Founded in 1824; Sir Walter Scott was one of the founding spirits. The senior school buildings include the handsome original hall, and the playing fields are a short walk from the school. It is well known as a civilised establishment which provides an extremely thorough, broad education. Originally a boys' school, girls have been admitted to the sixth form since 1977 and the school has been fully co-educational since 2008. It is non-denominational within the Christian tradition; there are monthly school services. The Academy has a tradition of academic excellence - it achieves high standards of scholarship and very good examination results while providing for the whole person. The creative subjects - drama, art and music - are particularly strong and have been enhanced by the creation of a recently opened performing arts centre. Performances and exhibitions are held regularly for the general city public. High standards are also attained in sport and games of which there is a wide range. There are many extra-curricular activities and considerable emphasis is placed on outdoor pursuits (it has its own field centre in the Highlands). The CCF contingent is strong and the Pipe Band celebrated its centenary in 2009. The Academy has a good record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. Much use is made of Edinburgh's cultural amenities and there is an interesting programme of visiting lecturers.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 944 day pupils (737 boys, 207 girls). Lower school 3-10, 342 pupils (247 boys, 95 girls). Upper school 10-18, 602 pupils (490 boys, 112 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 5, 10, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam. No special religious requirements.
Scholarships, to a maximum value of £500 pa: academic, art, music and sport . Means-tested bursaries widely available.
15+% are doctors, lawyers; some in media or creative arts; 15+% in industry or commerce. 80+% live within 30 miles.
Rector: Marco Longmore, in post from 2007. Previously Deputy Head of Alleyn's, Head of History and Modern Studies at George Watson's and Head of Year at George Heriot's. Teaching staff: 51 full time, 11 part time (plus 11 part time music staff). Annual turnover 5%. Average age 43.
GCSE: 73 pupils in S4, 93% gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Highers and A-level: 56 in Higher and 79 in A-level year. Pupils achieve an average final point score of 363.
Over 90% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (approx 15% after a gap year or foundation course). 5% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 25% in science and engineering, 8% in law, 40% in humanities and social sciences, 15% in art and design. Others typically go on to FE, work experience or foreign pupils return home.
GCSE, Highers, A-levels. 20 subjects offered (no A-level general studies). 34% take science subjects, 39% arts/humanities and 27% both. Special provision: Support for pupils with specific learning difficulties who are otherwise able to cope with the curriculum. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered at GCSE, Higher and A-level (one language compulsory from age 11 to GCSE). Regular exchanges (some for up to 1 year) and visits to France, Germany and Spain. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg graphics skills, spreadsheets. 50 computers for pupil use (8 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups including orchestras, choir, dance, concert, wind bands, chamber music groups, pipe band. Pupil member of National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and of Edinburgh Youth Orchestra. Drama: Drama offered in the curriculum. Major programme of school and house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 20 Higher, 15 A-level. Design, pottery and jewellery also offered.
Sport: Rugby or hockey (main winter sports); cricket, tennis and athletics (summer). Optional: football, weights & fitness, netball, basketball, dance, cross-country, squash, swimming, fives, shooting, sailing, skiing, judo, golf, badminton. Recent Scottish Schools or national age group honours in athletics, cricket, squash, rugby, hockey, skiing and basketball. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF compulsory for 1 year at age 14. Community service as an alternative in sixth form. Regular whole-school fund-raising with an annual target of £10K+. Up to 15 clubs, eg science, literary, art, politics, Scripture Union, dance and chess.
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses (Divisions). Prefects (Ephors), head boy, head of house and house prefects - Ephors appointed by Rector after nomination by pupils and staff. Religion: Non-denominational morning prayers for whole school; weekly RE teaching period for all. Social: Regular concerts, drama productions, debates, Burns Suppers, organised trips and exchange systems.
Graded punishments. Parents of pupils failing to produce homework more than once might expect detention; pupils caught smoking cannabis on the premises may expect automatic expulsion.
Edinburgh Academical Club, is run by the Secretary, Mr Alan Fyfe, c/o the school.
Magnus Magnusson (journalist and broadcaster); Paul Jones (Radio 2 DJ); Lord (Kenneth) Cameron (Lord Advocate); Giles Gordon (literary agent); Robert Louis Stevenson (writer); Nicky Campbell (radio/tv presenter); Guy Berryman, (guitarist in Coldplay); James Clerk Maxwell (mathematician and physicist).
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