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Where Learning is an Everyday Adventure

Cargilfield is a busy school. Established in 1873, we are the oldest private junior school in Scotland and we know how to make the school day a happy one but also a fulfilling experience. We give our children the best start to their learning before they move on to the leading senior schools in Edinburgh, Scotland and the U.K.

We believe that children leave Cargilfield with lively, enquiring minds and with a confidence in who they are, in their values, and in their contribution to our community. We achieve this by good teaching, by setting high expectations and by making sure that learning isn’t just what happens in a classroom.

Watercolour painting of our private prep school in Edinburgh

What we’ve been up to!

Scholarship Success!

Well done, Miranda!

Mini Concert 15.3.24

Well done to all those who performed!

How do I Choose a Private Nursery for my Child?

Choosing the right early years setting for your child can be daunting

Developmental Milestones for Nursery children

Listen to our latest podcast!

Learning for the 21st Century

Our longer days, smaller class sizes and lots of staff contact together with our beautiful campus allow us the space to develop our children in ways that are not always open to other schools. Extended breaks, sports every day, eating with staff at lunchtime, the huge variety of musical opportunities and more than 70 after-school club activities make this an incredibly dynamic place to be, but also one where we have the time and space as staff to really get to know our children.

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Two children learning through play outside at our private primary school

A Broad Education

Prep school ought to be the happiest of times: building friendships – some of which will last a lifetime; building special experiences and memories; building resilience, growing confidence and establishing values. We give children the confidence to enjoy future challenges and opportunities; building a sense of identity and belonging that means children are proud to have been at Cargilfield.

Cargilfield independent day and boarding school provides a challenging educational environment backed up by excellent pastoral care. We aim to stretch and nurture our children whilst always aiming to provide the highest teaching standards in small classes.

We believe in an all-round education and strive to allow every child to make the most of their abilities whether in the classroom, on the games field or in the theatre or concert hall. This prepares the children to be successful at a senior school that best suits their abilities and ambitions.

Cargilfield is a place of challenge, of courtesy and of a great deal of fun, and we hope you enjoy looking through our website to find out more about our school.

Our Credibility
Children hiking on a trip with Cargilfield private boarding school Edinburgh

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