Government HMIE inspections for both teaching and pastoral care have passed the school at the highest level. Headmasters from senior schools endorse Cargilfield as an excellent school, producing highly motivated children.
Don’t take our word for it.
Government HMIE inspections for both teaching and pastoral care have passed the school at the highest level. Head teachers from various senior schools also speak very highly of Cargilfield and in particular about the children at the school. Don’t take our word for it, whilst this website gives you our view of Cargilfield’s strengths and attributes, there are a number of sources of entirely independent advice and opinions that parents can seek when selecting a school for their child.
Government Inpsections
Both the Scottish Government HMIE (Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education) and the Care Standards Commission have a duty to check all educational establishments in Scotland on a regular basis. These inspections and reports are both rigorous and independent and they provide parents with an ideal benchmark as to the quality of education and care their children receive at Cargilfield. The latest inspection team identified the following key strengths at Cargilfield:
- A positive climate and welcoming environment in which pupils feel safe and secure.
- Happy, confident and mature pupils who identified strongly with the boarding house and with the school.
- Hardworking staff who were committed to the care and welfare of the children
- Good practice in many areas such as health and safety which is underpinned by sound policies and effective communication procedures
- The strong leadership provided by the Headmaster and his management team; the development of teamwork, the quality of learning, teaching and attainment
- Making sure that children participate in assessing and improving the quality of care and support.
Head Teachers of Senior Schools
Cargilfield sends children to over 25 senior schools in Scotland and England. These individual schools are well aware of the academic performance of Cargilfield pupils as well as their character and ability to thrive at each senior school. Here are a few comments from some of the head teachers:
“Cargilfield is in extremely good heart at present, it is led by an inspirational Headmaster, but what is also so impressive is the quality of the staff and their commitment to all aspects of the way of Cargilfield life, both within and out of the classroom.” Andrew Hunter, Headmaster of Merchiston
“Cargilfield boys and girls are invariably balanced and practical but with the potential for a spiritual dimension. They have aspirations and often dreams but these are tempered by a sense of realism and what is possible in life. They have also without exception been well taught.” Mark Piper, Headmaster of Gordonstoun
“There is no such thing as a typical product from Cargilfield School. They seem to come in all shapes and sizes. We have had children from Cargilfield who have excelled in sport, in music, on the stage and academically. We have also had children from Cargilfield who have not excelled in any field but have contributed enormously to our community through being good friends and tackling every challenge with good natured enthusiasm.” Fr Gabriel, Headmaster of Ampleforth College
“What is also so revealing about Cargilfield pupils is that they are courteous, civilised young men and women with a sense of humour.” Andrew Hunter, Headmaster of Merchiston
“Cargilfield is a school which values the individual and allows each boy and girl to develop their own strengths. The children are celebrated for who they are and grow into happy, well-adjusted young adults.” Fr Gabriel, Headmaster of Ampleforth
“We currently have six Cargilfield children at Oundle and all are thriving. They have been well-prepared for life here; they come across as calm, confident and assured; they are generally bright and understated. They make a fundamentally good impression for the right reasons and are noticed within the Oundle community, containing many talented children, for being contributors with high standards. We greatly value our connection with Cargilfield.” Charles Bush, Headmaster of Oundle
The Good Schools Guide
This is a guide produced by parents for parents and is a wholly independent publication commenting on the character and success of particular schools in the United Kingdom. Various comments from the latest guide include:
“John Elder said that he would focus on Cargilfield as a family school with superb facilities, preparing children for the great schools on Scotland and the South – and he has.”
“There is a huge choice of activities ranging from kayaking to international coaching in fishing, shooting, fencing, judo and hockey.”
“2007 saw the new girls’ wing open in a stunning revamp of former classrooms.”
“One of the best learning support departments in Scotland.”
