, the weakest link in British secondary education. The legacy of a great empire is that the whole world should speak English. Truly foreign languages are taught only in linguistic departments of universities. School knowledge, even in the best schools, is very, very modest. Which, of course, doesn’t stop you from going on exciting “language” trips, be it to France or China.
"After-school"(open in the morning 7:45-8:30 and after school/kindergarten from 2:00 to 6:00). The maximum cost for a student will be £22.60 per day (2260 rubles), but there are flexible options for paying slightly less. There They also organize day camps during the holidays.
The kitchen is not for lunch, but so that children can cook something themselves as an activity: 
There are practically no free walls in the school corridors. Everything is hung (not specifically for open days, but always!) with children's works.
Hot topic in the Wars of Scottish Independence: 
A few years ago, a new sports center was built at the school. In general, a distinctive feature of private schools is that there is not just a lot of sports, but a lot. Most children play sports after school almost every day of the week. More than half of the British Olympic medalists at the London Olympics came from private schools. It must be said that the trend also extends to public schools - the higher the school’s academic results, the more sports are played in the school.
The pride of the school is its 350-year-old garden/vegetable garden.
School uniforms, as in most private schools, are very strictly regulated. Most are unique to the school; shoes, shirts and pants must be in matching colors. Girls wear only kilts, trousers are not allowed. All rules are described in detail in the school information, so they are not a surprise to parents - they can be easily found out before applying to the school. For non-compliance with the uniform, starting with an untucked shirt, high school students receive punishment - “detention” (see “Harry Potter”) All school excursions are required, regardless of the weather, to wear uniform. (photo from the school website).
Boys under 11 are required to wear shorts all year round (in winter the temperature in Edinburgh sometimes drops to -10).
Plus, special uniforms for different sports. In general, a very significant expense for parents (photos from the school website)
School uniforms are part of a fairly strict discipline system at school. This is one of the differences between private schools. On the one hand, they try to show children the most individual approach and create soft and friendly conditions for learning. On the other hand, in order for the school to remain a school and not turn into a farce, they build the external framework of discipline more strictly than in state schools - uniforms, visits, etc. In high school there is a punishment system. For being late, having a cell phone turned on at school, untidiness in clothing, etc. you can get work off. Several detentions are equal to expulsion from school for 1 day. There are a number of violations (starting with smoking in school uniform, even if not on its territory), for which you can be expelled forever.
Prices.
A year of schooling, depending on age, costs from 7 to 10 thousand pounds. There are two types of scholarships in high school. The first, bursary, is for children from low-income families or those who have lost one/two parents, who passed the school exam and were admitted. The scholarship reaches 100% of the cost of study + discounts on food and uniform. In this case, the school first offers the child a place. and then receives information from parents about their financial situation, which allows them to qualify for a discount.
The second type of scholarships - scholarships - are especially gifted in academic, sports or musical disciplines. Scholarships are provided through the school's endowment fund.
Edinburgh has the highest proportion of children in private schools in the UK - 25% (I suspect that certain areas of London have a much higher percentage, but not the city as a whole). The national average is 7%.
Admission.
In principle, you can enroll in the school at any time, except for the fourth grade of high school, if there are places, but the main entry points are pre-school, 1st grade, 6th and 7th grade of primary school (both years the school admits a whole new class), 1st grade of high school (approximately 1/3 of the “new” students enter high school). The older you get, the more stringent the entrance exams. The competition for high school admission is several people per place. All other things being equal, an advantage is given to children whose siblings are already studying at school, or whose parents, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, etc. graduated from school.
Scholarship issues are resolved after passing the exams, that is, whether the family has funds for education does not in any way affect whether the child will be offered a place at school or not.
The school has no boarding and no school bus services, meaning it is aimed only at children living in Edinburgh.
Mugs
The school has a huge selection of extracurricular activities. Some - during breaks, some after school. Most are free. You only need to pay for those that require additional uniforms, transportation, rental of sports facilities, etc. (horse riding, golf, etc.) I didn't have the energy to translate. For those interested, the list of clubs is in English.
Amnesty international
Aqua Zumba
Archery
Art & Craft Club
Astronomy
Athletics
Badminton
Basketball
Board Games Club
Book Club
Brownies
Business
CCF
Chanter/Drumming Club
Charities
Chess Club
Chinese chess
Choir
Choreography Club
Christian union
Circuits
Classical Greek interest class
Classics
Clay Pigeon shooting
Climbing
Concert band
Creative Writing
Crest award
Cricket
Cross country
Cross Country Running
Cub Scouts
Current affairs
Curling
Cycle training
Dance
Debating
Design
Digital photography
Double Six
Drama
Eco club
Equestrian
European Youth parliament
Fashion and Textiles
Fencing
Fencing
Filmmaking
fitness
Flute
Football
French drama
fun ball
Gardening
Geography/Geology
Golf
Gymnastics
Highland dancing
Hill walking
Hockey
horse riding
ice skating
Investigating Christianity
Italian culture
Judo
Karting
Kids Lit Quiz
Lacrosse
Lamond challenge triathlon
Lego
Life Saving
Manga
Model making
Model United nations
Mountain Boarding
Musical
Netball
Outdoor activities
Philosophy
Pilates
Pipe band
Pupil council
Quiz teams
Rackets
RBS school bank
Record
Robotics
Rock Climbing
Rowing
Rugby
Running
Sailing
Saxophone Ensemble
Science and technology
Scrabble Club
Scribbles to Storyboards
Shooting
Singing
Ski
Ski race
Softball
Spanish dancing
STAGE lighting
Stem/Crest science club
Story telling
String quartet
Surf
Swimming
Swing band
Synchronized Swimming
Table football
Table tennis
Tennis
Theater
Theater visits
Touch Rugby
Uni Hoc
Volleyball
Warhammer
Water polo
Wind ensemble
Yoga
Young enterprise
Debate club premises: 
It’s not very visible on the board - the topic of the latest debate is “should private schools be banned?” The basic principle of the debate is that the child is randomly given a topic that he needs to defend. He may equally end up arguing “private schools should be banned” and “private schools should not be banned.” His job is to find weighty arguments in favor of the point of view that he has, regardless of which option he considers correct.
Other topics in recent months: “should prisoners be allowed to vote in elections”, “should we shorten school holidays”, “should we abolish the monarchy”, “whether we believe in ghosts”, “should we legalize marijuana”, “should we leave the EU”.
Although the vast majority of private school parents and staff voted against independence in the recent referendum, they are passionate supporters of Scottish traditions. The school has its own orchestra:
(photo from the school website)
Fans of bagpipe art can listen to the performance of the school orchestra on YouTube:
National dances are also popular among students:
(photo from the school website)
In the end, I would like to note one important thing, in my opinion. Of course, private schools have more funds for technical equipment of the school, clubs and trips. They have more staff and opportunities to help children with needs that are very different from the average - those who are doing something particularly poorly or very well. As a result, of course, private schools have higher academic results and it is more interesting for children to study there. However, what is very important, in my opinion, all the basic principles of educational organization, educational style and approaches, in private schools, as far as I have seen, are practically no different from public ones.