A Welcome from the Head
Cargilfield is a small, friendly Prep School for boys and girls from the
age of 3 to 13 years, situated on the outskirts of Edinburgh by the lovely
village of Cramond and near Edinburgh airport, with easy access also over
the Forth Road Bridge. 270 children are educated at Scotland's oldest Prep
School, which was founded in 1873, now combining the traditional ethos with
the best of modern educational practice and facilities.
We are a wholly independent school with no ties to any particular
senior school, preparing boys and girls for secondary education
both in Edinburgh and other parts of Scotland, but also in
England. Pupils, who are taught in small groups (between
12 and 16), move onto a variety of schools: Ampleforth, Downe
House, Eton, Fettes, Glenalmond, Gordonstoun, Harrow, Loretto,
Merchiston, Oundle, Queen Margaret's York, Radley, Rugby,
Shrewsbury and Winchester. We are proud of our academic record:
42 Awards being gained in the last six years with a very
strong showing in Classics, Mathematics, English, French,
Music and Art.
There is a choice of day education, flexi and weekly boarding
and also two-weekly boarding. This choice fits individual
lifestyles and we are delighted that so many boys and girls
opt for one type of the boarding option. Many of the Cargilfield
children will be day children and their education can be
a full twelve hour one from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
In addition to the normal curriculum, we offer a tremendous
range of out-of-school activities which numbers over 60.
These activities cater for both boys and girls, little ones
and older ones; there is a also a thriving Music Department
with over 200 teaching lessons per week and all children
may be in a play at some stage during the year.
During the last few years, Cargilfield has begun a very exciting modernisation
programme: a new Pre-Prep Department and Nursery was opened
in 2003; £100,000 was spent on two new I.C.T. Suites
and I.C.T. software; a new Science Department and astro-turf
were opened at the end of 2004.
Headmaster & children walking the Pentland RoundAt the end of last term, a new two-floor teaching block, housing Modern
Languages, Geography, Mathematics and all of Form 4 was opened; a new Music
School opened and the girls moved into a new boarding house in May 2007.
All the changing rooms and kitchens were refurbished in the summer term
of 2007.
The recent H.M.I. and National Care Inspections grade Cargilfield
at the highest possible level: we are all very proud of the
way that the pupils and teachers contribute so much to the
friendly and supportive community that is Cargilfield. The
challenge of youth is ever-present and although we do have
plenty of new buildings and equipment, boarding and day Preparatory
School is so much more: to learn to help others; to make
the most of each talent; to be courteous; and to have a sense
of humour - these are our top priorities.
I have been a Headmaster for 23 years - previously at Beeston Hall in North
Norfolk and Malsis in North Yorkshire - and it continues to be a tremendous
privilege to work in a dynamic, purposeful and caring place.
