The year 2022-23 was an exciting one for Cargilfield as we approached our 150th anniversary in 2023. In addition to the normal day-to-day and strategic challenges facing most independent schools, there has, therefore, been the excitement of creating an events programme that would bring different constituents of the School community together to celebrate this anniversary: reminding us all that Cargilfield was Scotland’s first preparatory school.
This year has seen us reach out to former pupils, parents, staff and governors and entertain them at the New Club in Edinburgh and at the House of Lords in the Palace of Westminster. We have held a musical concert and art exhibition for former pupils. We also filled the Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh to watch a 150 theatrical performance. We were delighted to welcome an audience of over 600 to watch children from Primary 1 to Form 8 perform in this show which told the story of the last 150 years of school, nation and world.
As the year came to a close, the Headmaster, Rob Taylor, and much of the senior management team were joined by children, staff, parents and governors – past and present - as they walked over 150km of the Western Front Way in Northern France and Belgium. This route was inspired by a former Cargilfield Head Boy, 2nd Lt Alexander Gillespie, whose body was never recovered at the Battle of Loos in 2015. Individual wreaths were laid at the graves or memorials of 65 old boys who died during the First World War. The Headmaster was joined by Emilie Murdoch of Form 4 and Jonathan Dunlop (the Head Boy at Cargilfield when we celebrated our centenary in 1973) in laying a wreath at the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate on 5th August.
The 150th anniversary celebrations continued by including a school beach day, the first Foundation Day, a special 150th service to mark the 100th anniversary of our memorial Chapel and an afternoon of former pupil hockey matches. The celebrations will close with an anniversary ball in the school grounds in June 2024.
This year also saw Cargilfield face two major inspections. The first was an unannounced inspection of its boarding provision by the Care Inspectorate in September 2022. This asked the question how the School supported the children’s rights and well-being and how children feel safe, well loved and get the most out of life. For both categories, the Care Inspectorate evaluated our performance as ‘5 - Very Good’, in a scale of 1-6.
In March 2023, we received three weeks’ notice of a full School Inspection from Education Scotland. This was a five day inspection involving three full-time members of the inspection team and supported by a visiting independent school headteacher and another lay inspector. An extremely rigorous process examined Cargilfield under the following categories:
Leadership of Change Learning, Teaching and Assessment Well-being, Equality and Inclusion Raising Attainment and Achievement
Again, we were pleased to be judged as ‘Very Good’ for the first three categories and absolutely delighted to receive ‘Excellent’ for raising attainment and achievement. This highest category is one that is used sparingly by Education Scotland and marks the School as genuinely sector leading. Our Lead Inspector described this performance as being something that would be worth travelling across the country to observe.
While external inspections are not the only means by which we evaluate our performance, there is no question that that this sort of rigorous and objective benchmarking offers reassurance to all members of the School community.
The School Nursery was not included in the Education Scotland review and is expecting its own inspection very soon. This was last inspected by the Care Inspectorate in March 2017, and was awarded ‘Very Good’ in both of the categories examined: quality of care and support; and quality of management and leadership. To conclude, the report stated that ‘The staff had high expectations for all children, resulting in confident, motivated, successful learners.’ Beach and Forest Nursery programmes as well as other aspects of outdoor learning remain especially popular.
We are delighted that both inspection reports reflected the strengths that Cargilfield exhibits within the teaching and learning and pastoral care offered within the School. This reflects the excellent work done by the teams of Curriculum and Pastoral Leaders. These are interested professionals who help to set strategy and review policies for curriculum and pastoral care. The pastoral team is new to Cargilfield this year and has been working hard to make better use of the School’s management information system and to start a review of behaviour and anti-bullying policies.
With an average of 14-15 pupils per class across the School, class sizes remained appropriate to the Cargilfield approach. In Form 8, 42 children sat 13+ Scholarship or Common Entrance, with all those leaving this year gaining entry into their chosen senior schools. A remarkable 31 scholarships were won by the leaving cohort - and these included 9 academic awards with the top awards at Harrow and Fettes within this group. We are proud of the School’s ongoing record for scholarship awards and the reputation we have built amongst some of Edinburgh’s top schools and the most selective boarding schools across the U.K.
The destination schools remain as diverse as the talents of the pupils themselves, and this year included, in Edinburgh, George Heriot’s School, Edinburgh Academy and Fettes College. Further afield in Scotland these included Glenalmond College, Kilgraston School and Strathallan School. Further south, Cargilfield pupils have been admitted to Harrow School, Marlborough College, Oundle School, Radley College, Sedbergh School, Shrewsbury School, Stowe School, Uppingham School, Westminster School and Wycombe Abbey. At Cargilfield our children make a strong community with lifelong friends, but are happy and confident to go forth to whatever senior school suits them the best, as an individual. For some that will be local day schools, for others boarding at some of Britain’s finest schools – near or far. The Headmaster and the whole school team are here to support children and their families understand and make these next-step decisions.
This year has seen a group of Form 8 children entering the UK Rocketry competition for the first time. As the only junior school in Scotland to have entered this competition, the team earned a special commendation.
Other academic highlights for the year included our sixth Book Festival (our best yet) and ongoing success in academic competitions such the Townsend Warner History competition, the Shrewsbury Science Competition and the UK Mathematics Challenge – at both junior and senior levels. We have enjoyed a series of science and technology workshops offered by Oundle School, Imperial College and the Institute of Engineering and Technology. We have also actively sought a wide range of speakers for the children.
This was another successful year for debating: one of the most prominent activities at Cargilfield. All senior children meet fortnightly to consider a range of topical and philosophical concepts and our senior team retained the Scottish Prep Schools’ Title.
The School continues to promote an all-round education in every way for each child. The music, art, design and technology departments provide an excellent outlet for the nurturing of specific talents, as well as offering cross-curricular opportunities into the main academic syllabus.
The School continues to promote an all-round education in every way for each child. The music, art, design and technology departments provide an excellent outlet for the nurturing of specific talents, as well as offering cross-curricular opportunities into the main academic syllabus.
Art continues to be a strength at Cargilfield and a popular activity that runs throughout the day with break-time and extra clubs. The Art Scholars’ group remains a goal for talented and enthusiastic artists at the top of the School. Their weekend trip to Hospitalfield House and regular day trips to Edinburgh galleries allow us to make best use of local and regional facilities.
Music is a significant part of school life. Recorded weekly concerts which can be easily shared with more distant family and friends are a throwback to COVID but now supplement the regular pattern of live performance in many different formats. Indeed, 90% of children aged 8 and above are learning musical instruments (over a third of the Upper School learn more than one) and there were 14 different groups or ensembles playing in the Summer term with a total of 147 participants. Of the 97 music exams taken last year, 28% were passed with a distinction and 51% were passed with a merit. Seven children in the school have now achieved Grade 5 in music theory.
Theatre and drama continue to be an important at Cargilfield. In addition to the year-group plays across the School, the 150th anniversary gave is a special focus for a whole-school performance. We are grateful to a former Cargilfield family who supported us in taking over a professional theatre for our performance in the last week of the year. As with art and music, those children who wish to focus on performance are able to be part of a group of drama scholars. The weekly evening club also worked towards a lovely informal performance in the school library in March.
A key feature of Cargilfield life is a daily programme of games for all children in the Upper School and the range of sporting fixtures available to children of different ages and abilities is impressive. Once again, we had three teams represent Scotland in the IAPS Hockey Finals. The first rugby and netball teams were both the strongest on our circuit but, more importantly, we have now established touring opportunities for boys and girls at under 11 and under 13 age groups. These are offered to all those keen to participate and not just those selected for the first team.
2023 saw further development of girls’ cricket with regular fixtures at different age groups alongside those for the boys. Our athletes enjoyed their most successful performance in many years at a rather damp Scottish Prep Schools Finals. The provision of Outdoor Pursuits, for those children wanting an alternative to team sports, continues to grow.
In summary, I am extremely grateful to the staff, parents, my fellow Governors of Cargilfield School and, most importantly, the pupils whose efforts allowed for such a successful and memorable year. This continues to re-inforce the idea of Cargilfield as one of the premier preparatory schools in the U.K.
CHARITABLE FUNDRAISING
Given our location in Scotland, we are proud of our involvement in activities that make the most of our wonderful environment and surroundings. The whole school turned out for our annual ‘Pentland Round’: a 20km ridge walk raising money for our school charities. A bothy weekend and monroe bagging trips have also proved popular. Senior children now regularly work towards the national navigation awards.
The annual Pentland Round and the School Summer fair were enthusiastically supported by pupils and parents alike and both events were blessed with fine weather. The School selected three charities to support this year, with one charity selected by each of the Pre-prep and Upper School children and one selected by Friends of Cargilfield. These charities were The Love Oliver, St Columba’s Hospice and Canine Partners.
In addition to the fundraising for the School’s three nominated charities, other specific fundraising activities, including our Pre-prep ceilidh, Harvest Festival and Valentine’s disco, during the year allowed the School to support the Poppy Appeal, Comic Relief, St Columba’s Hospice, Pakistan Flood 2022 appeal and Fresh Start.
BURSARY AWARDS
There is a continued emphasis from the School and the Board of Governors to use bursaries to enable access to pupils from a wide range of backgrounds and to maintain the social mix and diversity of the School. Bursary support is available from Form 4 and includes 100% awards. This has enabled some children to attend the School who would not otherwise have been able to do so and is accompanied by appropriate guidance when such pupils are looking at senior school places. Recent years have seen the beneficiaries of the bursary scheme move on to fully assisted places at major public schools in both Scotland and England.
Girl 1 Was a successful leader at Cargilfield and won a music scholarship to a major Scottish boarding school.
Boy 1 Won an academic scholarship to a major Scottish boarding school.
Girl 2 Won a scholarship to a major English boarding school.
Boy 2 Was a prolific sportsman and won a scholarship to a major English boarding school.
Girl 3 Won a music award and was given a subsequent bursary to a major Scottish boarding school.
Boy 3 Was appointed a prefect and won a sports scholarship to a major Scottish boarding school.
FUTURE PLANS
Our future plans reflect our ongoing commitment to an all–round education for our children within a flexible boarding and day environment. This will be delivered by a professional, well-trained and highly motivated staff. We were pleased to see this confirmed in the recent inspection reports but we recognise that Cargilfield must continue to develop its practice if it is to remain one of the best preparatory schools in the United Kingdom.
In the light of existing extra costs imposed upon Scottish independent schools (and those in the offing), it is more important than ever that strong governance and effective management focus on delivering the best education in a cost-effective manner.
This will include making sure that a Cargilfield education meets the needs of our families. We intend to repeat the parental survey conducted last year as well as regular staff welfare surveys. These will help us to make sure Cargilfield remains the school of choice for children and staff. This information will help to inform the strategy set by governors.
In addition, we plan to develop further the quality of pastoral care, publishing new anti-bullying and behaviour policies. These will work to include the children as mentors and make better use of their voice as gathered through the likes of School and Boarders’ Councils, and the Food and Library Committees. We plan to support staff further with responsive training and the chance to reflect with the Anchor Practice on the pastoral support that they offer the children.
Cargilfield celebrates academic success through small classes and effective teaching towards ambitious outcomes. While this rigour includes the best of a traditional curriculum, technology plays an increasing part in school life. In helping our children to make the best use of recent developments in artificial intelligence and apply creativity and teamwork in problem-solving, we will surely prepare them for the world that they will face as adults.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Cargilfield is proud of its position in the community.
The Cargilfield buildings and grounds are available to hire for a wide range of activities and events and has over the years has fostered many ties with its local community. The Pipe Band has played regularly in the local area; various musical groups have established a performance routine at a local nursing home, and Cargilfield continues to maintain its very close links with Cramond Kirk and Holy Cross, Davidsons Mains. The Sports Hall has been used regularly by Royal High Corstorphine Cricket Club and various other groups in the Edinburgh area for badminton, cricket, fencing, netball, football and hockey. Cramond Primary School uses the facilities at the School, including holding its annual sports day at Cargilfield.
The Cargilfield Activity Week during the summer is open not only to Cargilfield children, but also to others in the Edinburgh area. Similar holiday coaching camps for football, fencing, outdoor adventures, tennis, netball and hockey are also hosted. A weekly theatre group also meet on Saturday afternoons at Cargilfield. The annual Christmas Fair returned on site in 2022.
We look very favourably on all applications from outside Cargilfield to use Cargilfield grounds and facilities. Some of the groups which use Cargilfield do so free of charge. In other cases, there is a very low hourly-rate.
Breadth of Experience
The School will continue to seek partnership opportunities that allow its facilities to be used during the School holidays and at weekends. This can bring in valuable additional revenue for the School but more importantly helps to foster better links with local schools, sports clubs and community groups and provides a range of sporting, drama and other activities for Cargilfield pupils and others to enjoy.
Welfare
The pastoral care of our children is essential to Cargilfield’s values and its success. This exists within the framework of a family-run environment which is both a school and a second home to many children. We have continued a programme of training staff in managing the welfare and mental health issues facing children today. This process is underpinned by staff who are trained specifically in mental health first aid, our School Nurse and external professionals, who is available to support both children and their families.
A significant feature underpinning the care this year has been the development of a regular relationship with the Anchor Practice in Edinburgh to make sure that we are offering the very best mental health support for our children as well as the best training and advice for staff and parents. Paul Bell, the practice’s clinical director has visited us once a week and given advice and training to staff as well as meeting individual children and helping us to review our policies.
We have developed the internal safeguarding team to make for more effective weekly meetings and review of pastoral concerns. This has included more detailed review of attendance data and producing an updated safeguarding policy. Personal, Social and Health Education has been re-branded as Health and Well-Being and has included more team teaching to involve form teachers alongside expert teaching.
Communication and Recruitment
The last twelve months have also seen some significant changes in the management and governance of the School. Lord Sinclair, a former pupil and parent of the School stepped up to chair the Board just before the start of the year and this marked his first full year in charge. The announcement of John Collins’ retirement as Bursar at the end of the year launched a recruitment process and we were delighted to recruit Kirsty Lukas from April 2023, allowing for a period of time for handover and completing outstanding projects. At the same time, the School opted to re-organise its senior management team to be ready for future challenges.
2022-23 also saw the appointment of new houseparents to manage the boarding at Cargilfield. The dynamic approach of Lindsay and Lizzie Kerr has helped us to grow numbers of flexi and weekly boarders and to strengthen the boarding team. They have been developing plans for upgrading the boarding hub, replacing the former surgery.
On the appointment of Jan Harber to a management position in the junior school at Dollar Academy, we were delighted Tiffany Murdoch as our new Head of Nursery from Easter.
Developments in Teaching and Learning have included the development of reading at Cargilfield. The appointment of Mrs Bruce as a school librarian has helped children in selecting reading material as well as making better use of the main library facility. Lunchtime reading sessions for children from the Nursery through to Form 8 have been especially enjoyed. The development of Star Reading tests have supported children in targeting the best books for individual readers and Accelerated Reader has provided enjoyable competition in reviewing their reading and scoring points in a divisional competition.
In challenging times for independent schools across the United Kingdom, Cargilfield is working hard to consolidate its position within the Edinburgh, Scottish and British markets. Pupil recruitment remains strong and record numbers in the Nursery are supported by full classes in Primary 1. We are meeting as many prospective families as we can remember from pre-COVID times. Indeed, we expect to be operating waiting lists at the bottom of the School next year. The appointment of Tina Liversidge as a new Head of Marketing will help us in that process of recruitment.
Facilities and Environment
Within this future, we will need to be mindful of our environment and we are starting to assess our journey towards carbon neutrality.
See the school accounts at the bottom of this page.
Matthew joined the Board of Governors in 2021. He is a former pupil of the school and a former parent. From Cargilfield Matthew went on to Glenalmond College and graduated from the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester in 1992. He qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 1994, whilst working for a national firm of Surveyors, progressing to associate partner, before leaving and founding Saint Property in 2000, a property search, acquisition and advisory business throughout Scotland. He is the past chairman of the Scottish Land and Estates South West Region and past chairman of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust Scottish Auction. He currently holds a number of trustee posts for family estates. He is the owner of Knocknalling Farms, a farming and forestry enterprise in Galloway, and was appointed Lord-Lieutenant for the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright in July 2021.
Sally has two children both of whom attended Cargilfield before going on to Glenalmond College. She chaired the Friends of Cargilfield for almost three years and has always been a keen supporter of the school. Sally worked as a solicitor in Edinburgh working in commercial/civil litigation and latterly criminal cases before ‘retiring’ to bring up her children. She then became involved in supporting several charities and is now employed part-time advising a Family Trust. Whilst her days as a keen sportswoman are long behind her she enjoys country sports, entertaining and skiing badly.
Following school at University College School, Hampstead, Andrew read Classics at Pembroke College, Cambridge. He began his career at Brentwood School before joining Harrow School in 1987, where he taught for three decades. He was House Master of The Head Master’s before his appointment to Harrow’s Senior Management Team in September 2012. As Senior Tutor, he oversaw safeguarding and child protection as well as other areas of pastoral care and pupil welfare. Andrew takes a keen interest in all forms of sport. He is a published playwright with a love of musical theatre and continues to use his tenor voice wherever possible (most recently with Chelmsford Cathedral Choir). Andrew joined the Board in 2018. He is a member of the Education and Welfare Committee and Chair of the Safeguarding Committee.
Brian has two children who spent a combined 14 years at Cargilfield. He is an avid Cargilfield sports fan who has tagged along on eight sports tours involving rugby, hockey and netball and stood pitch-side for countless matches. Brian hails from Canada and has been living in the UK with his family since 2012. After graduating in Astronomy from Columbia University, Brian entered the quantitative trading world in New York. After some years at Chemical Bank and Interactive Brokers, he founded Hardcastle Trading in Switzerland in 1998 where he served as CEO until 2012 and more recently as chairman. Brian spent his teenage years at a Scottish traditional boarding school in Canada and is delighted to be associated with Cargilfield. He is Chair of the FGP and Vice Chair of the Board.
A former parent and former pupil of Cargilfield, David joined the Board of Governors in 2021. Both of his children started their education at Cargilfield in the Pre-Prep. One is still at Cargilfield, the other progressed to Uppingham School in 2019.
David graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1992 and completed an MBA at the University of Edinburgh in 2002. He is a Chartered Surveyor and has worked in both London and Edinburgh. In 2008, he co-founded Hendersonherd, an advisory business specialising in commercial property finance and investment.
David is trustee to a number of charities. These support improved access to secondary and tertiary education in Scotland. They also provide support for the physical and mental rehabilitation of Veterans.
Holly was a parent at Cargilfield from 2006 until 2019. During that time, the family moved from Edinburgh to Stirlingshire and embraced boarding life at Cargilfield (she also spent many hours manning the second-hand uniform cupboard)!
Holly graduated with a degree in Modern Languages and Business in 1992 before working abroad and then pursuing a career in Financial Recruitment and Training in London.
Since living in Scotland, she has spent her time juggling homelife, with one child still at Uppingham, one at Edinburgh College following a course for students with additional needs and a ‘grown up’ child at University. She has a particular interest and experience with special educational needs and autism.
Holly is a keen sportswoman and has spent many years supporting school teams. In her free time she enjoys most outdoor pursuits, travelling and looking after the family’s animals.
Anna is an experienced strategy, change, and communications professional with a strong leadership background in financial services, agri-foods, and the pharmaceutical sector. She has worked at senior levels in both the UK and across various European countries, bringing a wealth of experience to her governance role. Having spent much of her childhood in Australia, Anna brings a global perspective to her approach. She completed her studies at the University of Aberdeen before relocating to London, where she lived for ten years, gaining further professional and personal insights along the way.
In her personal life, Anna is a mother of two boys, who both have attended Cargilfield School. Outside of work and governance, Anna is passionate about current affairs and enjoys staying active, particularly through running and Pilates. Her diverse experience, international perspective, and active engagement in her community make Anna a valuable asset to the school governance team.
Rob is a Partner at international law firm CMS. He joined CMS’ Aberdeen office in 1998, having trained and practised in Edinburgh post-qualification in the early 1990s. He helped establish CMS’ office in Edinburgh in 2001 and was managing Partner of that office until 2014. Rob specialises in dispute resolution in the energy and construction sectors. He is a Writer to His Majesty’s Signet, a Liveryman of the City of London Solicitor’s Company and a Member of the Royal Company of Merchants in Edinburgh. Rob is married to Suzie, also a lawyer, and they have three children. Rob’s grandfather and great-uncle attended Cargilfield School and his great-uncle is commemorated on the Memorial to those that died in the Great War in the School’s Chapel. Rob is also a Director and Company Secretary of Strathardle Highland Gathering. He enjoys archery, golf and country sports. Rob is also a member of the Chapter House Singers in Edinburgh which regularly sings the services in St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh.
Peter works closely with fellow governors and school leaders to support staff and help maintain the high standards of a Cargilfield education, with a key focus on the Education and Welfare Committee and the People Project. With over 20 years of experience in senior roles at Charterhouse, Merchiston Castle School, and Stowe, he has worked across all areas of school life - pastoral, academic, and co-curricular - and has somehow still found time to play semi-professional cricket.
Now overseeing partnerships and operations for the Chartered Management Institute in Scotland, Peter is passionate about promoting leadership and building strong connections with universities, colleges, and organisations. His approach to leadership style revolves around empathy, energy, and collaboration, while maintaining a strong focus on practical governance and staff wellbeing. What attracted Peter to Cargilfield was the strong sense of community among staff, pupils, and parents, as well as the school’s vibrant atmosphere.
Peter and his wife, Alice, are proud parents to three teenagers—Rosie, James, and Isla.
Cargilfield School was founded in 1873 as a Charitable Trust, with the principal object of providing the best education for its pupils.
The Headmaster is in charge of the day-to-day management of the School, and reports to the Board of Governors. The School’s strategic decisions are made by the Board, which is also charged with ensuring the long-term stability and effectiveness of the Charity. It is intended that the Board of Governors comprises around 12 members, who will contribute a variety of skills and experiences appropriate to the functions of the School. In addition to education, it is particularly important that the Board can offer leadership in legal, financial, medical, property and commercial matters.
The Company is governed by its Articles of Association.
The Governing Body meets at least three times a year and is assisted in its work by a series of sub-committees: The Finance and General Purposes (FGP) Committee, the Governance and Nominations (GN) Committee, the Education and Welfare Committee, the Health and Safety Committee and the Safeguarding Committee. All of the Committees meet at least once a term, while the other committees meet at least twice a year. The FGP Committee is the Audit Committee for the Charity. Details of the remit of each committee may be found on the School website.
The Governors are appointed by the Board for an initial term not exceeding four years. Governors are eligible to serve a second four-year term, but can be elected for a third only in exceptional circumstances defined by the Articles. The composition of the Board is set to reflect a mix of past and current parents, former pupils, education professionals and independents with particularly relevant expertise. The position is unpaid.
The Chairman of the Board is Lord Matthew Sinclair.
The Board encourages an open communications policy. Its members are in attendance at a range of school events, and meet frequently with representatives of the Friends of Cargilfield and the School staff.
While more formal issues or queries should be addressed to the Headmaster in the first instance, the Chairman of the Board can always be contacted through the school office. This can be done by post - see below:
Clerk to the Governors,
45 Gamekeeper’s Road,
Edinburgh EH4 6HU
Or by email to [email protected], for the attention of ‘Clerk to the Governors’.
The Governors have agreed the following enduring objectives to underpin the general strategic direction of the school:
Supplemented by the work of its committees, the full Board meets at least once a term. The Board’s main objective is to formulate a clear strategy and direction for the School, in partnership with the Headmaster and his Senior Management Team, while ensuring its financial stability. The members of the Board support the leadership and administration of the School both directly, and through the appointment of appropriate external advisers.
At each termly meeting, the Board takes reports from the Headmaster and the Bursar addressing the broad educational, pastoral and financial needs of the School, and always considers critical issues such as child protection, health & safety and a broad review of potential risks. The reports of the various committees described below are tabled and discussed. In addition, the Board holds a strategy meeting early in the Spring Term of each year to consider the longer term direction and management of Cargilfield.
The Finance and General Purposes Committee, assisted by the Headmaster and the Bursar, is responsible for overseeing the financial performance and outlook of the School. The committee recommends to the Board proposals on capital expenditure, fees, staff contracts and employment conditions, and the strategy for pupil and staff numbers. It is responsible for overseeing the investment of financial reserves, and for reviewing the annual accounts. In addition to its responsibility for overseeing risk assessment and mitigation, the FGP also carries the remit for ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory matters such as Charity and Company law. The FGP committee oversees the property of the School. This includes the maintenance of the existing estate, the management of the assets and new building works. Health and Safety issues are considered by an internal committee with a direct report to the full Board.
The FGP committee meets at least once a term and is supported in its work by the Company Secretary (Chiene & Tait), the Auditor (Whitelaw Wells), and HR consultants (Navigator). The Chairman of the FGP is Mr Brian Thomson.
The Education and Welfare Committee focuses on the aims, delivery and performance of the curriculum while also guiding and reviewing pastoral care.
The Safeguarding Committee overseas all matters of safeguarding at Cargilfield and, in particular, the work of the staff on the Safeguarding Team at the School. The Committee has oversight of safeguarding policies as well as the day to day practice at Cargilfield. The Chair of the Committee is Mr Andrew MacGregor.
The Governing Body meets at least three times a year and is assisted in its work by a series of sub-committees: The Finance and General Purposes (FGP) Committee, the Governance and Nominations (GN) Committee, the Education and Welfare Committee, the Health and Safety Committee and the Safeguarding Committee. All of the Committees meet at least once a term, while the other committees meet at least twice a year. The FGP Committee is the Audit Committee for the Charity. Details of the remit of each committee may be found on the School website.
Cargilfield Accounts 2022