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What it's like

Founded in 1741, the George Watson's Boys' College was amalgamated with George Watson's Ladies College in 1974. Its impressive buildings are very well equipped with modern facilities; they stand on a single campus, which includes the playing fields, to the south of the city centre. The school has a distinguished record of achievement and academic standards are high. Most of the pupils are local, though school buses bring pupils for East and West Lothian and Midlothian and from Haymarket Station. Its declared objectives are to develop happy and motivated young people, who are eager to learn and achieve - thus enabling them to live their lives to the full, to understand the world they live in, to be active in serving other people and to commit themselves to causes with open-eyed and critical awareness. There is great emphasis on pastoral care and on the personal and social development education programme. There are immensely strong music, drama, art and technology departments involving a large number of pupils. A wide variety of sports and games is available and high standards are achieved (a very large number of county and international representatives). There are many clubs and societies and a big commitment to local community schemes. Considerable emphasis on outdoor pursuits and much use is made of the fine opportunities that Scotland provides. The record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award is outstanding and its pipes and drums are recognised worldwide.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 2318 day pupils (1243 boys, 1075 girls). Senior department 12-18, 1340 pupils (697 boys, 643 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 5, 11, 12, 14 and 16. Own entrance exam used. No special skills or religious requirements. Many pupils from own junior school (enquiries to the Admissions Secretary, tel 0131 446 6007, email jsadmissions@gwc.org.uk)

Scholarships & bursaries

11 pa scholarships, up to 25% of fees. Foundation bursaries, up to 100% of fees, based on financial need. Priority given to 11-12-year-olds (though on-going awards available at any stage of the senior school). Parents expected to buy textbooks in senior school only.

Parents

25+% are doctors, lawyers, etc, 15% in education, 15+% in industry or commerce. 50+% live within 3 miles.

Head & staff

Principal: Gareth Edwards, appointed 2001. Educated at Tudor Grange Grammar School, Solihull 6th Form College and Oxford University (literae humaniores). Previously Rector and Principal at Morrison's Academy, Vice-Principal of Newcastle under Lyme and Head of Classics at Bolton (Boys). Teaching staff: 182 full time, 19 part time. Annual turnover 4%. Average age 43.

Exam results

S-grades: 203 in S-grade year. Highers: 230 in Higher year: 52% pass in 5+ subjects; 32% in 4; 15% in 3 subjects. Advanced higher: 198 in Advanced higher year: 2% pass in 4+ subjects; 24% in 3; 30% in 2 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 460.

Pupils' destinations

92% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course, 7% to Oxbridge, 76% to Scottish universities. 10% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 25% in science and engineering, 57% in humanities and social sciences, 3% in art and design, 2% in drama and acting. Others typically go on to non-degree courses (eg business), into careers (eg finance) or to art/drama colleges.

Curriculum

S-grade, Intermediate 1 and 2, Highers and Advanced Highers; also GCSE art, AS and A-level art and music; IB offered as an alternative from 2011. Most highers are taken in the fifth year; however some are taken in sixth year in addition to, or instead of, Advanced Highers. 40% take science Advanced Highers, 44% arts/humanities; 16% both. Vocational: Extensive work experience available. Special provision: Highly specialised learning support department for pupils with specific learning difficulties including dyslexia; EFL teaching. Languages: French, German, Spanish and Russian offered to Intermediate 2, Higher and Advanced Higher; Italian to Intermediate 2 and Higher; Mandarin to Intermediate 2. Regular exchanges (France, Germany, Spain, China). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg research via internet. 720 computers for pupil use (8 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.

The arts

Music: Over 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Usually 20 musical groups including several orchestras, choirs, jazz band, string quartets. Drama and dance: Drama offered; S-grade, Intermediate 2, Higher and Advanced Higher drama may be taken. Many pupils are involved in school and other productions. Some pupils accepted for drama school. Art and design: On average, 60 pupils take GCSE, 50 AS-level, 25 A-level. Pupils regularly accepted for art college.

Sports & activities

Sport: Angling, athletics, badminton, basketball, cricket, cross-country, fencing, golf, gymnastics, hockey, orienteering, rowing, rugby, sailing, skiing, squash, table tennis, tennis and volleyball available. Intermediate 2 and Higher PE may be taken. Regional and national representatives at a variety of sports. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service taken by all in S6. Scout and guide groups. Over 30 clubs ranging from Model United Nations and role playing to photography and drama.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Office bearers, head boy and girl, head of house, team leaders - all recommended by pupils and appointed by Principal. School Council. Religion: Non-denominational. Social: Co-operation with other Merchant Company schools (Stewart's Melville, Mary Erskine) and other state and independent schools. Exchanges with France, Germany, Spain, Italy, South Africa, United States; many other organised trips abroad. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals self-service. School shop sells second-hand clothing.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once usually asked to do it within 24 hours; repeated offences incur a detention. Parents of those caught taking or supplying drugs on the premises would be asked to withdraw the pupil.

Association of former pupils

is run by Development Office at the school.

Former pupils

Sir Malcolm Rifkind, Sir David Steel, Chris Smith MP (politicians); Gavin Hastings, Scott Hastings and Jason White (rugby); Alison Kinnaird (clarsach); Eric Anderson (Eton College); Graham and Martin Bell (skiers); Magda Sweetland (novelist); Sheena MacDonald, Martha Kearney (broadcasters); Sir Chris Hoy (Olympic Gold cyclist); Mylo (DJ); Gillian Cook (World bobsleigh champion); Donald Runnicles (conductor).